Resolves of the Executive Council

Resolved, That the Executive Council, meeting in Durham, New Hampshire, June 10-13, 2002 reaffirms its existing Sudan policy of the 2000 General Convention (A130) and the resolution adopted by the Executive Council on October 17, 2001 in Jacksonville, FL; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council is committed to monitoring the peace process in Sudan to ensure that the Episcopal Church supports policies consistent with a just and fair peace and the aspirations of our Church partners; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council commends The Rev. John C. Danforth from Missouri and special envoy for the United States, for his efforts in helping to bring about a cease-fire in the Nuba Mountain region of Sudan, as well as the adoption by the warring parties of related “confidence building” measures intended to reduce civilian deaths and disease; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council joins Senator Danforth in urging the United States Government to increase its involvement in bringing about meaningful peace negotiations between the Government of Sudan and the Sudanese Peoples’ Liberation Movement, with a particular emphasis on:

Bringing about an early cease fire in the Upper Nile region, particularly in the oil producing and oil exploration areas where heavy fighting and government-sponsored ethnic cleansing have taken place over the past several years;

Protecting the legitimate rights of the southern Sudanese to oil and water resources in their part of Sudan against unjust exploitation by the Government of Sudan, third countries, and foreign commercial interests

Stopping religious persecution by the Government of Sudan and its militias

Assuring that Sharia law is not imposed on southern Sudan or on Christians elsewhere in Sudan.