In an indication of its growing concern about Islamic fundamentalism, the State Department has announced it is adding the eastern African nation of Sudan to its list of countries considered state sponsors of international terrorism.
Among the reasons Sudan was placed on the list was its support for terrorist organizations, including the Abu Nidal group, Hezbollah and Palestine Islamic Jihad.
“The evidence currently available indicates that Sudan allows the use of its territory as sanctuary for terrorists, including the Abu Nidal organization and members of Hezbollah and Palestine Islamic Jihad,” State Department spokesman Mike McCurry said Wednesday in announcing Sudan’s addition to the list.
Secretary of State Warren Christopher made the decision to add Sudan following a 180-day State Department review of Sudan’s links to terrorist activities.
McCurry said that Christopher’s decision was independent of reports linking Sudan to the recent alleged bombing plot against various New York City sites.
“The secretary disregarded any possible information about the alleged bombing plot in New York in reaching this decision,” McCurry said.
As a result of being placed on the terrorism list, Sudan will be ineligible for most forms of U.S. assistance.
But Sudan was not receiving large amounts of American aid to begin with.
McCurry said that, apart from financial considerations, “the thrust of this decision will be to isolate Sudan from the community of civilized nations.”
Other countries currently on the terrorism list are Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea and Syria.
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