| Video
Remarks on South Sudan
John Kerry, Secretary of State
Juba, South Sudan
May 2, 2014
I just completed an in-depth,
very frank, and thorough discussion with President Kiir. And throughout the
meeting, I think it’s fair to say that both of us spoke very candidly, very
directly, and we got to the issues that I came here to discuss. Throughout the
meeting, I made it clear to him that he needs to do everything in his power to
end the violence, and also to begin a process of national dialogue, a process
by which there is the beginning of discussions – real discussions – about a
transition government that can bring peace to the country.
It’s fair to say that President
Kiir was very open and very thoughtful and had thought even before this meeting
about these issues.
I’ve told President Kiir that the
choices that both he and the opposition face are stark and clear, and that the
unspeakable human costs that we have seen over the course of the last months,
and which could even grow if they fail to sit down, are unacceptable to the
global community.
I just spoke a few minutes ago to
Prime Minister Hailemariam of Ethiopia to convey to him President Kiir’s
willingness to travel to Addis Ababa in the near term, sometime early next week
hopefully, in order to engage in a discussion with Prime Minister Hailemariam,
and hopefully with Riek Machar, who had previously indicated to the prime
minister a willingness to do so. And I hope to talk to him sometime later in
the course of today to encourage him to do so. |
