Civilian-Protection Plan Gains Ground

The government of Sudan has indicated a willingness to allow an international mechanism to monitor and prevent attacks against civilians, the U.S. State Department said.

Spokesman Richard Boucher said agreement has not yet been received from the rebel Sudanese People’s Liberation Army, which has been at war with the Khartoum-based government since 1983.

The Bush administration had been attempting to press the parties toward peace but suspended the effort last month after an army helicopter attack on civilians assembled at a humanitarian relief distribution point.