Clinton to unveil US Sudan policy

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday will unveil a new US policy toward Sudan that deepens engagement but steps up pressure on Khartoum on human rights.

Clinton, accompanied by US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice and Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration to hold a 1300 GMT briefing at the State Department announcing details of the program, according to a press release Sunday.

The New York Times reported last week that the policy shift will include dialogue with Sudan's leadership and firm deadlines on fulfilling promises made under a 2005 deal with rebels from southern Sudan.

President Barack Obama's administration began a review of its Sudan policy in March, but faces a complicated situation that includes ongoing tension over a 2005 peace agreement between Khartoum and southern Sudan that has not been fully implemented.

The administration has come under pressure from human rights groups for treading too gingerly with the government of Sudan where, according to United Nations figures, up to 300,000 people have died and 2.7 million have fled their homes since ethnic minority rebels in Darfur rose up against the Arab-dominated Khartoum government.

The government says only around 10,000 people have been killed.

Sudanese President Omar Beshir is also the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued in March, accusing him of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Meanwhile, US Sudan envoy Gration also has come under fire for proceeding too cautiously with the Khartoum regime.

He sparked a firestorm last month by suggesting that "psychological stuff," rather than a credible fear of violence, had kept civilians from returning to their homes -- comments one group called "incredibly offensive."