Following are the written responses from the Office of the State Department Spokesman to questions taken at the April 23 daily press briefing about the Middle East and Sudan:

US DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman For Immediate Release April 23, 2002

QUESTION TAKEN AT APRIL 23, 2002, DAILY PRESS BRIEFING

ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS: ASSISTANT SECRETARY BURNS' MEETINGS

QUESTION: Did Assistant Secretary Burns meet with Israeli Prime Minister Sharon before departing today?

Answer: Assistant Secretary Burns met with Chairman Arafat on Monday and Prime Minister Sharon today, Tuesday, April 23, before he left for the Palestinian Donors Conference in Olso.

Sudan: militant training camps

QUESTION: What information do you have on Sudanese President Bashir's call to set up militant training camps in Sudan?

Answer: We have seen the transcription of President Bashir's speech earlier this month in which he called for the establishment of camps to train militants for the Palestinian intifada. We contacted the Sudanese government about President Bashir's speech to express our concern. We also made it clear that, if the Sudanese government is serious about improving its international standing and improving its relations with the United States, it must cease the rhetoric of jihad and violence. We were informed by the Sudanese Government that there was no intention of setting up camps to train militants.