Heres a look. During this Academic Year, reports of Sexual Assault decreased at two of the three academies when compared to the previous Academic Years. With an overall total of 70 reports, involving at least one military victim, one military subject. Of those 70 reports, 53 were made by cadets and midshipmen. Because there is no prevailing thread available for the past school year, the department cannot determine whether the decrease in reporting this year at the Service Academies was due to fewer assaults occurring or due to fewer victims opting to report. Rates of unwanted Sexual Conduct and harassment will be updated via survey conducted later this year. As part of our assessment, faculty and staff participated in focus groups, along with cadets and midshipment at each of the academies. During these focus groups participants believe the reports of Sexual Harassment or Sexual Assault would be taken seriously by the Academy Leadership and dealt with a properly. Thats good. Cadets and midshipmen also identified. Pressure as a barrier to reporting. Thats not good. In both the Academic Year which concluded this past may and the intervening period we have seen considerable energy and emphasis placed on the Service AcademySexual Assault prevention and response programs. Still, there is more work to be done. A portion of a Briefing Held earlier today at the pentagon. You can see the entire event later in our schedule, or anytime online at cspan. Org. Disappointing to all of us to see the deterioration, deterioration of the security inside iraq. I spent a lot of my life over there. From 2006 into 2006, the number 20 and i was there as we continue to reduce the level of violence in the sectarian violence was going on. I believe we left it in a place where it was capable to move forward. Weve now seen it because of several political issues, internal. That city situation is now devolved into something that is in my mind concerning. But this is not just about iraq. In my mind its something we have to be cognizant of as we look across the middle east, whats going on in syria, in lebanon, whats going on inside of iraq. And its this sectarian potential building of sectarian conflict between sunni and shia and then exploitation of that by nonstate actors such as al qaeda and other organizations who will try to take advantage of this. This weekend on cspan army chiechief of staff general ray odierno looks at the security situation in the mideast and the future of the u. S. Army. Saturday morning at 10 eastern. Live saturday on cspan2, political strategist mary matalin and james on their love and war relationship at 11 on booktv. On cspan3s American History tv, prohibition and the rise of the gangster. Nancy reagan was the first sitting first lady to address the United Nations and the first to address the nation in a joint appearance with the president. So to my young friends out there, life can be great, but not when you cant see it. So open your eyes to life. To see it in the vivid covers that god gave us as a precious gift to our children. To enjoy life to the fullest, and to make account. Say yes to your life, and when it comes to drugs and alcohol, just say no. First Lady Nancy Reagan in our original series first ladies influence and image returns monday night live at nine eastern on cspan and cspan3. Also on cspan radio and cspan. Org. Yesterday the Senate ForeignRelations Committee held a hearing on the conflict in south sudan. The fighting started in december between the current President Army and rebels linked to a former Vice President. These are the worst clashes in south sudan since it broke off from sudan in 2011. This is two hours 50 minutes. Let me welcome our panel is, all of whom are as deeplyorder. Troubled as all of us are by the situation in south sudan. The reason for this being the first hearing of this committee of the new year is the hope thar our attention can send a messaga to all parties in the sudan that a ceasefire, a continuing ceasefire, political solution and reconciliation is criticali, for u. S. A longterm assistance. And in doing so hopefully we can save lives here we have many questions about the direction in which this young nation is headed lives. We have many questions about the direction in which this young nation is headed and the greater implications of the conflict and i hope our panelists will provide us with deeper insights into the situation on the ground which i might add in a different context underscores the importance of Congress Moving quickly on Embassy Security with our embassy in juba, operating at severely reduced capacity as a result of the violence. Looking back, the United States government and members of this committee were hopeful that when we strongly supported south sudans independence in 2011. After decades of war with the sudan niece government, the people of south sudan voted in favor of Self Determination and the chance to include an inclusi inclusive, democratic and prosperous society. They were united in that goal. Now over 1,000 people have been killed, more than 194,000 have been displaced and human tirn conditions will surely deteriorate as access to conflict areas diminishes. I think we can all agree that it is absolutely necessary that to avoid a downward spiral into further Ethnic Violence and chaos, all armed elements must cease hostilities immediately. A continuation of violence will only jeopardize future u. S. Engagement and further u. S. Assistance. Having said that, there is some sign for hope and reason for some optimism. I commend the enter Governmental Authority for development and or African Leaders for successfully arranging negotiations in ethiopia and i commend president kiir and former Vice President machar for sending delegations to talk in addidas ab back ba. At the end of the day theres only one option. Let me reiterate secretary kerrys remarks, all parties must make serious efforts to seek an inclusive political sugs. Todays panelists are here to help us better understand the road and the broader implications of the current crisis. We hope to gain insight into the nature of the rebellion, are the units cohesive, are they fragmented . How much does machar control does he have over rebel forces . I would hope our panelists can provide answers to the basic questions before us. What is the danger of the violence spiraling out of control, what are the most immediate humanitarian needs . What can the United States do to play a role towards the long and shortterm and longterm reconciliation and what should that reconciliation look like. With that let me turn to senator corker for his opening statement. Thank you, mr. Chairman and thank you both of you in the second panel for being with us here today. We thank you very much for that. As its an understatement, i guess, to say south sudan is at a critical juncture today. Our ambassadors there with beefed up security and not much in the way of other staff members. 30 month ago i guess there were real expectations about the future solve south sudan. Were seeing the difference between a Rebel Movement and a government. I think we all understand it was that movement that united the country and now that that has been achieved, things are dissipating. Unfortunate unfortunately, due to the lack of good leadership is dissipating, but very quickly it could dissipate along sectarian lines that could harden and make the conflict even more difficult to overcome. So khartoum is obviously benefiting from this. We are seen as the de facto back stop. We have a long history there and people expect us to be that de facto back stop. And while uganda, ethiopia and kenya are playing Important Roles and obviously south sudan is very important to china, this is a place where obviously people expect us to make a difference. In addition to the conflict that we have there thats on going that is causing murders and the kinds of things that we hate to see taking place in any country, we also realize that the institutional framework there is a morass and is going to take incredible effort over a longer period of time. I do look forward to hearing the administrations point of view today. I know they share the sense of urgency that we all have regarding this conflict ending and us moving on to another phase there. I do look forward to hearing your comments as to where we as a nation should go from here relative to south sudan. So thank you for being here. Thank you, mr. Chairman, for having the hearing. Thank you, senator corker. Let me introduce our panelists. Linda thomas greenfield, assistant secretary of state for african affairs. We appreciate her work in her former role as well as this role and to be here today. Nancy lynd befrg, from the democracy conflict humanitarian affairs at usaid. Your full statements will be included in the record. Wed ask you to synthesize those to five minutes. Madam secretary, well call upon you first. Thank you. Chairman menendez, Ranking Member corker, members of the Senate ForeignRelations Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today. I know the subject before us is one in which you and other members of congress are deeply concerned and that you deeply care about the situation in sudan. I regret that ambassador booth, our special envoy is unavailable to testify before you today as we have him working to get the Peace Process under way. Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member corker, three years ago today and it is really important that it was three years ago today this is the anniversary of south sudans independence, on january 9, 2011, the people of south sudan voted in overwhelming numbers for independence from the republic of sudan. After decades of war, they were peacefully and joyfully voting for separation and for a new future. Then senator kerry, my new boss was there to witness that historic moment. The United States played a Critical Role in getting the worlds youngest nation on the map. Today tragically the worlds youngest country and undoubtedly one of the most fragile democracies is in danger of shattering. The United Nations has report that more than a thousand people have died, over 240,000 have fled their homes including a number of refugees in neighboring countries. Political rivalries have taken on ethnic dimensions. Atrocities are being committed. Men, women and children are caught in the crossfire. This is not the future for which the people of sudan voted three years ago. South sudans crisis began less than a month ago on december 15 with a political struggle that escalated into broader violence. However, the fighting began as the fighting began, a few things became crystal clear. First, neither the United States nor the International Community or continue nens the armed over throw of a democratically elected government. Second, hostilities must stop. Any and all hostility directed at civilian populations must end. Those responsible must be held accountable. Third, this crisis will not be solved on the battlefield. We have made that point over and over again. Although fighting started less than one month ago, the roots of this conflict are much deeper. Resolution can only come through immediate dialogue between the two sides and a broader reconciliati reconciliation. Finally all parties must permit immediate humanitarian access to those in needs, to the tens of thousands south sudanese men, women and children who are the real victims of this violence. The United States has engaged in an allout diplomatic effort to end the fighting with engagement by secretary kerry, National Security adviser susan rice and other highranking officials with president kiir and former Vice President machar as well as with the heads of state, Foreign Ministers and neighboring countries around the world. We have galvanized support to end hostilities and open a broader dialogue between the two sides with calls for accountability for atrocities and which sought to secure the release of political detainees now being held in juba. But while we need a political settlement among the fighting parties, the meade what security situation remains critical. Particularly for the thousands of internally displaced civilians who have sought protection in the u. N. Compounds. This must be addressed. As the crisis began to unfold, we proposed and Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution nearly doubling the size of the contingent. In turn were now actively encouraging Member States to provide additional troops and police units to the u. N. Mission including through the transfer of contingents from other missions in the region. As my colleague assistant administrator lindbergh will discuss, we have committed an additional 50 million in emergency humanitarian assistance. The president s special envoy to sudan and south sudan, ambassador don booth who as i noted could not be here today to testify because he is in ethiopia, hes been in the region since december 22nd. He has been working around the clock. He has med repeatedly with president kiir and other officials. Hes had lengthy discussions with rhee ak machar and hes sat down with local religious leaders and Civil Society members to help find a solution. This is an allout effort on our part. Given our special history with south sudan, were working closely with south sudans neighbors through the east africa enter Governmental Authority on development who are spearheading the mediation efforts. A special summit on south sudan was held just 12 days after the conflict began. The ethiopian minister and kenyan general are the two negotiators on the side of egad who are leading this effort. South sudans neighbors are also providing asylum to the new refugees. These negotiations offer the best hope for south sudan and the region. An agreement to end hostilities will provide much needed time and space for dialogue to begin on the core political and governance issues that are the root of this crisis. Both sides must recognize that there can be no military solution. Weve made clear to the rebels that we will not recognize a violent overthrow of a democratically elected government. At the same time we made clear to the government that they must open political space to allow for greater inclusion. The United States strongly believes that the Political Prisoners currently held in juba must be released. And each day that the conflict continues, the risk of an allout civil war grows as ethnic tensions and more civilians are killed, injured or forced to flee. The humanitarian situation grows more dire and those who have remained on the sidelines are pulled into the conflict. Let me conclude by saying im greatly concerned that the crisis in south sudan has the potential to escalate even further. While we do not know the scale of atrocities that have been committed thus far, theres clear evidence that there are targeted killings taking place. Dinkas are asking nair, nair are killing dinkas. Countless civilians, women and children have become victims of of the rebel forces. Each violent act threatens to return south sudan to the violence and destruction that south sudanese voted to end when they voted for independence in 2011. In addition to calling for an end to the violence, humanitarian access, dialogue and release of Political Prisoners in juba, the United States is exploring the possibility of appropriate pressures against individuals on both sides who interfere with peace and reconciliation in south sudan and those who are responsible for committing serious human rights abuses. Let me thank you again forgiving us the opportunity to speak before you today. Let me thank you for your commitment to the people of sudan and also your support for our efforts in the region. I look forward to your questions. Thank you. Administrator sdm. Thank you, chairman menendez, Ranking Member corker, members of the Senate ForeignRelations Committee, thank you very much for holding the hearing today and inviting me to testify. And thank you, also, for your on going support for our work around the world which continues to save millions and millions of lives. The u. S. Government including many of you has been a strong supporter of the people of south sudan through the decades, through civil war, the comprehensive Peace Agreement and since independence of 2011. Were all deeply, deeply alarmed by the horrific violence that hell threatens this struggle. As my colleague noted, today is the third anniversary of independence in which 99 of the people voted to form the worlds youngest nation. The outbreak of hostilities on december 15th has since erupted into heavy fighting across seven of south sudans ten states. The fighting is the res