Bush, Powell Urge Sudan to Stop Darfur Violence
Jul 13, 2004
U.S. President Bush has again called for the Sudan government to stop raids by Arab militiamen that have displaced more than one-million people in the Darfur Region. Secretary of State Colin Powell says in an article on PolitInfo.com the US Government and the international community want to see "dramatic improvements on the ground."
Attacks by Arab militias on civilians in Sudan's Darfur region have caused the deaths of thousands of black Sudanese. In addition, the raids by the Sudanese-government-supported militias have driven more than one-million people from their homey and up to 2 million people in need for aid.. These people are now at risk of death from starvation and disease.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) estimates that 1 million people may die by the end of the year if the Government of Sudan does not cooperate with the international community to resolve the current humanitarian crisis.
President Bush says he is deeply concerned about the humanitarian and human-rights crisis in the southern region of Darfur, where armed raids have driven many Sudanese from their homes, some across the border into neighboring Chad.
"I call upon the government of Sudan to stop the Janjaweed violence. I call on all parties of the conflict to respect the cease-fire, to respect human rights, and to allow for the free movement of humanitarian workers and aid," he said.
For the sake of peace and basic humanity, President Bush says the "United States and the United Nations and the leadership of the African Union are working to bring relief to the suffering people of that region. "
Secretary of State Colin Powell says in an article on PolitInfo.com "the situation must change quickly, before those who are imperiled are lost."
"While we in the international community must intensify our efforts to help, the Government of Sudan bears the greatest responsibility -- to face up to this catastrophe and save the lives of its own citizens.", he said.
Mr. Powell says the United States has drafted a U.N. Security Council resolution that is now being discussed with members of the Council.
The draft resolution is calling upon the Government of Sudan to immediately fulfill all of the commitments it has made to end the violence and give access to aid workers and international monitors. The resolution would commit all states to target sanctions against the Janjaweed and those who aid them.
"We are closely monitoring the Government's response to the actions we requested. While the Government has taken some positive steps, violence is continuing, and we have not yet seen a dramatic turnaround of the situation," Mr. Powell said.
But the secretary of state says the US Government and the international community "want more than promises -- we want to see dramatic improvements on the ground right now."
The Sudanese government denies backing the Arab militias, but has promised to disarm them while giving aid workers greater access to displaced civilians.
www.politinfo.com/articles/article_2004_07_13_4656.html |
