e-mail from senator mikulski

[eits]

Dear Mr. Mozafari:

Thank you for getting in touch with me to address the crisis in Darfur , Sudan . It's nice to hear from you.

I share your deep concern for the people of Sudan . More than two million people have died in Sudan 's civil war over the past 20 years. The Khartoum regime's human rights abuses and support for slavery and terrorism are well documented.

I too am outraged that the Khartoum regime is supporting another campaign of killing and committing other atrocities, this time in the western Darfur region of Sudan . The targeted killing of Black Africans has already left over 200,000 dead. There are reports of widespread rape. About 2 million people have been forced to flee their homes, and many of them could die without immediate humanitarian aid.

These violent acts committed with the intent to destroy an ethnic group, in whole or in part, meet the definition of genocide. I agree with you that these acts are deplorable and the first step to a solution is to call it what it is.

I cosponsored Senate Concurrent Resolution 133, which declares that the atrocities unfolding in Darfur , Sudan are genocide. This resolution calls on all countries in the United Nations to prevent the genocide in Darfur from further escalating. The resolution also urges President Bush to seek a peaceful resolution of the Darfur conflict and continue to address the humanitarian crisis. We need a peace plan that would include a halt to violence, return of refugees, and the creation of a system of accountability. This resolution passed the Senate on July 22, 2004 - but it is not nearly enough.

I want you to know that I am taking strong actions to address Sudan 's humanitarian crisis as well. I supported a measure in the FY 2006 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill (H.R. 4939) to provide $389 million for humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping support and $125 million in support of the North-South Peace Agreement. I also supported amendments to increase funding for a U.N. peacekeeping force in Darfur and to establish a special envoy for Sudan to help develop peace agreements.

I will continue to support the African Union and its assistance to the people of Sudan . That's why I am cosponsoring the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (S. 1462). This bill authorizes the President to provide assistance to reinforce the operations of the African Union. S. 1462 also blocks the assets of and denies visas to any individual responsible for acts of genocide in Sudan . As you may know, S. 1462 was passed unanimously in the Senate on November 18, 2005.

Thanks again for getting in touch with me. You can count on me to continue to speak out and fight human rights abuses in Sudan and all over the world. If I can be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator

 

[Steeplerot]

Wow, not only smart on foreign affairs, but those crabcakes sound great!

Seriously though, sudan is a mess, something has to be done soon, time for the UN to stop slacking and more representives get on the ball like yours.

Congrats on getting a letter from her, it is always nice to be aknowledged.

 

[dmcowen674]

It's population control just like Iraq, we have no business in either Country.

Only reason we're in Iraq is to secure the Oil.

 

[eits]

bump...

it's funny how this thread gets no looks.... just like darfur.

 

[Grabo]

It's the Curse of Africa : ( Most atrocities, most turned-away eyes

 

[piasabird]

The UN is a Spineless bunch of thugs that would rather take bribes than take military action.

I say let the people in the Dafur region solve their own problems. The USA is not a bunch of mercenaries willing to fight for free. There are plenty of people in Africa that could help. Let Africa solve its own problems.

 

[blackllotus]

Originally posted by: piasabirdI say let the people in the Dafur region solve their own problems.

So leave Darfur alone, but interfere in Iraq which was much better off? Hypocrite.

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: blackllotus

Originally posted by: piasabirdI say let the people in the Dafur region solve their own problems.

So leave Darfur alone, but interfere in Iraq which was much better off? Hypocrite.

qft.

learn your history of africa before you go saying "let them solve their own problems."

 

[Future Shock]

Originally posted by: piasabird
The UN is a Spineless bunch of thugs that would rather take bribes than take military action.

I say let the people in the Dafur region solve their own problems. The USA is not a bunch of mercenaries willing to fight for free. There are plenty of people in Africa that could help. Let Africa solve its own problems.

I may be wrong, but didn't we fight the Korean Conflict under UN auspicies? For that matter, didn't we fight Gulf War I under UN agreement?

The UN's peacekeeping forces are only as good as the member states that volunteer to send forces. Rather than complain about it, how about if the US antes up some of the best troops in the world?

And for the life of me, I could swear it was Pakistani-crewed UN armour that saved those Blackhawk pilots on the ground in Somalia...

Future Shock

 

[eits]

bump

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: eits
bump...

it's funny how this thread gets no looks.... just like darfur.

Originally posted by: piasabird
The UN is a Spineless bunch of thugs that would rather take bribes than take military action.

I say let the people in the Dafur region solve their own problems. The USA is not a bunch of mercenaries willing to fight for free. There are plenty of people in Africa that could help. Let Africa solve its own problems.

Is there Oil there that needs securing for the Oil Barons???