US Wisconsin may stop investing in companies helping Sudan

Feb 21, 2007 (MADISON, Wisconsin) — In a move against genocide in the Sudanese region of Darfur, the state would become the latest to rid its pension fund of investments in foreign companies working with Sudan, under a bill introduced Thursday.

At least six U.S. states — California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, New Jersey and Oregon — have taken similar steps.

The Darfur region has been torn by violence since 2003, when rebels of ethnic African tribes rose up against the Arab-led government, complaining of discrimination and mistreatment. At least 200,000 people have died in the violence and an additional 2.5 million people have become refugees.

The measure calls for Wisconsin to sell its investments in foreign businesses that supply or provide services to the Sudanese government if more than 10 percent of a company’s revenues in Sudan are connected to oil, mining or power production; if the company is complicit in what the bill terms “genocide” in Darfur; or if it supplies military equipment to the African nation.

American companies are already prohibited from doing business in Sudan.

State Senator Sheila Harsdorf and Representative Fred Kessler, the bill’s authors, said the measure would result in about $100 million (A76 million) being pulled from about two dozen companies.

Harsdorf likened the fighting in Darfur to the Holocaust.

“Once again, the international community has failed to take action to stop genocide. Once again, hundreds of thousands are being killed as we stand idly by,” Harsdorf said at a news conference.

(AP)