US senators call for China to pressure Sudan over Darfur
By Ian Swanson
May 16, 2007 (WASHINGTON) — Republican presidential hopeful Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.) and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) will introduce a Senate resolution today calling for China to use its influence to stop genocide and violence in Sudan’s Darfur region.
It does not, however, call for a boycott of next year’s Summer Olympics in Beijing, which China is eagerly anticipating. Chinese officials in Washington have warned members of Congress and activist groups that an Olympic boycott would not help resolve the Darfur conflict.
China has attracted criticism in Washington for not doing enough to end the violence in Darfur, where militias backed by Sudan’s government are accused of killing hundreds of thousands. Critics have highlighted China’s economic and military ties to Sudan, which sells 70 percent of its oil to China.
The resolution states that China ought to use its influence to get Sudan’s government to accept a robust peacekeeping force that would include United Nations troops, and to convince Sudan to comply with U.N. resolutions that seek to disarm militias operating in Sudan.
It concludes by stating that Congress recognizes the Olympic spirit “is incompatible with actions supporting acts of genocide.”
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) expects to introduce similar if not identical legislation as early as May 17, according to a House aide, who said Lee is still shoring up Republican cosponsors for the bill.
House and Senate aides acknowledged some might want to see tougher language, but said the resolution as worded gives China an opportunity to put pressure on Sudan, and also shows China’s government that Congress is watching it closely.
(The Hill)