Kerry calls atrocities in Sudan genocide, criticizes Bush

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2004 (dpa) — Presidential contender John Kerry called the atrocities being carried out in the Darfur region of Sudan “genocide” and criticized the Bush administration for not using the same term.

“This administration must stop equivocating,” Kerry said. “These government sponsored atrocities should be called by their rightful name: genocide.”

The Bush administration has strongly condemned the Sudanese government for backing militias which are attacking civilians, but has stopped short of using the genocide label.

The State Department says it is examining the situation to determine if it meets the legal threshold for genocide. In the meantime, Washington has been pressuring Khartoum to end its support for the Janjaweed militias and put an end to the atrocities that have left up to 30,000 people dead and displaced 1.2 million people.

The U.N.’s World Health Organization (WHO) warned Thursday that hundreds of thousands of people could die of cholera, malaria, and dysentery in Sudan’s Darfur crisis region unless they get help soon.

Top U.N. and U.S. officials have said the situation in Darfur the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. The United States has proposed a resolution at the U.N. Security Council that would impose sanctions if the violence continues.

Kerry, speaking to the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, said if he’s elected he would “bring the full weight of American leadership to address this crisis”.