US House backs aid for Darfur, sanctions against Khartoum

WASHINGTON, Oct 7 (AFP) — The House of Representatives, by a vote of 412 to 3, approved a resolution condemning the violence in Sudan’s Darfur region as genocide and calling for sanctions on the Khartoum government

The “Comprehensive Peace in Sudan Act” calls upon US President George W. Bush to freeze the assets of senior Sudanese officials and calls for concerted UN action against the Sudanese government.

The bill also provides humanitarian and development aid for Sudanese refugees.

Congressman Tom Tancredo, one of the chief backers of the bill, praised the vote.

“This is another important step in bringing an end to the conflict and suffering in this wartorn region,” said Tancredo, a member of the House International Relations Committee and the Africa Subcommittee.

“America must lead the way in resolving this tragic humanitarian and human rights disaster,” he said.

“This is the first time we have declared genocide while it is happening. How we respond at this critical juncture has implications for the future of international peace and security.”

The bill now must be reconciled with similar legislation passed last month by the US Senate.