Wolf: We must not forget the tragedy unfolding in Darfur
STATEMENT OF REP. FRANK WOLF (R-VA)
“I just returned from the signing of the peace agreement in Nairobi, Kenya, between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army.
“This is an historic moment for the people of Sudan. The signing of this agreement has ended Africa’s longest running war, a brutal civil war which spanned the last 21 years, claimed the lives of more than 2 million people and left most of the country in despair.
“The people of Sudan deserve peace, and I congratulate the parties for reaching this agreement.
“I also commend President Bush, Secretary of State Powell and his team, Ambassador Danforth, and all of the outside groups for their unrelenting efforts in support of peace.
“President Bush and Secretary Powell should be considered for the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts.
“I want to commend all the countries that played a critical role in the peace – particularly Norway. All parties must now live up to the agreement and begin the task of rebuilding the lives of millions of people.
“This would be a good time for the Administration to appoint a strong Acting Ambassador to immediately go to Khartoum to help implement the peace agreement.
“This would not be to reward Khartoum but to keep pressure on all parties to make sure the agreement sticks.
“This person should be someone who has the respect of the President and Secretary of State, is strong, aggressive, and should be very outspoken on Darfur.
“There is nothing like being on the scene every day. So much has gone into this agreement we must ensure it lasts.
“It is important that as we look toward the future for Sudan, we do not forget the tragedy that is still unfolding in Darfur.
“As I speak, women continue to be raped and children continue to die from hunger and disease.
“Men continue to be murdered by the government-sponsored Janjaweed.
“New attacks continue to be launched against defenseless villagers.
“Many of these people have been huddled in camps for over a year and the international community has failed them over and over again.
“Put yourself in their shoes for a minute.
“You are uprooted from your home. You live in a refugee camp where the conditions are terrible. You don’t know if your family members are alive or dead. You are sick, weak and are watching people die all around you from hunger and disease. Now picture this as your life for the last year.
“The tsunami in South Asia demonstrates how quickly and effectively the world can respond to such terrible disasters. And once again we are reminded that the world has failed the people of Darfur.
“I commend the quick and generous response to the tsunami, but we must not only focus on disasters as they occur, we have a responsibility to humanity to respond to disasters that have lasted decades in Africa.
“The peace agreement between the North and the South opens new doors for comprehensive peace throughout the country. All parties should use this opportunity to find an immediate solution and to end the fighting in Darfur.
“Dr. John Garang now has an opportunity to play a positive role to end the crisis in Darfur. He should go to Darfur and show the rebels that peace is attainable.
“I have strongly supported the United States commitments to the United Nations. Since I became chairman of the Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations Subcommittee, all U.S. assessments to the United Nations have been paid in full and on time.
“Between 2002-2005, more than $4 billion has been appropriated by Congress for U.S. assessments to the United Nations, including more than $1.26 billion for the U.N. Regular Budget and more than $2.82 billion for U.N. Peacekeeping.
“I have been a supporter of the United Nations, but over the past year we have seen the United Nations fight an uphill battle on Darfur.
“Resolution after resolution have failed to have any impact on the situation. At least two Security Council members, China and Russia, have threatened with vetoes strong resolutions from being passed.
“China is benefitting from oil in Sudan and Russia is selling arms and helicopters. I personally saw Russian planes and helicopters sitting on runways in Darfur.
“Last Friday United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan reported that the situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate and that the government of Sudan has violated the previous Security Council resolutions by failing to disarm and prosecute the Janjaweed.
“I am concerned that some NGOs have had to pull out and that additional ones will be forced to leave if the security situation does not improve. Save the Children UK tragically lost four staff and were forced to pull out.
“Secretary General Annan has sent a Commission on Inquiry to Darfur to investigate if genocide has occurred in Darfur. The panel is set to release its report by the end of the month.
“Many firmly believe that genocide has occurred and I think most in the world agree.
“Whether or not they use the term ‘genocide,’ what has happened is still horrific. And no matter what you call it, the facts remain the same: innocent civilians have been systematically murdered, raped, and displaced and the world has failed to stop it, and it continues until today.
“It is time for the United Nations and the international community to respond in a meaningful way.
“I ask Secretary General Annan to go back to Darfur to confirm with his own eyes that the situation has not improved.
“Secretary Annan should then make bold recommendations, and call on the Security Council to immediately implement them.
“A strong, meaningful resolution should be put forward and the Security Council should act quickly. The resolution must immediately change the situation on the ground.
” This is a time for Secretary Annan to use his strong moral leadership. As a son of Africa, he understands the pain and suffering of the people.
“He is a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, and surely the Security Council would not take his recommendations lightly.
“He should use his power and prestige to make a passionate plea to the Security Council to deal effectively on Sudan. We cannot continue the status quo. If the Security Council fails to take meaningful action, Secretary Annan should resign in protest.
“I am not blaming Kofi Annan for Darfur. He does not control the actions of the Security Council, but I ask him to use his leadership to demand a new course of action from them.
“I understand that this is an unusual request to make but I believe these actions could turn the world’s attention back to Darfur.
“Resigning out of protest is an act of great moral leadership and the world would respect his actions. Great men in history have given up their posts to force change.
“In 1973 at the height of the Watergate scandal, President Nixon ordered Attorney General Elliott Richardson to fire the special prosecutor. He refused and resigned in protest. He was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“This would be in the tradition of William Wilberforce whose commitment to God’s standards and righteousness superceded his pursuit of political advancement and many believe his outspoken fight against slavery cost him the opportunity to be Prime Minister of England.
“Anything that Secretary Annan can do to get the world to focus on Darfur will be admired greatly.
“If in the year 2005 the Security Council cannot deal with genocide, the raping of women, and the systematic burning of villages now occurring, then I believe it is fair to ask: what purpose is the United Nations serving in the 21st century?”