Contact: Jesse Jacobs                                                                          For Immediate Release
(202) 224-4524                                                                                    May 3, 2006
http://sarbanes.senate.gov

SENATE APPROVES ADDITIONAL AID FOR U.N.
DARFUR PEACEKEEPING MISSION

SARBANES JOINS IN SPONSORING AMENDMENT
THAT ADDS FUNDING TO HELP TROOPS IN ON-GOING CONFLICT

         Senator Paul S. Sarbanes (D-MD) today cosponsored an amendment to the supplemental appropriations bill for fiscal year 2006 that would provide an additional $60 million to the United Nations for international peacekeeping operations. The funding, which was transferred from other accounts in the spending measure and would not add to the total of the overall funding bill, likely will be used to establish a UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur, Sudan.

         “These funds are urgently needed to prevent further bloodshed and protect innocent civilians in Darfur,” said Sarbanes. “We hear reports that the situation grows worse day by day. Despite our efforts to increase pressure on the Sudanese government, the militias continue their brutal campaign of rape, murder and displacement across the vast area of western Sudan. And we must not stand idly by.”

         On March 2, the Senate passed a resolution that called upon the United Nations Security Council to approve a peacekeeping force for Darfur that is well trained and equipped and has adequate troop strength.

         “We must act immediately to stem the genocide in Darfur. It is essential that, at a time when we are asking the United Nations to take on a complex new peacekeeping mission, we fulfill our treaty obligations to fund our share of the dues to UN peacekeeping,” Sarbanes added.

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