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Special Envoy Will Help Bring America’s Power to Bear in Darfur
Senators Smith and Kennedy Urge Sudan to Enforce Peace Agreement or Face Economic Restrictions |
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September 19th, 2006 - WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Gordon H. Smith (R-OR) and Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) released statements regarding the president’s appointment of former USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios as Presidential Special Envoy to lead America’s efforts to protect the people of Darfur. In legislation introduced in August, Senators Smith and Kennedy called for the appointment of a special envoy to work with the international community to advance the ceasefire and disarm the Janjaweed militia
“This is a much needed step to stop the bloodshed and killing,” Senator Smith said. “A Sudanese leader needs to know the eyes of the world are watching their actions closely. Mindless murder is intolerable. Sudan must allow the UN peacekeeping force to secure the region.”
“Convincing the Sudanese Government to end the genocide must be the Envoy’s top priority,” Senator Kennedy said. “If the Sudanese Government continues on its perilous course of intransigence, there must be economic and diplomatic consequences. The United States must make it clear that our government is prepared to impose economic sanctions and restrict the travel of Sudan’s leaders and their families. Sudan’s membership in international organizations, restrictions on loans to and investment in the Sudanese Government, and bilateral diplomatic relations should also be on the table. It must be crystal clear that the United States is prepared to urge our allies across the globe to do the same. Our basic humanity compels us to remember the Holocaust, the Armenian, Rwandan and Cambodian genocides. We must act, and act now.”
The Peace in Darfur Act of 2006 (S.3801), introduced by Senators Smith and Kennedy, outlines several formidable actions that need to be taken to enforce the Darfur Peace Agreement. The bill calls for:
- The Government of Sudan to immediately allow a UN peacekeeping force to operate in Darfur and implement the Darfur Peace Agreement
- NATO, if requested by the UN, to enforce the no-fly zone over Darfur and to provide airlift, logistical and intelligence support to the peacekeepers
- The international community to support the current African Union Mission in Sudan and a follow-on UN peacekeeping mission to Darfur, and to promptly act to fill the outstanding humanitarian assistance needs
- The President of the United States to impose economic sanctions if Sudan fails to implement the peace agreement
- An additional $150 million in funding to be authorized by the U.S. Congress that can be spent in fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to fill the unmet humanitarian needs in Darfur
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