changing the debate
by John at 9/09/2004 01:09:00 PM
From Reuters: U.S. Declares Genocide in Sudan's Darfur
"We concluded that genocide has been committed in Darfur and that the government of Sudan and the Janjaweed bear responsibility and genocide may still be occurring," Secretary of State Colin Powell said in testimony prepared for delivery to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
In the context of history, these are profound words. While the U.S. does not consider the declaration of genocide to impose significant legal obligations, the use of the term should influence the debate.
On the Security Council, I think that China is the only nation putting up serious opposition to U.N. intervention in Sudan. We have leverage over them in the form of oil and trade, and we should use that leverage to get the Security Council to agree on action. Australia, the UK, Nigeria and Rwanda have already expressed their desire to provide peacekeeping forces and logistical support for the same.
What happens next is up to us.
Keep up with developments at Sudan: The Passion of the Present
Update: You can read the official text of Mr. Powell's testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee here.
You can send a comment to Mr. Powell here.
"We concluded that genocide has been committed in Darfur and that the government of Sudan and the Janjaweed bear responsibility and genocide may still be occurring," Secretary of State Colin Powell said in testimony prepared for delivery to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
In the context of history, these are profound words. While the U.S. does not consider the declaration of genocide to impose significant legal obligations, the use of the term should influence the debate.
On the Security Council, I think that China is the only nation putting up serious opposition to U.N. intervention in Sudan. We have leverage over them in the form of oil and trade, and we should use that leverage to get the Security Council to agree on action. Australia, the UK, Nigeria and Rwanda have already expressed their desire to provide peacekeeping forces and logistical support for the same.
What happens next is up to us.
Keep up with developments at Sudan: The Passion of the Present
Update: You can read the official text of Mr. Powell's testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee here.
You can send a comment to Mr. Powell here.
Let's pray the US and the international community act quickly.
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