McGovern calls for military options in Darfur

By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico – Talk Radio News Service

One week after thirteen international aid organizations were expelled from Darfur, and one day after President Obama named Former General J. Scott Gration as a special envoy to Sudan, Congressman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) said that military options to stop the genocide should not be ruled out. These military options could come to fruition as a no-fly zone. McGovern hopes the Obama administration’s diplomacy can prevail, but went on to say that time is running out and that Obama should work with NATO, the African Union, and the Arab League to stop the violence immediately, since more people are dying each day.

The Congressman said, “What we have done up to this point has not worked.” He said that genocide, violence, and rape are continuing, and now the government is “going to starve people to death.” McGovern went on to say that the Sudanese government is “determined to kill the people of Darfur” and drew similarities between the situation and the Holocaust

The Save Darfur Coalition said that since the aid organizations were expelled by President Omar al-Bashir, approximately 1.1 million civilians have been left without food aid, 1.5 million without health care, and almost 1 million without drinking water. In the crisis at large, the United Nations states that since 2003 over 200,000 people have been killed, and over 2 million people have been displaced.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir expelled the aid organizations after being indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. Congressman Jim Moran (D-Va.) charged, “this expulsion of aid workers further confirms the legitimacy of the indictment,” and that the president is guilty as charged.

Congressman Chris Smith (R-N.J.) continued that he thinks there is no “political will” right now to send more troops into harm’s way considering America’s presence in Iraq and Afghanistan and feels that African Union forces should be left to do the job. African Union troops have unsuccessfully tried to quell the violence in the past. Smith said he believes a renewed effort by the African Union forces will yield better results.

Warrant issued for the President of Sudan

By Suzia van Swol, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for the President of Sudan, Omar Hassen al-Bashir, for five years of violence in Darfur. In a Global press conference call on the International Criminal Court’s decision, John Norris, executive director of The Enough Project, stated that, “I think this is a very good day for international justice; I think it is a very good day for improved prospects for peace in Sudan.”

Norris explained that although there is no obvious vehicle to deliver al-Bashir to the Court immediately, that people just need to look at examples such as Charles Taylor and Slobodan Milosevic to realize that justice does find its way. “It is the first time that Bashir has ever been held accountable for any of his actions, and it’s the first time that he faced the significant cost from the international community for his divisive and deadly divide and conquer style politics both in Darfur and in the earlier civil war with the south,” stated Norris. 

Norris said that,“This really does give a clear stamp from the international community that the crimes, the heinous crimes, that have occurred in Darfur can be traced in a bright and direct line back to the Presidential palace in Khartoum” and as a result these actions, Norris anticipates that peace will be much more possible and likely.

The Security Council Stakeout on Sudan

Ambassador Susan Rice discussed the situation in Sudan at the Security Council. UNIMID 64% of its authorized strength. There is urgency to get to 100 %. There was a cost free air bridge to the area to get in heavy equipment. The United States welcomes the efforts by the United Nations and the African Union. Agreement signed in Doha is the a first step. UNIMID has had bravery. There is extreme disappointment because of one member state to not give its support to condemning GEM and others. The action of one member state is getting in the way. The United States all rebel groups to join along with Civil Society to join in negotiations. Libya is alone in the security council.

The Sudan Ambassador to the UN was very upbeat about the "landmark" achievement signed in Doha today, The French Government is still holding a rebel leader from joining in the peace progress. The issues related to Darfur are very clear and now the root causes will also be discussed. Our country is fully united behind our President. We will continue to rally behind our president. Peace in Darfur will heal wounds. Many countries are favoring Article 16 but other countries have other views. It is ironic that the US is asking for the ICC (International Criminal Court) but the US is not a member of the ICC.

Congress prepares for auto industry bailout vote

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) announced that Congress would be prepared to vote on the bailout for the Big 3 automakers today, pending discussion with those in the Senate.

During a pen and pad session, Hoyer elaborated on the details of the legislation, “Any tax payer assistance will be covered with vigorous oversight, and it’s included in the bill.”

While the Majority Leader stated that they will be prepared today, the Senate may vote first if success seems more likely through that avenue.

Hoyer also discussed prospects for an economic stimulus package, “President-elect Obama has made it very clear that he wants to see a very substantial economic stimulus package passed. He wants to sign such a package in January,” said Hoyer.

“After eight years of economic policies that have lead us to arguably the worst economic performance, the greatest loss of jobs, the most difficulty confronting our people since the great depression it’s critically important that we have legislation that will assist in getting this economy going. We plan on doing this very early next year before President-elect Obama is sworn.”

The Majority Leader also said that he and ten other representatives, including ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. Illeana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), will be presenting Obama with a series of suggestions to help end the genocide in Darfur.

Sudan-One Country-Two Systems

As the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) by President Bill Clinton nears, Commissioner for the rights of non-Muslims in Sudan, Joshua Dae Diu, spoke at the Hudson Institute about the progress Sudan has made.

“Religion is still a major problem in Sudan. South Sudan has become a secular system where freedom of religion is allowed, while the north is still not allowing non-Muslims to practice their religion,” Diu said.

The CPA says that there are other citizens practicing different religions and traditions that police, judges, and other law enforcement need to remember and to allow. Diu says because of this agreement, the south has moved to allow non-Muslims to practice their religion freely throughout. The north is still an Islamic State and until the elections occur in 2009, the north has refused to change course to allow religious freedom.

“The CPA has tried to address the basic issues that plague Sudan, that is why we have one country with two systems. After six years of having these two systems, what do we do then? We must leave it up to the people in the north and south,” Diu said.

Along with the elections that will take place in 2009, a Census is being held throughout Sudan. Diu said that the Census does not cover who is non-Muslim in the Nation’s Capitol and in Sudan. Diu went on to say that the south should have argued this but they were intimidated by the northern officials. “Because of the south being intimidated by the north we are now stuck, we will have to wait another 10 years for another Census to occur. We can not wait another 10 years to get safety for non-Muslims in Sudan.,” Diu stated.