[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 114 (Tuesday, September 21, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S9435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             PEACE IN SUDAN

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, today I submit an amendment in the form of 
a substitute to S. 2781. I want to thank the majority leader for his 
support of our efforts to authorize assistance for the Darfur crisis 
and a final peace in Sudan. I also want to take this opportunity to 
express my appreciation to Senator Biden for his cooperation in 
introducing the bill, as well as in refining its language.
  Our Committee recently held a historic hearing on Sudan. In that 
hearing Secretary Powell declared Sudan and the Janjaweed responsible 
for genocide. This important event reinforced congressional concern for 
African affairs and pursuing peace in Sudan.
  Senator Biden and I have improved S. 2781 in the pending amendment by 
clarifying several elements. These improvements include an update to 
language that directly reflects the comments of Secretary Powell in his 
declaration of genocide in the Sudan. Further, the amendment clarifies 
that neither of the regions administered by the Government of Sudan nor 
the SPLM will be authorized to receive assistance unless the President 
certifies that they are complying with specific requirements.
  Finally, upon receipt of the testimony and reports from Secretary 
Powell and the State Department, as well as the recent eyewitness 
account of the USAID Administrator Natsios, we want to redouble our 
commitment to support the African Union Mission in Sudan. The value of 
the reports from the small African Union Observer Force now in Darfur 
is evident and the international community must recognize its own 
responsibility in enabling the African Union to continue in this 
assertive and positive role. In my view the bill states that the United 
States should provide, to the extent practicable, all assistance 
necessary to ensure the African Union Mission in Sudan is capable of 
carrying out its mandate.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important legislative 
initiative.

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