[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 13 (Wednesday, February 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E201-E202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           THE WAR IN DARFUR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 9, 2005

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, the killing continues in Darfur and the United 
Nations has become paralyzed and unable to stop it. I am submitting for 
the Record a copy of a letter sent this week to U.N. Secretary General 
Kofi Annan signed by 33 members of the House of Representatives asking 
him to return to Darfur and to report back to the Security Council on 
the conditions there.
  The Security Council must take immediate, effective measures to stop 
the bloodshed. If the Security Council fails to act, Kofi Annan should 
resign out of protest. The time is now for bold action. The people of 
Darfur can wait no longer.


                                Congress of the United States,

                                 Washington, DC, February 7, 2005.
     Hon. Kofi Annan,
     Secretary General, United Nations,
     New York, NY.
       Dear Mr. Secretary General: As you are aware, the 
     Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Army 
     recently

[[Page E202]]

     signed the much anticipated peace agreement which ended the 
     cruel war that lasted over 20 years and claimed the lives of 
     over two million people.
       We commend you for your efforts in support of this peace 
     agreement. However, it is vital that as the world looks 
     toward the future of Sudan, it does not forget the tragedy 
     which is unfolding in Darfur. Villages are still 
     systematically burned, women continue to be raped, men are 
     still being murdered and children continue to die from hunger 
     and disease.
       The situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate with 
     recent attacks. We are very much concerned that if the 
     security situation does not improve, the remaining NGOs will 
     be forced to scale down or pull out, leaving the people of 
     Darfur helpless.
       The recently released Commission on Inquiry serves as a 
     necessary tool in holding accountable those who have 
     committed horrible atrocities in Darfur. But it is also 
     essential that firm action immediately be undertaken by the 
     United Nations to improve the situation on the ground and 
     save lives. We urge you to return to Darfur to confirm with 
     your own eyes that the situation has not improved. We cannot 
     continue to status quo. A strong, meaningful resolution 
     should be put forward and the Security Council should act 
     immediately. Only in this manner the situation in Darfur can 
     be changed.
       We are certain that this will have an immediate impact on 
     Darfur. We ask that you use your power and prestige to make a 
     passionate plea to the Security Council to deal effectively 
     on Darfur. If the Security Council fails to take meaningful 
     action, we ask you to resign in protest. Your resignation 
     would be an act of moral leadership which the world would 
     greatly admire.
       Great men in history have given up their posts to force 
     change. William Wilberforce's commitment to justice and the 
     abolition of slavery in Great Britain superseded his pursuit 
     of political advancement and many believe his outspoken fight 
     against slavery cost him the opportunity to be Prime Minister 
     of England.
       We can and will not allow the world to remain a bystander 
     while this horrific tragedy unfolds. The situation in Darfur 
     is being described as the worst humanitarian crisis in the 
     world today. Immediate action has to be taken. We are 
     confident that anything that you can do to put an end to this 
     situation will be admired greatly.
       The powerful movie Hotel Rwanda was recently released. It 
     highlights how the world failed the people of Rwanda. The 
     lead actor, Don Cheadle, is nominated for an Oscar and the 
     movie is nominated as best original screen play. People will 
     be moved by this movie and people will remember our pledge of 
     ``never again.''
           Sincerely,
         Frank R. Wolf, Roscoe Bartlett, Dan Burton, Wm. Lacy 
           Clay, Elijah E. Cummings, Robert Aderholt, Mary Bono, 
           Lois Capps, Tom Davis, Trent Franks, Michael M. Honda, 
           Peter T. King, Michael R. McNulty, James P. Moran, 
           Joseph R. Pitts, J. Randy Forbes, Mark R. Kennedy, 
           James McGovern, Michael H. Michaud, John W. Olver, Rick 
           Renzi, Lucille Roybal-Allard, John J.H. Schwarz, 
           Christopher Shays, Rob Simmons, Mark E. Souder, James 
           T. Walsh, Tom Osborne, James F. Sensenbrenner, Jr., 
           John Shimkus, Christopher H. Smith, Edolphus Towns and 
           Zach Wamp, Members of Congress.

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