[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 133 (Wednesday, October 19, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11509-S11510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 DARFUR

  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I wish to update my colleagues on what 
is taking place in Sudan in the Darfur region. This is something about 
which I spoke several times in this Chamber. It is a genocide as the 
Senate, the House, and the President declared it a genocide. Others at 
the U.N. call it crimes against humanity. Under either definition, it 
is a horrific set of circumstances that has occurred in that region. 
Yet the response to date has still not been effective. People are 
continuing to be killed and slaughtered and run out of their villages, 
and the African Union troops have not succeeded in securing peace in 
that region. I want to update my colleagues about what is taking place.
  The mandate of the African Union troops--and this is the African 
countries that have formed the African Union force--is simply to 
monitor and report on the current cease-fire. That is insufficient. I 
am going to detail why it is insufficient and what has happened because 
of their insufficient mandate and rules of engagement not being 
appropriate for the circumstances.
  To date, they have largely written and filed away reports. Without a 
mandate robust enough to protect the civilians or prevent violence or 
assistance robust enough to provide a well-sized and equipped force, 
there is not much hope for the people seeking safety in Darfur.
  A few weeks ago, the African Union came out with their strongest 
statement regarding the violence. This was a clear call for the 
international community to shine the spotlight on this crisis and to 
realize the implications it will have on the entire region.
  While the parties are engaged in the sixth round of peace talks--and 
that is progress; we do have peace talks engaged in by the people in 
Darfur, the Government in Sudan, the jingaweit militia that has been 
given equipment by the Government in Sudan--violence continues to take 
place even as these peace talks move forward.
  In the last few weeks, attacks have been carried out by the jingaweit 
militia, the Government forces, and the rebel movement--all three. The 
African Union announced:

       You would recall that in the past one month, we witnessed a 
     series of violations in Darfur, with widespread violence 
     against villages, commercial and humanitarian conveys, and 
     even IDP camps.

  These are camps where individual citizens are going to get away from 
the raids and carnage.

       This rendered the work of the humanitarian agencies and 
     NGOs in the area difficult and, in some cases, they were 
     forced to suspend their activities.

  There was an unprecedented move against IDP camps and the first 
reports of the Government of Sudan's use of helicopters since January. 
A number of coordinated attacks has been reported since mid-September 
involving hundreds of jingaweit militia--this is the militia armed by 
the Government of Sudan--and Government forces working together killing 
and injuring many and displacing thousands more. Just this week, a 
number of civilians were killed in fighting that took place in the town 
of Kutum after a rebel and Government force clashed.
  The African Union articulates:

       A clearly premeditated and well rehearsed combined 
     operation was carried out by the Government of Sudan military 
     and police at approximately 11 a.m. in the town of Tawilla 
     and its IDP camps in North Darfur. The Government of Sudan 
     forces used approximately 41 trucks, 7 land cruisers in the 
     operation which resulted in a number of deaths, massive 
     displacement of civilians and the destruction of several 
     houses in the surrounding areas, as well as some tents in the 
     IDP camp.

  In addition to these violations, there are reports that the 
Government of Sudan has painted their military trucks in the African 
Union colors, making it extremely difficult for civilians to 
distinguish between monitors or attackers. All parties have violated 
the cease-fire agreement on several occasions since it was established 
in 2004. Conditions for humanitarian organizations remain extremely 
difficult. This week, the United Nations announced its plan to withdraw 
all nonessential staff from Darfur.
  In addition to an upsurge in violence by the Government and the 
government-backed jingaweit militia, I am very troubled by the recent 
violence aimed at the African Union by rebel groups. In particular, the 
recent kidnappings and killings of African Union troops should be 
strongly condemned and swift justice should be brought to the 
perpetrators of these crimes. The African Union has called for these 
events to be brought to the attention of the Security Council in their 
communique of October 10 of this year.
  The New York Times reported yesterday that some of the once-
government-backed militia groups are fracturing and targeting 
government-run entities, such as police stations. Infighting amongst 
the rebels is another common hurdle to achieving peace. This is the 
chaos that has plagued Darfur.
  Ambassador John Bolton's recent decision to block the UN Envoy on 
Genocide from testifying before the Security Council has undoubtedly 
raised some eyebrows. However, if he means what he says--that actions 
speak louder than words--then I urge the Congress, the administration, 
the United Nations, and the international community to do something. I 
applaud Ambassador Bolton's recognition of the fact that the current 
arms embargo is not adequate, it must be expanded, and there must be 
compliance.
  I urge my colleagues to consider these recent events and to redouble 
our efforts to bring an end to the genocide that is happening as I 
speak. I urge my colleagues and the chairman of the

[[Page S11510]]

Foreign Relations Committee to quickly report out the Darfur Peace and 
Accountability Act. I have not spoken directly to it, but I will speak 
about getting this act passed. We need to get it put into law.
  This legislation increases pressure on Khartoum, provides greater 
support for the African Union mission in Darfur to help protect 
civilians and impose sanctions on individuals who are responsible for 
the atrocities, and encourages the appointment of a U.S. special envoy 
to help advance a comprehensive peace process for Darfur and all of 
Sudan. It also calls for the United States to push for a strong 
Security Council resolution, amongst other things, that expands the 
arms embargo.

  We can no longer remain indifferent to the suffering Africans of 
Darfur. We must move beyond the politics and agree on the fundamentals 
that will help save lives immediately. It is quite simple. When the 
``never'' is removed from ``never again,'' it will happen--again and 
again and again. We cannot be silent and inactive on Darfur as people 
die.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Colorado is recognized.

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