[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 95 (Wednesday, July 19, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S7901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           VIOLENCE IN DARFUR

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I am deeply troubled that violence in 
Darfur continues. It is disheartening to learn that the Government of 
Sudan continues to serve as an obstacle to the deployment of U.N. 
peacekeeping forces that could bolster the African Union Mission in 
Sudan, AMIS. While AMIS has conducted its mission to the best of its 
ability, it is clear that it has neither the resources nor the mandate 
to stop the violence that is affecting the lives of millions of 
innocent people. It remains critical that an international peacekeeping 
force be allowed to deploy to Darfur to augment the African Union 
Mission in Sudan and to establish a lasting and sustainable peace.
  Peace in Darfur has been elusive, but it is not unattainable. The 
Government of Sudan must be a willing partner for peace; it must work 
with the international community to find an acceptable and expedient 
plan to introduce peacekeeping forces to that region. Until a more 
robust peacekeeping force can deploy to Darfur, it is important that 
the international community support continuing AMIS efforts there. 
Finally, parties to the conflict in Darfur must also abide by the 
recently agreed upon Darfur Peace Agreement, DPA, although it is 
apparent that this peace agreement is showing signs of strain.
  Peace in Darfur is critical for establishing a lasting and 
comprehensive peace throughout Sudan and the region. That said, we must 
not ignore the continuing need to press for progress on the North-South 
Comprehensive Peace Agreement, CPA. The U.S. Government, with the 
international community and the United Nations, must continue to press 
for progress in implementing the CPA between the north and the south of 
Sudan. Unfortunately, well over a year from the signing of the CPA, it 
has become painfully clear that various important elements of the 
agreement have yet to be implemented, let alone completed. Key issues 
concerning land tenure rights, critical border agreements, oil revenue 
sharing, and armed militias in southern Sudan have yet to be settled or 
addressed fully.
  While much of the lack of progress relating to the CPA relates to the 
complexity of the peace agreement, much of it relates to the limited 
capacity of the Government of Southern Sudan, GOSS, to provide 
effective governance, services, and protection of its citizens. There 
remain serious obstacles to the establishment of a viable and strong 
GOSS, including a continuing lack of sufficient infrastructure 
throughout the south and sporadic violence that disrupts various parts 
of the region. The international community must continue its support of 
Sudan's CPA, which means addressing the capacity that parties to the 
agreement have to implement the agreement.
  The U.S. Government and the international community need to be 
sustained, coordinated, and comprehensive. We cannot dismiss the 
significance of the linkages and impact that each of these agreements 
have on one another, nor their significance for developing a solid 
foundation for addressing conflict throughout the region. Successful 
implementation of both the CPA and DPA will provide significant 
benefits to all communities in Sudan and will set the stage for a new 
era of peace for the entire country and region.

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