[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 96 (Thursday, July 20, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S8039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  PRESIDENTIAL ENVOY FOR SUDAN REMARKS

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I wish to discuss a critical issue that I 
have addressed in this Chamber numerous times in the last several 
years, and that is the situation in Darfur. It is truly a shame that in 
July of 2006, the horrendous conditions and continued violence look 
very similar to that which first caught our attention in 2003.
  Despite the recent peace agreement that was reached in early May 
between the Government of National Unity and one faction of the largest 
rebel group, the violence on the ground has continued unabated. This 
has led to a tenuous humanitarian situation.
  According to the United Nations Children's Fund Darfur Nutrition 
Update for June 2006, malnutrition rates and admissions to therapeutic 
feeding centers are rising across Darfur. Under difficult conditions, 
our Government has done a tremendous job in providing assistance to the 
people of Darfur, including contributing over 80 percent of the food 
delivered in Darfur by the World Food Program. Unfortunately, our 
Government's efforts are not enough. Other donors must increase their 
contributions and fulfill the pledges they made.
  To make these matters worse, the Government of Sudan blatantly 
refuses a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Darfur, leaving the African 
Union to try and enforce peace, which it has been unable to do thus 
far.
  For these reasons, I am encouraging President Bush to appoint a 
Presidential envoy for Sudan as soon as possible. The fiscal year 2006 
emergency supplemental includes a provision offered by Senator Biden 
and myself to create a Presidential special envoy and an office in the 
State Department to support it. This envoy is charged with working to 
resolve the conflict in Darfur, facilitating implementation of the 
Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the north and south Sudan, and 
resolving other internal and regional conflicts.
  The timing of this appointment could not be more critical. Deputy 
Secretary of State Bob Zoellick is departing and other key 
administration officials that have been working on Sudan are rotating 
to new positions. I want to personally thank Secretary Zoellick for his 
commitment to peace in Sudan. His tireless efforts were at the 
forefront of this administration's clear commitment to this troubled 
country.
  I urge the President to appoint a trusted leader who is committed to 
bringing about peace in Sudan once and for all.
  The thought of making similar statements about Darfur in 2009 is 
unacceptable.

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