[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1215-E1216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT OF CHINA TO STOP GENOCIDE AND VIOLENCE IN 
                             DARFUR, SUDAN

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 5, 2007

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I wish to support H. Res. 422, a 
resolution calling on the government of the People's Republic of China 
to use its unique influence and economic leverage to stop genocide and 
violence in Darfur, Sudan. This resolution highlights China's inaction 
regarding the genocide in Darfur and I am particularly proud to be a 
cosponsor of this resolution.
  Since the conflict began 4 years ago, 400,000 persons have been 
murdered and 2.5 million displaced. Thousands are still dying from the 
ravages of war each month in an area roughly the size of Texas. This 
campaign of terror in the region has been labeled ``genocide'' by our 
Government.
  China is Sudan's largest trading partner and the main foreign 
investor in Sudan's oil industry. China National Petroleum Corporation 
has a 40 percent share in the international consortium extracting oil 
in Sudan, and it is building refineries and pipelines, enabling Sudan 
to benefit from oil-export-revenue since 1999. Although most Western 
oil companies have withdrawn from Sudan under pressure from human 
rights organizations, Chinese companies have turned a blind eye to the 
brutal way in which Sudan forced 2.5 million of its citizens from oil-
rich lands without compensation. Nor have these companies shown concern 
that Sudan uses oil revenue to purchase arms for its wars against its 
population.
  Mr. Speaker, countless people have spoken out against the tragedy 
taking place in Darfur, but now it is time for elected leaders to 
demand that action be taken to end this genocide in Darfur. If we fail 
to take action it is likely that future generations will view our 
inaction as complicity. I am hoping that our government will do 
everything in its power to stop this genocide. Additionally, it is my 
strong desire that the international community, including China, do 
everything in its power to end this genocide as well.
  H. Res. 422 calls on the People's Republic of China to acknowledge 
and condemn the violence taking place in Darfur, cease all military

[[Page E1216]]

arms and equipments sales to Sudan, and suspend economic ties to Sudan 
until the Government of Sudan stops attacking civilians, complies with 
UN Security Council resolutions, and enters into peace negotiations 
with rebel groups.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 
422, a resolution calling on the government of the People's Republic of 
China to use its unique influence and economic leverage to stop 
genocide and violence in Darfur, Sudan.

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