[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1226]
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. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 5, 2007

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 422, 
offered by my good friend from California, Ms. Lee. This resolution 
urges the People's Republic of China to use its influence and economic 
leverage to stop the genocide in Darfur.
  I recently returned from a congressional delegation to China. I 
understand Beijing's unique economic and diplomatic ability to pressure 
the Government of Sudan. For example, China has invested in Sudan's oil 
industry and imports Sudan's oil. China's potential veto power at the 
U.N. Security Council gives China important influence over the issue. 
Finally, as revealed in media reports, China provides military 
assistance to Sudan. In light of these facts, China's condemnation of 
the atrocities in Darfur is simply not enough. For years, despite 
strong condemnation from the international community, the Government of 
Sudan and its Janjaweed allies continue to murder innocent civilians 
with impunity.
  China must not only acknowledge and condemn the atrocities in Darfur, 
it must cease all military arms and related sales to the Sudan. During 
my trip to China, I was told that China is taking numerous steps to 
press Sudan to resolve the crisis in Darfur and that the international 
community should not link the 2008 Olympic Games with what is occurring 
in the Sudan. That is why I was startled to learn a month ago of news 
reports claiming that arms were freely flowing from China to Sudan, 
including reports of Chinese jet fighters in Darfur. For example, 
Amnesty International has reported that Sudan imported $24 million 
worth of arms and ammunition, nearly $57 million worth of parts and 
aircraft equipment, and $2 million worth of parts for helicopters and 
aircraft from China. Such reports are definitely more than the 
``limited'' assistance that Chinese officials claim is taking place.
  I understand that China has taken some constructive steps and is 
deeply concerned about what is occurring in Sudan. I applaud China's 
efforts in using diplomatic means to resolve the conflict, such as the 
April 2007 trip of Zhai Jun to Sudan to push the Sudanese Government to 
accept a United Nations peacekeeping force. These steps are necessary, 
but in a conflict in which at least 200,000 people--some say as many as 
400,000--have died and 2.5 million have been displaced, it is crucial 
to cut off the supply of war machinery which fuels the conflict. On my 
visit to China, I worked strenuously to convey that we all live 
together in the spirit of cooperation and friendship. As the host of 
the 2008 Olympics, I know the Chinese hold this belief and hope that 
they will continue to work together with the international community to 
end the violence in Darfur.

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