[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 164 (Friday, October 26, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13487-S13488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 SUDAN

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I have repeatedly come to the floor to 
speak about one of the worst human tragedies in recent memory--the 
crisis in Darfur.
  For 4 long years the world has watched this tragedy. We have 
witnessed the killing of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians, 
the torching of entire villages, rape, torture, and untold human 
suffering.

[[Page S13488]]

  Many of us on both sides of the aisle and in the international 
community have repeatedly called for greater U.S. and global action.
  Upon taking office in January of this year, U.N. Secretary General 
Ban Ki-moon said that ending the violence in Darfur was going to be one 
of his top priorities. President Bush has rightly called the situation 
in Darfur genocide. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said that, 
``Darfur is the greatest humanitarian crisis the world faces today.''
  Today, I speak once again about this crisis.
  Quite simply, we are at a critical juncture in Sudan.
  The situation in Darfur has become increasingly complex. Rebel groups 
are jockeying for power and fighting amongst themselves. Banditry and 
lawlessness are on the rise and humanitarian workers remain at great 
risk. In late September, a rebel group brutally killed ten African 
Union peacekeepers in a surprise raid.
  Just last week, reports surfaced of a new, appallingly violent 
massacre in southern Darfur. According to reports, more than 30 
civilians were killed, including a young boy who was shot in the back 
while trying to run away.
  And now the peace agreement between North and South Sudan--a U.S. 
brokered accord that might have formed a blueprint for a political 
settlement in Darfur--appears increasingly in jeopardy.
  Sadly, without action, Sudan may be on the verge of even greater 
instability and human misery.
  Yet thanks in part to the tireless work of Secretary General Ban, we 
also have two critical opportunities to bring about a long-term 
resolution to this crisis.
  First, in late July the U.N. Security Council voted to implement a 
significantly increased U.N./African Union peacekeeping force.
  This peacekeeping force is desperately needed and the United States 
should work with the U.N. and the global community to make sure it is 
deployed as soon as possible.
  I commend the White House for including funding for this urgent 
mission in its supplemental appropriations request.
  But the peacekeepers are only one important step. Sudan also needs a 
long-term political agreement. As Secretary General Ban said recently 
in Sudan, ``There must be a peace to keep.''
  This weekend in Tripoli, a first round of peace talks between the 
various factions and the Sudanese government will begin.
  The peacekeeping forces and the Tripoli negotiations are two critical 
steps toward ending the violence, and they deserve our strongest 
support.
  We must make it clear that we expect all factions to stop the 
violence and participate in good faith in the peace talks.
  We must demand that China and Russia immediately halt the sale of 
weapons in Sudan. That's right, two permanent members of the U.N. 
Security Council are the primary arms suppliers in Sudan. Global 
leaders have a responsibility to halt such sales.
  But ultimately, we must hold the Sudanese government accountable. Its 
culpability in the years of violence and stonewalling of international 
efforts is well known.
  Sudanese President Bashir must be held to his commitment to allow 
peacekeepers in the country and to participate in the peace talks. He 
must also work to ensure the North-South peace agreement does not 
collapse.
  Early statements by his government said that it would ``contribute 
positively to secure the environment for the negotiations'' and 
``facilitate the timely deployment'' of the 26,000 member peacekeeping 
force.
  Sadly, we have every reason to be skeptical of the regime's 
intentions.
  It is therefore critical that we maintain pressure on the Sudanese 
government to honor its commitments. The administration should continue 
its diplomatic efforts and we in Congress should consider tightening 
economic sanctions if the Sudanese government does not cooperate with 
the peacekeepers or the upcoming peace negotiations.
  The stakes are too high, and the humanitarian crisis has dragged on 
too long to allow any more delay in Sudan.

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