[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 14589-14597]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




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

  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 422) 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.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 422

       Whereas since the conflict in Darfur, Sudan began in 2003, 
     hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and more 
     than 2,500,000 displaced as a result of the ongoing and 
     escalating violence;
       Whereas on July 23, 2004, Congress declared, ``the 
     atrocities unfolding in Darfur, Sudan, are genocide'' and on 
     September 23, 2004, then Secretary of State Colin Powell 
     stated before the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
     Senate that, ``genocide has occurred and may still be 
     occurring in Darfur,'' and ``the Government of Sudan and the 
     Janjaweed bear responsibility'';
       Whereas on October 13, 2006, the President signed the 
     Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (Public Law 109-344), 
     which identifies the Government of Sudan as complicit with 
     the forces committing genocide in the Darfur region and urges 
     the President to, ``take all necessary and appropriate steps 
     to deny the Government of Sudan access to oil revenues'';
       Whereas President George W. Bush declared in a speech 
     delivered on April 18, 2007, at the United States Holocaust 
     Memorial Museum that no one ``can doubt that genocide is the 
     only word for what is happening in Darfur--and that we have a 
     moral obligation to stop it'';
       Whereas the presence of approximately 7,000 African Union 
     peacekeepers has not deterred the violence and the increasing 
     attacks by the Government of Sudan and Government-sponsored 
     Janjaweed militia and rebel groups;
       Whereas worsening violence has forced humanitarian 
     organizations to suspend operations, leaving a substantial 
     portion of the population of Darfur inaccessible to aid 
     workers;
       Whereas violence has spread to the neighboring states of 
     Chad and the Central African Republic, threatening regional 
     peace and security;
       Whereas the Government of Sudan continues to refuse to 
     allow implementation of the full-scale peacekeeping mission 
     authorized under United Nations Security Council Resolution 
     1706;
       Whereas former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan 
     subsequently negotiated a compromise agreement with the 
     Government of Sudan for a hybrid United Nations-African Union 
     peacekeeping mission to be implemented in three phases;
       Whereas the Government of the People's Republic of China 
     has long-standing economic and military ties with Sudan and 
     continues to strengthen these ties in spite of the on-going 
     genocide in Darfur, as evidenced by the following actions:
       (1) China reportedly purchases as much as 70 percent of 
     Sudan's oil;
       (2) China currently has at least $3,000,000,000 invested in 
     the Sudanese energy sector, for a total of $10,000,000,000 
     since the 1990s;
       (3) Sudan's Joint Chief of Staff, Haj Ahmed El Gaili, 
     recently visited Beijing for discussions with Chinese Defense 
     Minister Cao Gang Chuan and other military officials as part 
     of an eight-day tour of China; Cao pledged closer military 
     relations with Sudan, saying that China was ``willing to 
     further develop cooperation between the two militaries in 
     every sphere'';
       (4) China has reportedly cancelled approximately $100 
     million in debt owed by the Sudanese Government;
       (5) China is building infrastructure in Sudan and provided 
     funds for a presidential palace in Sudan at a reported cost 
     of approximately $20,000,000; and
       (6) Data provided by the Government of Sudan to the United 
     Nations for 2005 states that Sudan imported at least 
     $24,000,000 in arms and ammunition from the People's Republic 
     of China, as well as nearly $57,000,000 in parts and aircraft 
     equipment, and $2,000,000 in helicopter and airplane parts 
     from China, making China the largest provider of military 
     arms and equipment to Sudan, even as Sudan has defended its 
     right to transfer and use such military arms and equipment in 
     Darfur for military operations;
       Whereas given its economic interests throughout the region, 
     China has a unique ability to positively influence the 
     Government of Sudan to abandon its genocidal policies and to 
     accept United Nations peacekeepers to join a hybrid United 
     Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission;
       Whereas the President's Special Envoy to Sudan, Andrew S. 
     Natsios, further said in testimony on April 11, 2007, that 
     ``China's substantial economic investment in Sudan gives it 
     considerable potential leverage, and we have made clear to 
     Beijing that the international community will expect China to 
     be part of the solution'';
       Whereas the Government of the People's Republic of China's 
     recent appointment of a senior diplomat as China's special 
     representative on African affairs who shall focus specific 
     attention on the Darfur issue and its pledge to provide 
     military engineers to support African Union peacekeeping 
     forces in Darfur are welcome developments, but do not 
     demonstrate that Beijing is truly committed to using all the 
     considerable diplomatic and political means at its disposal 
     to stop the genocide in Darfur;
       Whereas due to its large population, its rapidly growing 
     global economy, its large research and development 
     investments and military spending, its seat as a permanent 
     member of the United Nations Security Council and on the 
     Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, China is an emerging power 
     that is increasingly perceived as a leader with significant 
     international reach and responsibility;
       Whereas in November 2006, China hosted its third Forum on 
     China-Africa Cooperation with more than 40 heads of state in 
     attendance and which focused heavily on trade relations and 
     investment on the African continent as it is expected to 
     double by 2010;
       Whereas China is preparing to host the Olympic Summer Games 
     of 2008, the most honorable, venerated, and prestigious 
     international sporting event and has selected ``One World, 
     One Dream'' as a slogan for those games;
       Whereas China should act consistently with the Olympic 
     standard of preserving human dignity in Darfur, Sudan and 
     around the world; and
       Whereas China has been reluctant to use its full influence 
     to improve the human rights situation in Darfur: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) calls upon the Government of the People's Republic of 
     China to--
       (A) acknowledge publicly and condemn the atrocities taking 
     place in Darfur;
       (B) cease all military arms, ammunition, and related 
     military equipment sales to the Government of Sudan; and
       (C) take steps to immediately suspend economic cooperation 
     with the Government of Sudan and investment in Sudan until 
     and unless the Government of Sudan--
       (i) stops its attacks on civilians;
       (ii) complies with all United Nations Security Council 
     resolutions related to Darfur; and
       (iii) engages in good faith negotiations with Darfur rebel 
     groups to achieve a sustainable negotiated peace agreement;
       (2) recognizes the close relationship between China and 
     Sudan and strongly urges the Government of the People's 
     Republic of China to use its full influence to--
       (A) urge the regime in Khartoum to comply with the 
     deployment of the peacekeeping force authorized by United 
     Nations Security Council Resolution 1706;
       (B) call for Sudanese compliance with United Nations 
     Security Council Resolutions 1556 and 1564, and the Darfur 
     Peace Agreement, all of which demand that the Government of 
     Sudan disarm militias operating in Darfur;
       (C) call on all parties to the conflict to adhere to the 
     2004 N'Djamena ceasefire agreement and the recently-agreed 
     United Nations communique which commits the Sudanese 
     Government to improve conditions for humanitarian 
     organizations and ensure they have unfettered access to the 
     populations they serve;
       (D) emphasize that there can be no military solution to the 
     conflict in Darfur and that the formation and implementation 
     of a legitimate peace agreement between all parties will 
     contribute toward the welfare and stability of the entire 
     nation and broader region;
       (E) urge all rebel groups to unify and assist all parties 
     to come to the negotiating table in good faith;
       (F) urge the Government of southern Sudan to play a more 
     active role in pressing for legitimate peace talks and take 
     immediate steps to support and assist in the revitalization 
     of such talks along one single coordinated track;
       (G) engage collaboratively in high-level diplomacy and 
     multilateral efforts toward a renewed peace process; and
       (H) join the international community in imposing economic 
     and other consequences on the Government of Sudan if that 
     Government continues to carry out or support attacks on 
     civilians and frustrate diplomatic efforts; and
       (3) recognizes that the spirit of the Olympics, which is to 
     bring together nations and people from all over the world in 
     peace, is incompatible with any actions directly or 
     indirectly supporting acts of genocide.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from

[[Page 14590]]

Tennessee (Mr. Tanner) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Tennessee?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, 
and yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Six days ago, the President imposed a new series of sanctions on the 
Sudanese government and its murderous leaders. The administration may 
have sent a stronger message a month ago, but did not. But new American 
sanctions, however belatedly imposed, are in place. Now the rest of the 
civilized world must respond. Strong sanctions represent a crucial 
bridge in efforts to force the regime in Khartoum to give up its 
reprehensible program of genocide in Darfur. But it is now readily 
apparent that we can only cross that bridge with the help of China.
  Time and again, we have witnessed national interests taking 
precedence over the destruction of people's lives, their society and 
their culture. China, purely for economic interests, in our opinion, 
has stood firmly in the way of a robust international response to the 
Darfur genocide.
  It has been 3 years since this Congress declared that the unfolding 
atrocities in Darfur constitute genocide. Yet, since it began, China 
has acted as a shield for Sudan against international criticism and 
tough sanctions at the United Nations.
  In spite of unimpeachable evidence of genocide and other atrocities, 
China has continued as Sudan's largest trading partner and the main 
foreign investor in its oil sector.
  China's sales of arms and military equipment to Khartoum is even more 
disturbing. But China has taken it one step further by actually 
blocking efforts to send international forces into Darfur.
  Several countries have been resistant. But among the states unwilling 
to support a robust civilian protection operation to stop the genocide, 
China assumes a unique culpability because of its influence, its 
permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, and its role in Sudan.
  In 2004, China forced the Security Council to water down an oil 
sanctions resolution and threatened it would veto any future 
resolutions sanctioning Sudan.
  China shielded Khartoum against international sanctions while the 
Sudanese military drove tens of thousands out of their communities and 
oil regions just to speed exploration.
  In 2006, China explicitly argued to the Security Council against a 
peacekeeping deployment to Darfur, arguing that it could not support 
the resolution because Sudan's government was not yet ready to accept 
U.N. peacekeepers on its soil.
  Not only did China oppose the deployment on behalf of Sudan, its 
Ambassador lobbied hard for the Russians to take the same position. 
Only under relentless international pressure, with the actress Mia 
Farrow and others raising the specter that the upcoming Beijing 
Olympics will become the ``Genocide Olympics,'' has China finally begun 
to take a few small, constructive steps in the right direction on 
Sudan.
  If we are going to save lives in Darfur, it is imperative that we 
keep the pressure on China to force Sudan to end the atrocities, resume 
peace talks and bring resolution to the horror known as Darfur.
  This very important resolution calls on China to condemn explicitly 
the atrocities in Darfur, to cease military arms sales, to suspend 
economic cooperation with Sudan and use its influence to urge President 
Bashir to comply with full and immediate deployment of the African 
Union peacekeeping force.
  It also calls on all parties to the conflict to adhere to the 
ceasefire agreement and allow unfettered access by humanitarian workers 
to those in need. It's a clear signal to China and Sudan that their 
relationship cannot and will not withstand the glare of international 
scrutiny.
  Unless it wants to permanently scar its reputation, China must act as 
a responsible world power and use its influence to stop this now.
  I therefore urge passage and commend the author, my friend and 
colleague, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, for her tireless leadership on 
the Darfur issue.
  Let me also thank our majority leader, Steny Hoyer, for his 
consistent and effective efforts to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in strong support of House Resolution 422, which calls on the 
government of the People's Republic of China to use its unique 
influence and leverage to stop genocide and violence in Darfur.
  I wish to thank my colleague from California, Ms. Barbara Lee, for 
introducing this important measure, and for all of the cosponsors who 
she has gathered and their strong and steadfast support of efforts to 
halt the humanitarian disaster which continues to unfold daily in 
Sudan.
  I had the honor of traveling to the camps of the internally displaced 
persons in Darfur with Ms. Lee, and I thank her for her courageous 
leadership in this effort.
  In July 2004, as my good friend from Tennessee stated, the House 
boldly declared that genocide was occurring in the Darfur region of 
western Sudan. Nearly 3 years later, the bombing, rape and murder 
continue.
  Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, and more than two 
million people have been forced from their homes by marauding militias 
and a callous government bent on total destruction.
  And while I'm encouraged by the leadership of our United States 
Government and attempts to end this carnage, I cannot help but feel a 
profound sense of frustration. Where is the rest of the international 
community?
  The U.S. Government has provided vital support for the African Union, 
the United Nations peacekeeping forces. We've led diplomatic efforts to 
find a political solution to the crisis. We've donated over $2.6 
billion in humanitarian assistance for Darfur and Chad since 2005.
  And just last week the President announced that he would impose tough 
additional sanctions against key individuals and businesses linked to 
human rights abuses in the region. Included among those businesses were 
five major petrochemical companies owned or controlled by the Sudanese 
regime, and an air transport company transferring arms to fighters in 
Darfur.
  President Bush also announced that he had directed the U.S. Permanent 
Representative to the U.N. to seek passage of a Security Council 
resolution which would sanction the regime in Khartoum, expand and 
extend the arms embargo and impose a no-fly zone over Darfur.
  These measures have been characterized as unhelpful by some, 
including the Sudanese regime's representatives here in Washington, as 
well as by Chinese officials.
  And it's no wonder, Mr. Speaker. As the resolution before us 
indicates, China purchases up to 70 percent of Sudan's oil. It has $3 
billion invested in the energy sector in Sudan, and it has exported at 
least $24 million in arms and ammunition and another $59 million in 
aircraft equipment to Sudan.
  This continues, despite the Sudanese regime's insistence that it can 
use these funds and equipment for military operations in Darfur; that 
is, to continue the carnage against Sudanese civilians there.
  Regrettably, the Chinese leadership appears unwilling to sacrifice 
its economic interests in Sudan for the sake of humanity. This is 
unacceptable, and it is also no surprise.
  Beijing must take immediate steps to prevent further death, misery 
and

[[Page 14591]]

destruction by compelling the regime in Khartoum to end these 
atrocities.

                              {time}  1610

  This means suspending economic cooperation with and stopping all 
military equipment sales to Sudan until the Sudanese regime stops its 
assaults on civilians in Darfur, allows the deployment of U.N. 
peacekeepers, disarms militias, and brings all rebel groups and high-
level diplomats together to negotiate a political solution.
  Through this resolution we are challenging China as well as other 
countries who have influence in Sudan to stand with the United States 
at the United Nations and press for immediate deployment of a robust 
peacekeeping mission in Darfur as authorized by Security Council 
Resolution No. 1706. We call on them to support and enforce a rigorous, 
multilateral sanctions regime against those individuals and businesses 
which are complicit in genocide. If China and other nations with 
influence in Sudan choose to look the other way, then we should 
reevaluate our relationship with those governments. It should be made 
clear that governments allied with Khartoum are complicit in a war on 
civilians and the immeasurable human suffering occurring in Darfur.
  I strongly support Ms. Lee's timely resolution, and I take heart in 
the moral strength that has been demonstrated by this administration, 
this body, and the American people.
  The people of Darfur have known too much suffering with the leaders 
of the world showing too much procrastination and China showing far too 
much negligence. The time for action is now. It is long overdue, Mr. 
Speaker.
  I thank the gentlewoman from California for introducing this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the 
author of the resolution, Ms. Barbara Lee of California.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from Tennessee for 
yielding, for his leadership and support to end the genocide in Darfur, 
and also let me just thank our chairman, Congressman Lantos; our 
ranking member, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of the Foreign Affairs Committee; 
and Chairman Payne and the ranking member of the Africa subcommittee, 
Mr. Smith, for their leadership on the issue of Darfur and for working 
together to make sure that all of our efforts here continue to be 
bipartisan. We have over 128 cosponsors of this resolution today.
  Again, thank you to Congressman Jerry Moran of Kansas and also 
Congressman Jim McGovern of Massachusetts and to all of our staff.
  This is a mission that we are all on. Many of us have visited on 
several occasions, and each time we visit Darfur we come back 
recommitted and rededicated to do what we can each and every day to end 
this horrific genocide.
  Thirteen years ago, the world stood by as nearly 1 million people, 1 
million people, were slaughtered in the genocide in Rwanda. The best 
our country could do then, unfortunately, was to apologize for our 
failure to act, and that was after the fact. Many of us swore that 
another Rwanda would never happen again on our watch. But today, Mr. 
Speaker, it is happening again.
  Nearly 3 years ago, under the bold leadership of our good friend, 
Chairman Donald Payne, on July 22, 2004, Congress formally declared 
that genocide was taking place in Darfur. Estimates indicate that 
nearly 450,000 people have been killed, and 2.5 million innocent 
civilians have been displaced to date.
  I witnessed this ongoing tragedy for the first time in 2005 when I 
visited the refugee camps in Chad and Darfur with two great 
humanitarian leaders, Don Cheadle and Paul Rusesabagina, this 
delegation led, again bipartisan, by Chairman Ed Royce. In February, 
2006, under the leadership of our great Speaker, Congresswoman Nancy 
Pelosi, I had the opportunity once again to visit the refugee camps in 
another region of Darfur. This again was a bipartisan delegation. And 
just this past April, along with my colleague Congresswoman Ileana Ros-
Lehtinen, we visited another region in Darfur as part of this visit 
organized by our majority leader, Steny Hoyer.
  As Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen has said, what we saw in Darfur, of 
course, is continuing to deteriorate. More and more people are dying, 
and even humanitarian aid workers are at risk. The day before our 
delegation arrived, five soldiers from Senegal were killed in Darfur, 
African Union soldiers there to protect innocent civilians.
  Unfortunately, for many Darfurians the situation remains grim. Last 
week, many of us expressed our support for the President's announcement 
of additional sanctions on businesses controlled by the government of 
Sudan and on individuals in the Sudanese government. Today, we take 
another step forward by calling on the Chinese to use their unique 
influence with Sudan to end the genocide.
  Mr. Speaker, there is no way to sugarcoat this. China is the 
principal trading partner of a genocidal regime that has thumbed its 
nose at the international community. China reportedly purchases as much 
as 70 percent of Sudan's oil and has cancelled over $100 million in 
debt and has provided $20 million in funding to build a palace for 
General Bashir. China unquestionably has the unique ability to 
influence Khartoum in a positive manner, but they cannot do so by 
simply following a policy of appeasement. They must put real pressure 
on General Bashir to comply with all U.N. resolutions and fully, 
unconditionally accept the U.N.-AU peacekeeping mission. And they must 
urge Sudan to pursue a renewed peace process with all parties, and they 
must insist that humanitarian organizations have unfettered access to 
the 2.5 million people who have been displaced.
  Most importantly, they should deny Bashir the tools to continue 
perpetrating the genocide by cutting off, and I mean cutting off, all 
military arms sales and suspending economic opportunities and 
cooperation with the government of Sudan.
  The economic costs to China for taking these steps today is minimal 
compared to the benefit they would achieve if they would provide to the 
people of Darfur an end to the genocide and the international acclaim 
that China could win by helping to end the genocide.
  I urge our Chinese friends not to view this resolution as a 
condemnation but to view it as an opportunity to take action to end an 
urgent moral and humanitarian crisis. So we are urging the Chinese 
government to act, and our own steps must increase to stop this 
horrific and unbelievable tragedy occurring on our watch.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all of the Members here who are speaking 
in support of this resolution.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to Judge Poe of 
Texas, a distinguished member of our Foreign Affairs Committee.
  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for yielding 
time.
  Sudan is responsible for the genocide in Darfur. ``Genocide'' is a 
fancy term, Mr. Speaker, that means organized murder by a government. 
The violence has displaced over 2 million people, and it has claimed at 
least 500,000 lives. President Bush has announced tougher sanctions on 
businesses and individuals dealing with the government of Sudan, but 
the perpetrators of evil are also propped up by China.
  Seventy percent of Sudan's oil goes to China, and loads of Chinese 
arms regularly find their way to these demons of the desert. No wonder 
China is road-blocking change in Sudan. It is all about money and who 
gets it.
  Though the Chinese have appointed envoys, they haven't done anything 
to pressure the Sudanese to stop murdering their own people. I think it 
is safe to say, Mr. Speaker, that as long as China continues to prop up 
the evil in Sudan, the Chinese government is complicit in this 
atrocity; and I don't think it is too much to ask Congress, in the name 
of basic human rights, to demand that China use its influence in Sudan 
to help stop the genocide. That is why I am proud to cosponsor this 
resolution offered by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).
  Mr. Speaker, the Chinese have an opportunity to show the world that 
they

[[Page 14592]]

care about innocent people and take this blemish off of their 
historical record. It is in their best interest, not to mention the 
best interest of the victims of Darfur, that they pressure Sudan to 
stop the killing of their own people.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield 2 minutes to Ms. 
Shelley Berkley of Nevada.

                              {time}  1620

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud cosponsor of this 
important legislation.
  Everyone in this body knows about the atrocities being committed in 
Darfur. Congress has already labeled them a genocide, and the 
administration followed suit shortly thereafter.
  Last year, we passed the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, which 
seeks to give teeth to our declarations and clamp down on the Sudanese 
government. And yet, despite all of this activity, the horrors 
continue. The Sudanese regime still has not gotten the message that the 
United States is serious about stopping the bloodshed.
  Many countries continue to view the situation as ``business as 
usual.'' China is the largest foreign investor in Sudan and continues 
to provide the Sudanese blood-soaked government with interest free 
loans. They are even engaging in arms sales, despite the clear evidence 
of massacre, rape, destruction, displacement and genocide.
  Mr. Speaker, if we are serious about stopping the bloodshed in Sudan, 
we cannot allow business to continue as usual. The Chinese government 
and governments throughout the world need to start getting the message: 
If you continue to invest in murderous, blood-thirsty regimes, if you 
continue to invest in Sudan, there will be consequences, there will be 
very serious consequences.
  I urge support for this resolution.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am now pleased to yield 4 minutes to 
a leader in worldwide human rights efforts, Mr. Smith of New Jersey.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I thank my good friend and colleague for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Ms. Lee for introducing H. Res. 
422, which calls on the government of the People's Republic of China to 
use its unique influence and economic leverage to stop the atrocities 
being committed in Darfur.
  This measure builds on numerous steps that this Congress and the 
United States Government, through the White House and the executive 
branch, have taken over the past several years to call a halt to the 
relentless killings, rapes and displacement of the innocent men, women 
and children in that region.
  Mr. Speaker, it is very clear that Sudan's soil has been soaked in 
the blood of innocent people. Sudan has not suffered just one, but two 
genocides. Everybody will recall that in southern Sudan, some two 
million people were slaughtered by the Bashir government; another 4 
million people were displaced.
  When President Bush came into office, he announced that Senator 
Danforth would become our special envoy, and very vigorous and robust 
efforts were made to try to stop the killing in southern Sudan. We 
succeeded. But after a short period of time new hostilities broke out 
in the Darfur region in 2003, in February, and the blood-letting was 
beginning again. Darfur is now the second genocide that has occurred in 
Sudan.
  I think we should note for the record that no other nation on Earth 
has done as much as the United States to stop the genocide. Most of the 
food and the medicines at the refugee camps that my colleagues and I 
have all visited, looked in the eyes of so many people who have 
suffered so much, has come from the U.S. taxpayer. I think that should 
give us some sense of meaning that we have played a significant role in 
alleviating at least some of this suffering.
  Just last week, President Bush announced the expansion and tightening 
of economic sanctions against the Sudanese government. These sanctions 
include the barring of 30 more companies owned and controlled by the 
government of Sudan from the U.S. financial system, and it is a crime 
for Americans to knowingly engage in businesses with these companies.
  It is apparent, Mr. Speaker, that more can and must be done by other 
members of the international community to address these crimes against 
humanity. A primary culprit is the complicity in this genocide by the 
People's Republic of China. Instead of joining the international 
community in calling an end to the genocide, China has served as 
enabler-in-chief to the atrocities that continue to take place in 
Darfur. Not only has the Chinese government provided Bashir with funds 
and weapons, about over $90 million worth in 2005 alone, but it has 
lavished him with gifts and a false sense of legitimacy. The money and 
the weapons that Sudan has received from China has made the Chinese 
government absolutely complicit in these crimes against humanity.
  And now we see China's thwarting or attempting to thwart a U.S.-led 
effort at the U.N. Security Council for a resolution that would impose 
extended international arms embargo and new sanctions against the 
Sudanese government. According to Reuters last week, the Chinese 
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said, ``New sanctions against Sudan would 
only complicate the issue. China appeals to all parties to maintain 
restraint and patience.''
  I would urge this spokeswoman and all Chinese officials to go to 
Darfur and again look into the eyes of those who have suffered, look in 
the eyes of at least some of the 2 million people who have been 
displaced from their homes, look into the eyes of some of the families, 
the survivors of the 450,000 that have been killed and say, ``let's 
look for patience and restraint.''
  China has covered itself in shame. It has enabled two genocides, 
southern Sudan and now in Darfur. Still, because so many victims are 
going to be suffering today and tomorrow and the next day, we appeal to 
the Chinese government, Mr. Speaker, to join us as peacemakers in that 
troubled region.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Mr. Steve Israel 
from New York for 2 minutes.
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Tennessee, and I 
rise in support of this very important resolution.
  I want to thank the sponsor of this resolution, the gentlewoman from 
California, not only for authoring it, but for working with me several 
weeks ago on an amendment that passed by a bipartisan margin in the 
House of Representatives to send a message to the leaders of Sudan that 
we will not tolerate genocide and in fact we will explore the upgrade 
of the Abeche airbase, which is located 100 miles from the border in 
Chad.
  This is a very important resolution. I rise in support of this 
resolution today because too few people rose in support of those from 
my faith who were victimized by a holocaust in the 1930s and 1940s.
  When I came to this body, Mr. Speaker, I made a vow that I would 
stand up and oppose and fight against and speak out against any 
genocide, and speak out against any power that was wittingly or 
unwittingly empowering or assisting in a genocide, which is what brings 
me to the floor today.
  I was recently in China just 2 months ago engaging the Chinese 
government on a broad range of energy security issues. China has one of 
the world's fastest growing economies, arguably the world's fastest 
growing economy. By the year 2030, it will have more cars on its roads 
than we have on our roads. It is expanding its defense budget. China 
can be an important partner with the United States in leading the 
world, but with that role in leading the world comes a responsibility 
not to empower, not to assist any kind of genocide. It is time for the 
leadership of China to stand up with our democracy and say no to the 
genocide that is occurring in Darfur, and China has a critical 
opportunity to do that. They purchase 70 percent of Sudan's oil. They 
invested over $10 million in the Sudanese energy sector over the last 
two decades. They are the main supplier of arms to Sudan with $83 
million exported there in 2005.

[[Page 14593]]

  Mr. Speaker, we want to work with China. We want to engage China. We 
want to work with China to lead the world in a constructive way on 
stability and peace and economic development and environmental 
stewardship, but China needs to show the world that it is willing to 
engage those who are perpetrating a genocide, to draw the line and say 
it will not be tolerated. That is precisely what this resolution does. 
I am very pleased and proud to support it.
  I thank the gentlewoman from California again for her leadership, and 
I will continue, with my colleagues on a bipartisan basis, to stand up 
and speak out when genocide is committed, or against those who assist 
in the commission of a genocide.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield such time as he 
may consume to Mr. Goodlatte of Virginia, with whom I had the honor of 
traveling to Darfur on Ms. Lee and Mr. Hoyer's trip to that area 
recently.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. I thank the gentlewoman, and I thank her for her 
leadership on this issue.
  Mr. Speaker, earlier this year I had the opportunity to travel with 
Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, Majority Leader Hoyer and other members of 
a bipartisan congressional delegation to the war-torn nation of Sudan 
and see firsthand one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent times.
  As a Nation dedicated to freedom and the rights of the individual, 
the United States has a responsibility to speak out when those rights 
are violated. While in Darfur, we saw directly the atrocities in this 
besieged nation. We toured the Alsalam Internally Displaced Persons 
Camp, where 47,000 people seeking food, water and safety live in 
crowded, deplorable and often still unsafe conditions.

                              {time}  1630

  This is one of nearly 100 such camps which collectively have more 
than 2 million people. They live in small, makeshift twig huts, many 
only the size of a pup tent. On numerous occasions, the IDP camps 
themselves have been attacked. And this is just one of many examples of 
the deplorable situation in Darfur.
  There is no doubt that the ongoing crisis in Darfur has led to a 
major humanitarian disaster. We along with the rest of the world must 
band together to bring change to this horrible situation. Next year the 
world will join together to celebrate the Olympic Games. The Olympic 
spirit brings together nations and people from all over the world in a 
spirit of peace. The People's Republic of China as the Olympic host 
country has a profound responsibility to ensure that spirit of peace 
will be celebrated throughout the games. However, I am deeply worried 
that this spirit will be deeply compromised due to China's implicit 
acquiescence to the atrocities being committed in Darfur.
  The People's Republic of China has a deep relationship with Sudan and 
has substantial economic investment there. China's connection to Sudan, 
a country that supports the genocide of its own people, is troubling 
and seriously undermines the spirit of the Olympic Games.
  There is no question that China is in a position to help improve the 
situation in Darfur. As an economic partner to Sudan, China must use 
all means possible to help bring an end to this genocide. As they seek 
to host the world, they must show the true extent of their leadership 
and call for an end to this genocide.
  House Resolution 422 rightfully calls on the People's Republic of 
China to end military and economic assistance to Sudan until Sudan 
ceases attacking civilians and promotes the humanitarian and 
peacekeeping efforts going on in Darfur in its own country. I urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution and call on China to fully 
support the Olympic spirit by calling on Sudan to end the genocide in 
Darfur.
  While I have never seen anything like what I saw in Darfur, the 
situation is not completely hopeless. The humanitarian assistance the 
United States is providing is helping millions of people in desperate 
circumstances. But we must continue to do more and we must urge the 
international community to join with us to bring an end to the 
genocide. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to continuing to work with my 
colleagues in a bipartisan spirit to bring an end to this international 
crisis.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I now am proud to yield the floor to Mr. 
George Miller from California for 2 minutes.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding 
and I thank all of my colleagues who have spoken on this resolution and 
certainly to Barbara Lee, my colleague from California, who has been 
such a not only supporter and the author of this resolution but all of 
our efforts to change the situation in Darfur.
  I had the honor to accompany Congresswoman Lee and our Speaker to 
Darfur a year ago February and saw the incredible devastation and the 
brutality and the genocide that is taking place there and vowed to do 
whatever I can to see if we can change it. I have been wearing this 
green band to save Darfur for over a year and a half. But this band 
will not save the people of Darfur, all of my constituents, thousands 
of my constituents who have marched throughout the Bay area, who have 
come across the country to march to save Darfur will not save Darfur. 
What will save Darfur is the nations of the world owing up to their 
responsibility to reject this genocide, to stop this genocide, to stop 
this holocaust against these people and get the government of Sudan to 
do so.
  Of course today we are here to call upon the nation of China to owe 
up to its responsibilities, given its huge influence, its economic 
influence, its military influence, its resource influence in Sudan, to 
use that influence to get the government of Sudan to start to sit down 
and to negotiate with all of the parties to end the arms trade that is 
taking place, to stop the economic engagement until such time as these 
people in Darfur are once again made safe, until these people in Darfur 
are once again allowed to return to their villages, to their families 
and start to put their lives back together and to end the genocide. 
That's what is necessary to be done.
  My colleague Mr. Goodlatte referred to the Olympics. It's hard to 
believe that the world is going to look upon the host of the Olympics 
and see there at the same time a nation that is underwriting a 
genocide. That is absolutely on a daily basis by its inaction and then 
by its positive actions underwriting and allowing the genocide to go 
forward. It's not that China can stop this alone, but in concert with 
the rest of the nations of the world that have called out for an end to 
this genocide, to take actions against the economic activity and the 
military activity in Sudan.
  Congresswoman Lee has pushed the effort of divestiture that has been 
followed up in many States and cities and universities and other 
entities. This has got to continue to stop the genocide that now so 
many of my colleagues have witnessed firsthand on those terrible, 
terrible visits to Darfur where we see the worst of humanity and the 
violence against these individuals and their families and their 
children. It has got to stop. I want to thank my colleagues for 
bringing this bipartisan resolution to the floor to help us try and end 
the genocide in Darfur.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time we have?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Tennessee has 5 minutes.
  Mr. TANNER. I am pleased to yield to the author of the resolution our 
remaining time.
  Ms. LEE. Let me thank the gentleman once again for yielding and would 
like to thank so many of our young people from around the country who 
have been nonstop in their work to end the genocide. Also, I would like 
to thank and recognize and salute the faith community, because this has 
been a movement to save Darfur by young people in the faith community. 
I would just like to mention a few of the organizations that have been 
unbelievable and unrelenting in their commitment. The Save Darfur 
Coalition, and my colleague from California referred to our

[[Page 14594]]

arm bands, Not on Our Watch, Save Darfur. The Sudan Divestment Task 
Force. The American Jewish World Service. STAND, which is the Student 
Anti-Genocide Coalition. Dream for Darfur. Genocide Intervention 
Network. ENOUGH: The Project to End Genocide and Mass Atrocities. These 
are examples of the type of organizations at the grassroots level that 
have been working day and night to help us here in the House of 
Representatives understand our focus and what we need to do as a 
country to join hands to end this horrible massacre that is taking 
place.
  I just want to once again thank Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, 
Chairman Lantos, Mr. Tanner from Tennessee and especially once again 
Congressman Don Payne for beating the drum, oftentime being a lone 
voice in the wilderness, but making sure that the rest of the world 
knew that it is incumbent upon the United States Government to lead to 
end this genocide and to say again to our country, to the world, not on 
our watch will this take place. And today we are taking one more step 
closer to bringing the world together to ask China to join with us, as 
Congressman George Miller said, to stop underwriting this genocide that 
is taking place and to come together now with people and countries of 
good conscience who stand together to say to General Bashir and the 
Sudanese government to stop this carnage, to allow the people of Darfur 
to return home to their villages. They want to go home. They want to go 
live their lives and raise their children. We want the international 
forces, the U.N. forces, to go in and to help protect the refugees and 
to help the AU forces to make sure that people are protected until they 
can go home. And, of course, finally to find a long-term political 
solution.
  A month ago we called upon the League of Arab Nations to do the same 
thing. And so it's time that the world stand together and say, no more. 
It's time that we stand together and say to the people of Darfur that 
hope is coming and that 450,000 people should not have been tolerated, 
but we don't want to see another single death occur as a result. China 
has got to help us do this. And so today we are asking the Chinese 
government in the spirit of cooperation to help stop this genocide that 
is taking place.
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, a little over a year ago, Chairman Lantos 
and I protested in front of the Sudanese Embassy about the continuing 
genocide in Darfur. I'm privileged to say that I've shared jail time 
with the distinguished gentleman from California.
  I also want to thank Congresswoman Lee for her leadership on this 
issue, and I'm honored to be an original cosponsor of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, others have already described the terrible humanitarian 
crisis affecting the civilian population of Darfur. Crimes against 
humanity are committed on a daily basis. President Bush and the 
Congress have determined the systematic killings and deprivations in 
Darfur constitute acts of genocide.
  These serious matters demand a sustained, multilateral response by 
the United States and the international community. Together, we must 
pressure the Government of Sudan to stop the killing, stop the arming 
and support of proxy militias, and negotiate and implement a just and 
lasting peace.
  Key to the success of such a strategy is the active support of 
Sudan's major economic and political partners: China, Russia, Malaysia, 
Egypt and India.
  China is Sudan's largest economic partner and its largest provider of 
military arms and equipment.
  China can play a significant, perhaps even decisive, role in ending 
the genocide in Darfur and convincing Khartoum to negotiate a lasting 
peace accord.
  But will it?
  China has taken some steps in the right direction. It supported the 
deployment of a joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force, 
and recently appointed a special envoy to Darfur.
  But rather than condemn the violence against defenseless civilians, 
China's envoy cited poverty as the reason for Darfur's suffering.
  Did poverty displace over two-and-a-half million people into camps, 
Mr. Speaker?
  Did poverty force another half a million to flee the country and live 
in refugee camps?
  I visited some of these camps in eastern Chad, Mr. Speaker. I saw 
first-hand how the conflict in Darfur is destabilizing Sudan's 
neighbors.
  Did poverty burn Darfur's villages to the ground, poison water wells, 
rape women, murder men, and leave children to die of hunger and thirst?
  No, Mr. Speaker. The regime sitting in Khartoum has orchestrated and 
condoned these actions.
  This resolution asks China to acknowledge this violence and use its 
influence to stop the death and destruction taking place in Darfur.
  To stop selling military arms and equipment to Sudan.
  To exercise its considerable economic leverage by suspending its 
economic ties until Khartoum stops the killing, complies fully with 
U.N. Security Council resolutions, and enters good faith negotiations 
to end the fighting in Darfur.
  Next year, China will host the 2008 Summer Olympics. It has chosen as 
its theme for the Games a motto filled with hope: ``One World, One 
Dream.''
  But life in Darfur is no dream, Mr. Speaker. It's an unspeakable 
nightmare.
  China has the ability to change that reality.
  It is, as always, Mr. Speaker, a matter of political will.
  Is China's so-called dream for the world nothing more than a paper 
banner carried around by a cute and cuddly mascot?
  Or does China genuinely want to play a responsible role in world and 
human events and help stop the genocide in Darfur?
  We are watching, Mr. Speaker.
  The world is watching, Mr. Speaker.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 422.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 422, 
which calls 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. I traveled to Darfur in February 2006. I 
will never forget what I saw, nor will I relent in my work to end the 
ongoing genocide.
  China, if it chose to, could play a critical role in ending the 
genocide in Darfur. The President's Special Envoy to Sudan, Andrew S. 
Natsios, has said that ``China's substantial economic investment in 
Sudan gives it considerable potential leverage, and we have made clear 
to Beijing that the international community will expect China to be 
part of the solution.'' China has a close relationship with the 
Government of Sudan, economically and militarily. It purchases 70 
percent of Sudan's oil. China has agreed to cancel nearly $100 million 
if Sudan's debt to the country, and it has invested over $10 million in 
the Sudanese energy sector over the last two decades. China, already 
the main supplier of arms to Sudan with $83 million exported there in 
2005, recently agreed to cooperate more closely militarily ``in every 
sphere.''
  With this resolution we are asking China to acknowledge and condemn 
the violence taking place in Darfur, Sudan. Additionally, we are 
calling on China to cease all military arms and equipments sales to 
Sudan. Finally, we are strongly encouraging China to suspend economic 
ties to Sudan until the Government of Sudan stops attacking civilians, 
complies with U.N. Security Council resolutions, and enters into peace 
negotiations with rebel groups. China has the ability to end the 
genocide and horror. I hope it chooses to act immediately.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this 
important resolution.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 422, calling on the People's Republic of China to use their 
influence and economic leverage with the Government of Sudan to stop 
the genocide and violence in Darfur. I am proud to join a large number 
of my colleagues, from both sides of the aisle, in cosponsoring this 
important legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, we stand in serious risk of allowing the ongoing 
slaughter in Darfur to become one of the blackest marks on humankind's 
history. This is absolutely unacceptable. It has been nearly 3 years 
since we in Congress declared that ``the atrocities unfolding in 
Darfur, Sudan, are genocide,'' a sentiment that has been repeated only 
recently by President Bush, who went on to say ``we have a moral 
obligation to stop it.'' Congress has been outspoken in expressing a 
bipartisan consensus of disgust at the atrocious human rights abuses 
committed in the western region of Sudan.
  Genocide in Darfur continues to play out on our watch. Current 
estimates put the death toll at 450,000 people, with an additional two 
million driven from their homes and livelihoods into wandering 
uncertainty or refugee camps. More than 3.5 million people within 
Darfur are currently entirely reliant on the international community 
for the crucial aid that might enable them to survive.
  Some valuable foundations have been laid. The 22,500-strong U.N. 
peacekeeping mission

[[Page 14595]]

authorized by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1706 is 
absolutely necessary to boost the brave but struggling African Union 
forces already in the region. These U.N. soldiers must be deployed 
immediately in Sudan, and given unimpeded access to the Darfur region. 
We must continue to press this issue until U.N. boots are actually on 
the ground in Darfur.
  To do this, we must step up pressure on China. As the principle 
export destination of Sudanese oil, China is complicit in the genocide 
perpetrated by the Sudanese government. However, the immense economic 
and diplomatic weight wielded by the Chinese government could be used 
to great effect in ending the killing in Darfur, if applied to that 
end. It remains my hope that China may be persuaded to provide the type 
of constructive leadership in Sudan befitting a great power.
  To this end, this resolution strongly urges China to acknowledge and 
condemn the atrocities in Darfur, to cease all military arms and 
related sales, to suspend economic cooperation with the Government of 
Sudan, and to work to positively influence the Government of Sudan to 
achieve a number of specific objectives, including the full compliance 
with Security Council Resolutions.
  As China prepares to host the 2008 Summer Olympics, I believe we 
should expect China to work to live up to its own Olympic slogan: ``One 
World. One Dream.'' The time for admirable speeches and impassioned 
rhetoric, valuable though these are, has passed. The people of Darfur 
need definitive action and decisive leadership, and they need it now. 
Now is the moment to seize upon bipartisan common ground, and to work 
together to respond actively, to fulfill our humanitarian promises, and 
to finally help bring an end to this shameful chapter in human history. 
This bill is an important, definitive, and imaginative step toward this 
goal, and I commend my colleague for introducing this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, Darfur continues to burn on our watch. Since the 
genocide began, we have commemorated both the 60th anniversary of the 
liberation of Auschwitz, and the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan 
genocide with candles and powerful speeches of regret. We have 
expressed a bipartisan consensus against the genocide, and yet it 
continues.
  Though we in Congress are currently faced with a number of important 
and pressing issues vying for our attention, Darfur must be made a 
priority, and it must remain so until the genocide has ended. I 
strongly support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do so as well.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Res. 422.
  This resolution aims at encouraging the People's Republic of China to 
use its influence as one of Sudan's chief purchasers of oil to place 
pressure on the Sudanese government to improve the conditions for the 
people in the Darfur region and allow humanitarian organizations to 
enter the region and assist the people of Darfur.
  The underlying basis for the conflict in the Darfur region is 
difficult to define. Some scholars describe it as a conflict between 
Arab and African cultures, although this is a simplistic view. Whatever 
the foundation of the conflict, the Nile Valley region (the area around 
the Darfur region in Sudan), has had cultural conflicts dating as far 
back as the fourteenth century.
  The current conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan places the 
Sudanese military and the Janjaweed militia against rebel groups, 
including the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality 
Movement. The Sudanese government, while denying its support for the 
Janjaweed militia, has nonetheless provided funding and weapons to the 
Janjaweed.
  Because of this military conflict, humanitarian aid groups have been 
unable to reach most parts of the Darfur region. Further, journalists 
have been prevented from entering the region by the Sudanese 
government, thus ensuring that many of the atrocities occurring in 
Darfur go unreported.
  U.N. officials have estimated that over 400,000 Darfur residents have 
died since the conflict began, many due to starvation. Further 
estimates put the number of residents displaced from their homes at 
over 2 million.
  It is important that the United States look to any means available to 
quell the atrocious acts occurring in Darfur. As a leading arms dealer 
to the country of Sudan, The People's Republic of China is uniquely 
situated to encourage the Sudanese government to accept the decisions 
of the United Nations with regard to helping the inhabitants of the 
Darfur region.
  As China readies itself for the spotlight on the world stage at the 
2008 Beijing Olympics, it is important that China, along with the rest 
of the world, step up its influence on the Sudanese government and 
ensure that the atrocities and human rights violations taking place in 
the Darfur region are put to an end.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my 
colleagues in support of ending the genocide and violence in Darfur, 
Sudan.
  For far too long, the international community has paid inadequate 
attention and devoted insufficient resources to stopping the crisis in 
Darfur. Although the problems of Sudan lay a long way from our homes, 
we have learned from the Holocaust in Europe, as well as ethnic 
cleansing in Yugoslavia and genocide in Rwanda, that an assault on 
humanity anywhere is an assault on humanity everywhere. We cannot 
continue to ignore this genocide without diminishing our own humanity.
  As a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, I am committed 
to bringing security and relief to the people of Darfur. I have led 
efforts to encourage state, local, and university divestment of funds 
from companies that conduct business operations in Sudan. And now I 
join my colleagues in urging China to do the same.
  Given its economic interests throughout the region, China has a 
unique ability to positively influence the Government of Sudan to 
abandon its genocidal policies and to accept the United Nations' 
peacekeeping mission. To be accepted as a responsible player at the 
world's diplomatic table, China must end all military and economic 
assistance to the government of Sudan until Sudan stops overt and 
covert support for attacks on civilians and engages in meaningful peace 
negotiations.
  All members of the international community share a moral obligation 
to end to the human suffering in Darfur. The situation is dire, but I 
am confident that we can all do our part to help stop this genocide and 
bring peace and stability to millions of innocent men, woman, and 
children.
  Calling on the People's Republic of China to use its influence to 
help stop the genocide in Sudan is the right thing to do. That is why I 
urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H. Res. 422.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H. Res. 422, which calls 
on China to use its leverage with the government of Sudan to end the 
genocide in Darfur.
  The ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan already is 
believed to have caused the deaths of almost half a million people. 
More than 200,000 people have been killed by Sudanese Government forces 
and armed militias since 2003, and another 200,000 people have died as 
a result of the deliberate destruction of homes, crops and water 
supplies and the resulting conditions of famine and disease. Over one-
third of the population of Darfur has been displaced, and the United 
Nations estimated that almost 250,000 people have been displaced in the 
past 6 months alone, due primarily to government-sponsored militia 
attacks.
  China, unlike most nations in the international community, has 
cultivated a close relationship with the Government of Sudan. China 
maintains close military ties with Sudan and purchased almost $2 
billion worth of Sudanese oil last year. China also has cancelled $100 
million in Sudanese debt and provided an additional $20 million to 
finance the construction of a presidential palace in the capital city. 
As a result, China is in a unique position to put pressure on the 
Government of Sudan to stop the violence in Darfur. So far, it has 
failed or refused to do so.
  This resolution urges China to acknowledge and condemn the atrocities 
in Darfur, cease all weapons sales to Sudan, and suspend economic 
cooperation with Sudan. The resolution also urges China to use its 
leverage to influence the Government of Sudan to: comply with United 
Nations Security Council Resolutions providing for disarmament of 
militias in Darfur and deployment of a full-scale peacekeeping force; 
participate in peace negotiations to secure a legitimate peace 
agreement between all parties; and improve working conditions for 
humanitarian organizations operating in Sudan and ensure they have 
access to the 2.5 million people displaced by this genocide.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I urge China to 
join with the international community and take a stand against genocide 
in Darfur.
  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 422, which 
calls upon the Government of the People's Republic of China to use its 
unique influence and economic leverage to stop the genocide in Darfur.
  The violence in Darfur grows more gruesome by the day. I led the 
first congressional delegation to Darfur in 2004 with Senator Sam 
Brownback, and I have personally witnessed the nightmare there with my 
own eyes. Every day that passes, more men are killed, more

[[Page 14596]]

women are raped, and more children die of malnutrition. This is simply 
unacceptable.
  The people in Darfur have lost their homes, their livelihoods, their 
loved ones. They have seen unspeakable horrors, carried out by the 
genocidal National Islamic Front in Khartoum and their cruel 
compatriots, the Janjaweed militia.
  The U.S. and the international community have made strong efforts to 
halt the violence in Darfur, and have provided significant levels of 
humanitarian support to the victims of this genocide. However, these 
efforts have largely failed to stop the NIF's desire to complete their 
campaign in Darfur.
  The Chinese Government's destructive role in the region is partly to 
blame for the continuing violence in Darfur. A recent Amnesty 
International report showed that China is making the conflict worse by 
providing weapons to the Sudanese Government to carry out the genocide 
in Darfur.
  When President Hu visited Khartoum in February, instead of using his 
influence to persuade Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to stop the 
violence in Darfur, he promised to build Bashir a brand new palace.
  When President Hu appointed a new special envoy to Darfur, the envoy 
came back from the region claiming that the ``final solution'' for 
Darfur lies with removing ``mistrust'' between the Sudanese Government 
and the United States. He said the violence in Darfur is limited to 
sporadic conflicts along the border with Chad.
  China has used its veto power on the U.N. Security Council to 
repeatedly obstruct efforts by the U.S. and the U.K. to introduce 
peacekeepers to curtail the slaughter. Beijing is uniquely positioned 
to put a stop to the slaughter, yet they have so far been unabashed in 
their refusal to do so.
  China, which is a major business partner of Sudan, should be using 
its influence with the Sudanese Government to bring an end to the 
violence in Darfur. China's role in extracting oil from Sudan and 
maintaining close business relations with this genocidal regime are 
clearly more important to the Chinese Government than saving human 
lives.
  This resolution calls on the Chinese Government to use its influence 
to stop the violence in Darfur. It urges China to push the Sudanese 
Government to accept a hybrid peacekeeping force, to disarm the 
Janjaweed militia, and to join the international community in imposing 
economic sanctions on Sudan if the government continues to support 
attacks on civilians.
  I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this resolution. A 
critical part of our efforts on Darfur is pressing the Chinese 
Government to stop supporting the genocide there. China must begin 
playing a constructive role in the region.
  Mr. OLVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 422 to 
call on the People's Republic of China to use its unique influence and 
economic leverage to halt the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of 
Sudan.
  As hundreds of thousands have died at the hands of government-backed 
militias in Darfur, China, and Sudan have cultivated a mutually 
beneficial relationship that provides crucial energy resources to China 
in return for thwarting international efforts to sanction the Khartoum 
government and deploy a United Nations peacekeeping force in Darfur.
  China and Sudan have extensive economic, political, and military 
ties. China is Sudan's largest foreign investor and purchases two-
thirds of Sudanese oil exports. China has sold arms to the Sudanese 
military and in February cancelled $80 million in Sudanese debt.
  While it can do much more, China has taken some steps to alleviate 
the suffering in Darfur. Last November, China helped negotiate the 
agreement at Addis Abba which called for the deployment of a joint 
United Nations/African Union peacekeeping force. In May, China 
appointed a Special Envoy to Sudan and pledged $5.1 million in 
humanitarian aid to Darfur. Yet these positive steps are far outweighed 
by China's continuing support for the genocidal regime in Khartoum.
  Unless China acts to pressure the Khartoum government into accepting 
a U.N. peacekeeping force, China risks having the 2008 Beijing Olympics 
forever known as the genocide Olympics. China must condemn the violence 
taking place in Darfur, halt all military arms sales to Sudan, and 
suspend economic ties to Sudan until the Government of Sudan stops 
attacking civilians, complies with U.N. Security Council resolutions, 
and enters into peace negotiations with rebel groups.
  As China rises as a power in the 21st century, it must realize that 
with its increased power comes a greater responsibility to take action 
to stop genocide.
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support for H. Res. 
422, which calls on the Government of the People's Republic of China to 
use its unique influence and economic leverage to stop the genocide and 
violence in Darfur.
  The world must be united in its call for an end to genocide. As China 
seeks to enter onto the world stage as a global economic and diplomatic 
power, the government must assume the responsibility, as well as the 
benefits that accompany this distinction.
  China must use its close economic and military ties and advise the 
Sudanese government that genocide is very bad for business. Congress 
and the world are watching. It is imperative that China uses its power 
in a responsible manner and help bring a change to this troubled 
region.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 422, a 
resolution calling on China to use its unique influence and economic 
leverage to stop genocide and violence in Darfur.
  I would like to thank the Congresswoman from California for her 
dedication to human rights throughout the world and especially in 
Darfur.
  I was pleased to be a cosponsor of this bill and pleased that this 
Congress will not let the ongoing genocide go unnoticed or ignored.
  What's taking place in Darfur today is truly a crime against 
humanity. Every day women are raped, men are killed, and children face 
violence, hunger, and desperation.
  China has chosen to continue to invest in Sudan and to prop up a 
government bent on murder and bloodshed. Let us be clear: Any country 
that supports the Khartoum government's brutality--either through 
monetary or military support--is complicit.
  I urge the support of this resolution and call on our own 
administration to take immediate actions to bring an end to the 
genocide in Sudan.
  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 
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.
  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

[[Page 14597]]

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.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Tanner) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 422.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

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