    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [September 6, 2001]
    [Pages 1077-1078]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Announcing the Appointment of John C. Danforth as Special Envoy for Peace to the Sudan
    September 6, 2001

        I'm pleased to announce today my appointment of John Danforth of
    Missouri as America's envoy for peace in the Sudan. It's my honor to
    welcome the former United States Senator, his wife, Sally, and distinguished guests here to the Rose Garden for
    this important announcement.
        I am under no illusions: Jack Danforth has taken on an incredibly
    difficult assignment. The degree of difficulty is high. But this is an
    issue that is really important. It is important to this administration--
    it's important to the world--to bring some sanity to the Sudan.
        I'm honored to be on the stage with our Secretary of State, who is
    doing a fabulous job for America. When he speaks, the world listens. And
    when he speaks on this subject, the world will listen.
        I'm honored to welcome Members of the United States Congress who
    have taken this issue very seriously. Thank you all for coming. And I
    want to thank members of the diplomatic corps who are here as well.
        For nearly two decades, the Government of Sudan has waged a brutal
    and shameful war against its own people. And this isn't right, and this
    must stop. The Government has targeted civilians for violence and
    terror. It permits and encourages slavery. And the responsibility to end
    the war is on their shoulders. They must now seek the peace, and we want
    to help.
        Today, the tragedy in Sudan commands the attention and compassion of
    the world. For our part, we're committed to pursuing a just peace, which
    will spare that land from more years of sorrow. We're committed to
    bringing stability to the Sudan, so that many loving Americans,
    nongovernmental organizations, will be able to perform their duties of
    love and compassion within that country without fear of reprisal.
        Recently I appointed a humanitarian envoy, Andrew Natsios, the administrator of USAID, to address the material
    needs. Today I take a step further. By naming a distinguished American,
    a former United States Senator and ordained minister, a man of enormous
    respect, the United States will continue to signal to the rest of the
    world our interest in this subject, our desire to bring governments
    together to achieve a lasting peace.
        I will repeat what I told Jack in the Oval Office: Our
    administration is deeply committed--is deeply committed--to bringing
    good folks together, from within our country and the leadership of other
    nations, to get this issue solved once and for all. It's a test of the
    compassion of the world.
        As I said, the degree of difficulty is high. Jack Danforth brings a
    realistic assessment to what is possible. But he also brings a big heart
    and enormous amounts of energy

    [[Page 1078]]

    and a great commitment. And so it is my honor to bring a good man back
    into Government to take on a difficult yet important assignment.
        Please welcome John Danforth.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:30 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. The transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary also
    included the remarks of former Senator Danforth.