[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.