    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [April 7, 2004]
    [Page 545]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Fighting in the Darfur Region of Sudan
    April 7, 2004

        New fighting in the Darfur region of Sudan has opened a new chapter
    of tragedy in Sudan's troubled history. The Sudanese Government must
    immediately stop local militias from committing atrocities against the
    local population and must provide unrestricted access to humanitarian
    aid agencies. I condemn these atrocities, which are displacing hundreds
    of thousands of civilians, and I have expressed my views directly to
    President Bashir of Sudan.
        For more than 2\1/2\ years, the United States has been working
    closely with the Government of Sudan and the Sudanese People's
    Liberation Movement (SPLM) to bring peace to Sudan. This civil war is
    one of the worst humanitarian tragedies of our time, responsible for the
    deaths of two million people over two decades. Achieving peace and
    reaching a just and comprehensive agreement must be an urgent priority
    for both sides.
        The United States will move toward normal relations with the
    Government of Sudan only when there is a just and comprehensive peace
    agreement between the Government and the SPLM. All parties must also
    ensure that there is unrestricted access for humanitarian relief
    throughout Sudan, including Darfur, and the Government of Sudan must
    cooperate fully in the war against terrorism.
        I continue to hope for peace for the people of Sudan and for
    normalization of relations between Sudan and the United States. However,
    the Government of Sudan must not remain complicit in the brutalization
    of Darfur. I renew my call to Khartoum to bring the peace process with
    the SPLM to a just conclusion and to bring peace and justice to Darfur.