[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 36 (Monday, September 10, 2001)]
[Pages 1269-1270]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Announcing the Appointment of John 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

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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 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.