    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 39 (Monday, October 1, 2007)]
    [Pages 1250-1251]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks During a Meeting With the United Nations Security Council in New
    York City

    September 25, 2007

        Mr. President, thank you. And thank you for convening this meeting
    of the United Nations Security Council. I appreciate the opportunity to
    join you. And I appreciate your focus is--your focus on the challenges
    to peace and security in Africa, particularly in Sudan and Darfur.
        The reason I say that is, my Nation has labeled what's taking place
    in Darfur as genocide, and when we find genocide, it's time to do
    something about it. Time is of the essence. And so, Mr. President,
    you're focusing our attention on this crucial matter.
        I want to thank the Secretary-General, as well, for your support of
    the people of Darfur. I appreciate your determination to make relieving
    their suffering a priority of the United Nations.
        And I want to thank Chairperson Konare for the leadership of the
    African Union. After all, you deployed 7,000 troops. But 7,000 troops is
    not enough, if you believe what's taking place on the ground is
    genocide. Now maybe some don't think it's genocide, but if you've been
    raped, you think it's--your human rights have been violated. If you're
    mercilessly killed by roaming bands, you know it's genocide. And the
    fundamental question is, are we the free world willing to do more?
    You've made a strong effort, and we appreciate you. But you know better
    than me that the area of Darfur is bigger than France, or Texas, and
    both are plenty big for 7,000 troops.
        Your Excellencies, the fighting in Darfur between the rebels and the
    Government continues. Two hundred thousand people have lost their lives;
    200,000 innocents are no

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    longer with us. More than 2 million people have been forced from their
    homes. They're fleeing the violence. And they go into refugee camps, and
    they head into neighboring countries like Chad and Central African
    Republic.
        And that's why I appreciate your leadership, Mr. President, to help
    these countries help these refugees. The resolution adopted today
    addresses the plight of the refugees in Chad and Central African
    Republic. In other words, it's a step in the right direction. It's a
    practical solution to a big problem. It's a part of a grand solution,
    Mr. President. That's why your leadership is appreciated.
        The resolution authorizes the deployment to these two nations of a
    robust European peacekeeping force and several hundred police and
    military advisers. This U.N. mission is going to help national and local
    governments exercise sovereignty over their territory. It's going to
    allow workers to deliver humanitarian aid. That makes us feel good.
    We're spending $2 billion so far on providing aid, and we want to make
    sure our aid gets to the people who need help.
        And that's why the United States strongly supports the resolution
    and the mission. We continue to support swift implementation of existing
    resolutions of this Council. We want the words of this Council to mean
    something. We want it to be said, when the Council speaks on behalf of
    suffering people, those words will be followed by action.
        And so we call on the Government in Khartoum to facilitate the
    deployment of a robust U.N. peacekeeping force to save life. We call on
    all parties to cease arm sales to the combatants. We expect people
    gathered around this table to send a focused message that innocent life
    matters. We expect President Bashir to observe a cease-fire during next
    month's peace talks, and we want the rebels to do the same.
        We're tired--the message has got to be, we're tired of people trying
    to escape the noose of pressure. We want the pressure to be uniform.
    Why? Because we believe in universal freedom and peace.
        The conflict in Darfur has claimed too many lives, and there's too
    much suffering. The innocent victims of this conflict want only to
    return to their homes. They want to live in peace. And it's our duty to
    help them realize that dream.
        Thank you, Mr. President.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:35 p.m. in the Security Council Chamber
    at United Nations Headquarters. In his remarks, he referred to President
    Nicolas Sarkozy of France, in his capacity as President of the United
    Nations Security Council; Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of the United
    Nations; Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairperson, Commission of the African
    Union; and President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir of Sudan.