tom_thinks

For some time now, we've all been hearing reports of a potential genocide in Sudan. The situation seems very serious with estimated death tolls reaching up to 300,000 if nothing is done. Arab militias called the Janjaweed are killing and raping black Muslims. The situation is worsening as refugees cannot return to their homes and therefore have no access to food. Humanitarian aid is being blockaded and the rainy season that begins soon will severely limit what aid might come through in the future. This week Colin Powell and Koffi Annan both visited the Darfur region where the worst atrocities are said to be taking place. These visits are hopefully only the beginning of an effort to stop this massacre;
From the Washington Post:

The draft U.N. resolution being circulated by the Bush administration would ban the Sudanese and other governments from arming, equipping or training the Janjaweed. It also calls for a travel ban on militia leaders and gives the Sudanese government 30 days to halt militia activities and allow unfettered access for relief officials.
If the steps against the militias fail, sanctions could be applied to "any other individuals or groups responsible for the commission of atrocities in Darfur," according to the draft. U.S. officials said that phrase was designed to warn the government that the United States may press the Security Council to impose sanctions on Sudanese government officials if the situation worsens.

A vote on the resolution should take place soon. However, according to an email I got from MoveOn today:

This week, on NPR, Powell said: "Why would we call it a genocide
when the genocide definition has to meet certain legal tests, and
based on what we have seen, there were some indicators but there was
certainly no full accounting of all indicators that lead to a legal
definition of genocide, and that's the advice of my lawyers..."

Calling the situation a genocide would galvanize the world community and do much to aid the situation. So get active and call Colin Powell now. Call your Rep and Senators too. Tell them to recognize the genocide and condemn it publicly.

Secretary of State Colin Powell 202-647-4000 or 202-647-6607 or 202-647-6575
Florida Residents :
Senator Bob Graham
Washington, DC: 202-224-3041
Senator Bill Nelson
Washington, DC: 202-224-5274
Some Gainesville Residents
Congresswoman Corrine Brown
Washington, DC: 202-225-0123

I called this morning and Bob Graham was out of the country, Bill Nelson's office couldn't find their statement on it, and I got someone's voicemail in Corrine Brown's office who 'might know about it.' So obviously these people need to get it together on this.