Response in support of those suffering in Darfur

By Richard G. Lugar

I have benefited from the opportunity to read of your efforts in support of those suffering from the genocide perpetrated in Darfur, Sudan. The article that drew my attention appeared in the October issue of Hoosier United Methodists together. I was briefed on the September interfaith prayer vigil in Indianapolis and have received the letters that the group conveyed to my staff that day.

Earlier in the year, I was fortunate to have visited Fort Wayne when the Rev. Joe Johns delivered a personal message describing his mission work, as well as many letters of support for the victims of Darfur violence, and advocacy of an appropriate international response. His and your expressions of concern have joined a community of Hoosier and other voices across the country calling for international action. I encourage you to continue to inform and witness the events in this region.

The United States has been leading the international response to the Darfur crisis, and Congress has been in the vanguard since the reports of the situation reached our offices in early 2004. I supported the important Senate Resolution remembering the horrors of the Rwanda genocide upon its tenth anniversary in April 2004, and I cosponsored the Congressional Resolution declaring Darfur genocide in July 2004 in order to encourage the Administration to support a vigorous response.

In September 2004, I chaired a hearing in the Committee on Foreign Relations at which then Secretary Colin Powell declared the ongoing policy of the Government of Sudan in the Darfur region genocide - this was an historic declaration.

"My staff will remain engaged with you and other individuals and groups working in Darfur and here in the U.S. to improve our response."

- Richard Lugar

At that time, I also introduced a bipartisan bill, the Comprehensive Peace in Sudan Act of 2004, which was signed by the President in December (Public Law 108-497). This bill authorized $300 million in assistance over and above existing funding in response to the humanitarian and political catastrophe in Darfur and called for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between North and South Sudan. The CPA was signed by the Sudanese parties in January 2005. In addition, my legislation called for increasing the mandate and size of the African Union peacekeeping mission, the prosecution of those responsible for genocide as well as targeted sanctions against them and their associates. It also requires the President to certify strict compliance by the Government of Sudan with actions to reverse their genocidal policy in Darfur.

In September 2005, the Committee on Foreign Relations held another hearing on Darfur that identified the recent increase in violence on all sides in the conflict and the precariousness of life for more than two million refugees and displaced in the region. Following the testimony of Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, the Committee heard from NATO commander, General Jim Jones, who described the first-ever NATO mission to Africa, in support of the African Union deployment of forces in Darfur. You may be interested in reading the testimony of our witnesses at both of these important hearings. It is available on the Foreign Relations Committee Web site under Hearings at the following address: http://foreign.senate.gov/.

After the September 28 Committee hearing on Darfur, and further review of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (S.1462), I favorably discharged the legislation from the Foreign Relations Committee for consideration by the full Senate with a request that it pass. My staff has indicated to the Majority Leader's office that I support passage of this bill, which is very similar to the legislation I authored in 2004 and the President signed in December of that year. The development of the Sudan bills from both 2004 and 2005 benefited greatly from the input and advocacy of individuals and groups focused on the crisis in Darfur.

Through hearings, statements and discussions, I have encouraged our Executive Branch and foreign governments and organizations to respond vigorously to the crisis in Darfur. I have emphasized that NATO, the United Nations, the African Union and other international entities must increase the attention and resources they are devoting to the Darfur problem. I believe that the United States government, through the President, the Secretary of State, and the Congress, should continue to provide leadership aimed at addressing the humanitarian emergency in the Darfur region and helping to resolve the conflict.

I will continue to encourage the Administration to push for greater international participation and to devote our own resources where they will do the most good. My staff will remain engaged with you and other individuals and groups working in Darfur and here in the U.S. to improve our response. We shall stay informed and will rely on you to do the same. Please let us know if we can be of further assistance in your efforts.

Richard G. Lugar serves as a United States Senator representing the people of Indiana. He is a member of Saint Luke's United Methodist Church in Indianapolis.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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