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Sending Vital Assistance to Sudan

by Md. Dem. Sen. Ben Cardin - 10/04/06 9:24 AM ET

Congressional passage of the Darfur Peace & Accountability Act, H.R. 3127, which I co-sponsored, will help provide millions of Sudanese citizens with the assistance they need to survive. I am also pleased that the President recently appointed a Special Envoy to focus exclusively on the ongoing genocide in Sudan.

This measure, which was passed by Congress and will be signed by the President, strengthens sanctions against individuals and governments responsible for the atrocities in Darfur. It also authorizes additional funds for peacekeeping and humanitarian aid, and provides additional assistance to the African Union Mission in Sudan to stabilize the region.

While passage of H.R. 3127 is an important step, more needs to be done. On August 31, the U.N. Security Council authorized that a significantly larger force be deployed to Sudan to protect civilians. That needs to happen. I have urged the United States to increase pressure on the Sudan to accept the new U.N.-authorized force and to establish a no-fly zone in Darfur to help protect civilians.