i'm posting the reply i just received from my senator on darfur.
i have to say this for senator spector, he has always without fail, had the most detailed replies to send out on any given subject. his office has always been fast in replying as well.
whether it does any good or not. at least i try.



Thank you for contacting my office regarding the state of affairs in the Darfur region of Western Sudan . I appreciate hearing from you.



Tensions are not new to this drought plagued region where Arabic nomads and African farmers have long competed for land and resources. However, the current crisis began in February 2003 when two non-Arab Darfur rebel groups, the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), rose up against Sudan 's Arab dominated government, demanding the same resource and power-sharing concessions being offered to rebels in southern Sudan who were then engaged in peace talks to end a separate conflict with the Government in Khartoum .


The response from the Government of Sudan was swift and brutal. An estimated 200,000 Sudanese refugees fled to neighboring Chad telling of a scorched earth campaign being carried out by armed militias, known as the Janjaweed, supported by the Government of Sudan. While the Government bombarded villages from the air, the Janjaweed militias followed on the ground murdering men and children, raping and branding women, and pillaging and burning homes.



The House and Senate declared the atrocities in Darfur "genocide" in July 2004. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, in remarks before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on September 9, 2004, stated that, "genocide has been committed in Darfur and that the Government of Sudan and the Janjaweed bear responsibility." Further, the International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur , in its January 25, 2005 report to Secretary General Kofi Annan, found that, "the Government of Sudan and the Janjaweed are responsible for serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law amounting to crimes under international law."



On May 5, 2006, due to continued pressure by the U.S. Government, in particular the efforts of former Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, the Government of Sudan and the strongest faction of the SLA signed the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA). The international community was hopeful that this agreement would pave the way towards a lasting peace in the region. Unfortunately the JEM and other small rebel groups did not sign the agreement, the Janjaweed has not been disarmed and violence persists resulting in the continued deterioration of the humanitarian and security situation.



Today, the situation in Sudan represents the worst humanitarian crisis facing the world. Some estimate that 400,000 people have died in the region as a result of violence, disease or starvation. The crisis has resulted in over 2 million people displaced from their homes and dependent on aid agencies for survival. In addition, the African Union (A.U.) peacekeeping force deployed in Darfur is slow, poorly equipped and too small. Moreover, it has a limited mandate that allows it to monitor but not enforce the cease-fire agreement, and is facing pressure from the government of Sudan to leave the region.



With so many lives hanging in the balance, it is vital that the U.S. demonstrate its commitment at the highest level to resolving the Darfur crisis. On March 8, 2007 I became the lead Republican sponsor of the Sudan Divestment Authorization Act of 2007 . This bill would support state and local community efforts to divest from companies that do business with the government of Sudan . On September 1, 2006, I wrote to President Bush urging he appoint a Special Envoy to Sudan charged to proactively work with all parties to fully implement the DPA and secure the deployment of a U.N. peacekeeping force capable of adequately providing security for the region. That same day, the U.N. Security Council approved a resolution authorizing the deployment of a large U.N. peacekeeping force with a mandate authorizing the use of force to protect civilians, relief workers and U.N. workers. Regrettably, the Government of Sudan has refused to accept a U.N. deployment, and is pressuring A.U. force to leave the region.



On September 5, 2006, I spoke on the Senate floor to again call for the appointment of a Special Envoy and to urge the government of Sudan to accept the deployment of a U.N. peacekeeping force. On September 7, 2006 I became an original cosponsor of S.Res. 599, which calls on the President to appoint a Special Envoy and enlist the support of China, Russia, and the Arab League in applying pressure on the government of Sudan to halt the violence and permit the deployment of a U.N. force. The resolution also urges the Government of Sudan to cease its military offensive in Darfur and allow the deployment of a U.N. force. On September 11, 2006, I joined twenty-six of my Senate colleagues in writing to President Bush to urge: rejection of the Government of Sudan's demand that A.U. forces leave Darfur; continued insistence that only a U.N. peacekeeping force can restore security in Darfur; the imposition of sanctions against those responsible for atrocities in the region; the establishment of a no-fly zone to prevent offensive military flights over Darfur; increased pressure on China, Russia, and the Arab League to use their influence to persuade the Government of Sudan to accept the deployment of a U.N. peacekeeping force; that an assessment of the funding needed for continued operations by A.U. forces and transition to a U.N. peacekeeping force be communicated to Congress; and the appointment of a Special Envoy.



On September 21, 2006, I became a cosponsor of the Darfur peace and Accountability Act of 2006 (S.3884) which amongst other things provides for: clear authority to provide the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) with all appropriate and necessary assistance; targeted sanctions on individuals determined by the President to be "complicit in, or responsible for, acts of genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity in Darfur"; and a Sense of Congress that the international community should immediately act to mobilize forces and resources for the deployment of a U.N. peacekeeping force. President Bush signed a version of this bill into law on October 13, 2006. On October 6, 2006, I joined many of my Senate colleagues in writing to Amr Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, requesting he employ all diplomatic means to urge President El-Bashir to halt Sudan 's military offensive in Darfur , withdraw Sudanese troops from the area, and facilitate the deployment of UN peacekeepers to the region.

On October 27, 2006 I met in New York with Sudan 's Ambassador to the United Nations. During this meeting I stressed the necessity of Sudan 's immediate acceptance of a U.N. peacekeeping force.



I have consistently supported measures to help bring an end to the crisis. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee I have helped ensure that the U.S. has been the largest international donor to Sudan . Since 2005, the U.S. has provided more than $300 million in non-food assistance to Darfur and $1.3 billion in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance country-wide. In addition, since 2004 the U.S. has contributed $240 million to the A.U. peacekeeping force in Darfur . On March 3, 2005, I joined some of my Senate colleagues in writing to Secretary Rice, to urge the development of a strategy to facilitate an end to the violence in Darfur . On April 11, 2005 I became a cosponsor of the Darfur Accountability Act (S.495). If enacted, this bill will provide support for A.U. peace keeping forces, call for a military no-fly zone over Darfur , extend the arms embargo to cover the Government of Sudan, and authorize the freezing of assets and denial of visas to those individuals responsible for genocide and crimes against humanity.



The crisis in Darfur is of great concern to me. I will continue to support all efforts which I believe can bring relief to the long suffering people of that region.



Thank you again for writing. The concerns of my constituents are of great importance to me, and I rely on you and other Pennsylvanians to inform me of your views. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office or visit my website at http://specter.senate.gov.





Sincerely,





Arlen Specter