ME AND OPHELIA
Saturday, July 31, 2004
THE WORLD'S GREATEST HUMANITARIAN DISASTER
Lies squarely on the government of Sudan
Yesterday, a newly passed UN resolution says Khartoum must halt atrocities by Arab militias in the western Darfur region within 30 days. Here are excerpts from a BBC report:
"The government of Sudan has left us no choice. It has done the unthinkable, it has fostered an armed attack on its own civilian population, it has created a humanitarian disaster," US Ambassador John Danforth told the Council after the vote. "The responsibility for this disaster lies squarely on the government of Sudan," he said.
The resolution calls on Sudan to make good on promises it made on 3 July to rein in the fighters.
It calls for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to issue a report in 30 days on the progress made in each of those areas.
The US removed any specific reference to sanctions in the resolution after objections from seven members - including China, Russia and Pakistan - who believe Khartoum needs more time to act.
Sudan's reaction to the new UN resolution was to reject it.
Diplomats say it is not up to Sudan to accept or reject the resolution.
Update from BBC:
Sudan's UN ambassador Elfatih Erwa, and its ambassador to the African Union, Osman al-Said, separately said Khartoum would comply. "We are not happy with the resolution, but we are going to implement it - we have no other option," Mr al-Said told reporters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell said during a visit to the Middle East: "They [The Sudan government] can say whatever they wish to say. The Security Council has spoken (and) in a rather strong vote."
- - -
SUDAN'S INFORMATION MINISTER
Says Khartoum are capable of "disarming all the looting and robbing gangs"
Today, Sudan's Information Minister Malik says Khartoum is capable of "disarming all the looting and robbing gangs". Well if that's true, how come they haven't already done so? They've had enough years.
Here are more gems from Mr Malik today:
- the resolution "does not conform with the agreements between the government and the United Nations"
- the resolution "focused on Arab militias more than humanitarian issues in Darfur"
- "It pains Sudan to have to express its rejection of the Security Council resolution"
- - -
THE LONG PATH TO RELIEF
U.S. food takes 3 months to get to Chad
Above is a map of the long path to relief. After a month-long trip down the Mississippi River and across the Atlantic, U.S. food arrives on the coast of Cameroon.
From there it's 10 to 15 days to get it to Chad and at least a week until it makes it to the camps.
With delays, the entire trip can take 3 months.
See report of the fight against truck-eating rivers.
- - -
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME
Airdrops food for 85,000 people isolated in Darfur
Good news from the BBC today: the World Food Programme (WFP) said it will begin a series of airdrops targeting 85,000 people in isolated regions of West Darfur in 3 days.
About time too. It's not like WFP is short of money. Financial contributions to WFP in 2004 - as at 12 July 2004 - amounts to a grand total of:
U.S. dollars 856,382,319.
The conflict started 17 months ago. Enough food could have been delivered for victims months ago - by land or air. If security was such a problem, WFP and other aid agencies ought to have pushed harder for political action months ago - or gone to the media with their story.
Note, I've not yet seen word of thanks from the government of Sudan.
- - -
200 FRENCH TROOPS IN CHAD
To secure Chad's eastern frontier with Darfur
It comes as a surprise to read news today that French soldiers stationed in Chad began airlifting aid to the town of Abeche near the border of Chad and Darfur: yesterday. Perhaps it's connected with the WFP deliveries (see next post above).
The military operation began when a Hercules C-130 flew 12 tonnes of supplies to Abeche, destined for people in nine refugee camps, according to Colonel Charles. He said the action was "in the framework of strengthening logistical aid to UN agencies".
Tomorrow, 200 French soldiers are going to Chad's eastern frontier with Darfur to deter incursions by the Janjaweed.
President Idriss Deby of Chad has accused Sudan of fomenting militia forces in his country.
Asked what French troops had been ordered to do if the Janjaweed crossed the border, the French ambassador to Chad, Jean Pierre Bercot, said: "Our capacity to react will be jointly decided with our Chadian partners. With our presence on the ground, we want to show that we will be there to attest to any incursions by the Janjaweed before the eyes of all the world."
He said French military aircraft would carry out flights "according to need" in coming days between Ndjamena and Abeche, which is about 700km east of the capital.
Note: What took the French so long? And why is the AU so slow in getting their 270 soldiers into Sudan? I am working on finding answers to these questions.
- - -
Further reading:
July 31: Costello's tears for Sudan - World Vision leader Tim Costello broke down in tears when he told reporters about the devastating humanitarian crisis and the suffering he saw in camps in war-ravaged Sudan. Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper said Mr Costello made an emotional plea for $A2 million after returning to Melbourne from a week-long visit to the African nation's refugee camps. Sky TV showed Mr Costello's voice failing as he described the stories of rape and cruelties he had heard in the refugee camps. He pleaded with Australians not to turn their heads away from the suffering. The Herald Sun newspaper quoted him as saying none of his work on the streets of Melbourne or in the slums of the Philippines and Cambodia had prepared him for the horror of the camps in the western Sudanese region of Darfur.
June 10, 2004: The EU announced it had mobilised 12 million euros from its recently established Africa Peace Facility to support African Union peace-keeping operations in Darfur, Sudan. The Peace Facility provides 250 million euros from the European Development Fund to support African led peacekeeping operations in Africa.
July 29: Head Heeb posts two plausible reasons why Egypt would court Khartoum. [via Patrick Hall]
Passion: "The closed society of Sudan breeds terrorism as well as genocide"
July 29: "Darfur crisis the result of years of US sponsored terrorism in Southern Sudan"
Passion: "Could activists fund an AU-led peacekeeping force for Darfur and Sudan?"
July 30: "Financial woes delay Darfur observer team"
July 30: "Now Darfur Threatened with Locust Plague"
Lies squarely on the government of Sudan
Yesterday, a newly passed UN resolution says Khartoum must halt atrocities by Arab militias in the western Darfur region within 30 days. Here are excerpts from a BBC report:
"The government of Sudan has left us no choice. It has done the unthinkable, it has fostered an armed attack on its own civilian population, it has created a humanitarian disaster," US Ambassador John Danforth told the Council after the vote. "The responsibility for this disaster lies squarely on the government of Sudan," he said.
The resolution calls on Sudan to make good on promises it made on 3 July to rein in the fighters.
It calls for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to issue a report in 30 days on the progress made in each of those areas.
The US removed any specific reference to sanctions in the resolution after objections from seven members - including China, Russia and Pakistan - who believe Khartoum needs more time to act.
Sudan's reaction to the new UN resolution was to reject it.
Diplomats say it is not up to Sudan to accept or reject the resolution.
Update from BBC:
Sudan's UN ambassador Elfatih Erwa, and its ambassador to the African Union, Osman al-Said, separately said Khartoum would comply. "We are not happy with the resolution, but we are going to implement it - we have no other option," Mr al-Said told reporters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell said during a visit to the Middle East: "They [The Sudan government] can say whatever they wish to say. The Security Council has spoken (and) in a rather strong vote."
- - -
SUDAN'S INFORMATION MINISTER
Says Khartoum are capable of "disarming all the looting and robbing gangs"
Today, Sudan's Information Minister Malik says Khartoum is capable of "disarming all the looting and robbing gangs". Well if that's true, how come they haven't already done so? They've had enough years.
Here are more gems from Mr Malik today:
- the resolution "does not conform with the agreements between the government and the United Nations"
- the resolution "focused on Arab militias more than humanitarian issues in Darfur"
- "It pains Sudan to have to express its rejection of the Security Council resolution"
- - -
THE LONG PATH TO RELIEF
U.S. food takes 3 months to get to Chad
Above is a map of the long path to relief. After a month-long trip down the Mississippi River and across the Atlantic, U.S. food arrives on the coast of Cameroon.
From there it's 10 to 15 days to get it to Chad and at least a week until it makes it to the camps.
With delays, the entire trip can take 3 months.
See report of the fight against truck-eating rivers.
- - -
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME
Airdrops food for 85,000 people isolated in Darfur
Good news from the BBC today: the World Food Programme (WFP) said it will begin a series of airdrops targeting 85,000 people in isolated regions of West Darfur in 3 days.
About time too. It's not like WFP is short of money. Financial contributions to WFP in 2004 - as at 12 July 2004 - amounts to a grand total of:
U.S. dollars 856,382,319.
The conflict started 17 months ago. Enough food could have been delivered for victims months ago - by land or air. If security was such a problem, WFP and other aid agencies ought to have pushed harder for political action months ago - or gone to the media with their story.
Note, I've not yet seen word of thanks from the government of Sudan.
- - -
200 FRENCH TROOPS IN CHAD
To secure Chad's eastern frontier with Darfur
It comes as a surprise to read news today that French soldiers stationed in Chad began airlifting aid to the town of Abeche near the border of Chad and Darfur: yesterday. Perhaps it's connected with the WFP deliveries (see next post above).
The military operation began when a Hercules C-130 flew 12 tonnes of supplies to Abeche, destined for people in nine refugee camps, according to Colonel Charles. He said the action was "in the framework of strengthening logistical aid to UN agencies".
Tomorrow, 200 French soldiers are going to Chad's eastern frontier with Darfur to deter incursions by the Janjaweed.
President Idriss Deby of Chad has accused Sudan of fomenting militia forces in his country.
Asked what French troops had been ordered to do if the Janjaweed crossed the border, the French ambassador to Chad, Jean Pierre Bercot, said: "Our capacity to react will be jointly decided with our Chadian partners. With our presence on the ground, we want to show that we will be there to attest to any incursions by the Janjaweed before the eyes of all the world."
He said French military aircraft would carry out flights "according to need" in coming days between Ndjamena and Abeche, which is about 700km east of the capital.
Note: What took the French so long? And why is the AU so slow in getting their 270 soldiers into Sudan? I am working on finding answers to these questions.
- - -
Further reading:
July 31: Costello's tears for Sudan - World Vision leader Tim Costello broke down in tears when he told reporters about the devastating humanitarian crisis and the suffering he saw in camps in war-ravaged Sudan. Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper said Mr Costello made an emotional plea for $A2 million after returning to Melbourne from a week-long visit to the African nation's refugee camps. Sky TV showed Mr Costello's voice failing as he described the stories of rape and cruelties he had heard in the refugee camps. He pleaded with Australians not to turn their heads away from the suffering. The Herald Sun newspaper quoted him as saying none of his work on the streets of Melbourne or in the slums of the Philippines and Cambodia had prepared him for the horror of the camps in the western Sudanese region of Darfur.
June 10, 2004: The EU announced it had mobilised 12 million euros from its recently established Africa Peace Facility to support African Union peace-keeping operations in Darfur, Sudan. The Peace Facility provides 250 million euros from the European Development Fund to support African led peacekeeping operations in Africa.
July 29: Head Heeb posts two plausible reasons why Egypt would court Khartoum. [via Patrick Hall]
Passion: "The closed society of Sudan breeds terrorism as well as genocide"
July 29: "Darfur crisis the result of years of US sponsored terrorism in Southern Sudan"
Passion: "Could activists fund an AU-led peacekeeping force for Darfur and Sudan?"
July 30: "Financial woes delay Darfur observer team"
July 30: "Now Darfur Threatened with Locust Plague"
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/31/2004
Friday, July 30, 2004
FRANCIS CRICK, DNA PIONEER, DIES
Codiscovered the double helix
Great excerpt from Nick's post at Blogborygmi:
It is a matter of some irony that two immodest researchers wrote one of the most beautiful understatements in the history of science:
"This structure has novel features of considerable biological interest... It has not escaped our attention that the specific pairing we have postulated immediately suggests a possible copying mechanism for the genetic material."
-- Watson J. D., Crick F. H. (1953) Molecular structure of nucleic acids: a structure for deoxyribose nucleic acid. Nature 171: 737-738.
Codiscovered the double helix
Great excerpt from Nick's post at Blogborygmi:
It is a matter of some irony that two immodest researchers wrote one of the most beautiful understatements in the history of science:
"This structure has novel features of considerable biological interest... It has not escaped our attention that the specific pairing we have postulated immediately suggests a possible copying mechanism for the genetic material."
-- Watson J. D., Crick F. H. (1953) Molecular structure of nucleic acids: a structure for deoxyribose nucleic acid. Nature 171: 737-738.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/30/2004
- - -
DARFUR DEATH TOLL UP TO 80,000
Sudan threatens BBC with legal action over Darfur
Over the past week or so, several reports have listed the number of deaths in Darfur as 50,000 - not 30,000.
Today, a top U.S. official was quoted as saying the number of deaths in Darfur is 80,000.
Also today, in a July 30 report the chief of Doctors Without Borders is quoted as saying that even with the new improved deliveries - only half of the basic needs for food will be met in July. He confirms the current aid effort is insufficient and that urgent action is still overdue - as it has been throughout Darfur’s man-made emergency.
- - -
Sudan Tribune report says "Sudan threatens BBC with legal action over Darfur". Heh. Sounds like GoS are getting stressed and clutching at straws trying to do spin with the media. Bet they're scratching their heads as to how come Darfur got in the world's spotlight. They may be good at controlling what type of news goes in and out of Khartoum but, going by what they are quoted as saying in news reports, they don't sound very media or net savvy. They must think we're soft - and daft.
Like most other statements of theirs, the GoS is full of bluster and bluff and, as usual, is talking a load of rubbish. Remember the funny Minister for Information in Iraq? Well his twins are in Khartoum: Foreign Minister Ismail and Interior Minister (forgotten his name) are a hoot. They're so full of barmy statements, I've started to collect their quotes for posting here at a later date.
By comparison, Colin Powell and Kofi Annan are a lot more smart - and trustworthy - so I go by what they say. The international community's strategy looks like it is working. Khartoum are definitely feeling the heat. They've even released political prisoners (an issue in the demands by the rebels). But I am still appalled at the food and aid not reaching the refugees. Some reports give the impression things are getting better, but don't you believe it - they're not. The U.N. are paid well enough to do a great job. If they claim it is the best they can do - well their best is just not good enough.
Back in April and May, I complained here about the BBC's reporting on Sudan only because their reports were too far and few between. The only inaccuracies I've noticed in their reporting I've put down to them erring on the side of caution.
For example, not long ago, the BBC were continuously quoting the number of deaths as 10,000 when in fact it was 30,000 - and more recently 50,000. (I've noticed today BBC reports "up to 50,000" - there's a huge difference between 50,000 and 80,000 lives, how come the BBC don't say 80,000?
If I have any criticisms of the BBC in its reporting of the Sudan, it would be they did not report enough news or frequently enough. But they've done great over the past month. Sudan Tribune comes up with some useful reports (it has just published the text of U.N. security council resolution on Sudan), Scotsman.com is pretty good too. But the best and most timely news on the Sudan I find, is Reuters.
Note, BBC is inviting people to join the BBC's Africa Live debate on Wednesday 4 August at 1630 & 1830 and discuss "What do you think is the way forward for Darfur? What role should the UN and the African Union play? Should the crisis be resolved through sanctions, through military intervention or through quiet diplomacy?
- - -
July 30 Reuters: "UN sets Darfur deadline" - The U.N. Security Council has voted for a U.S.-drafted resolution that threatens to impose sanctions on Sudan in 30 days if it does not disarm and prosecute marauding militia in Darfur.
The 13-0 vote, with abstentions from China and Pakistan, came after the United States deleted the word 'sanctions' and substituted a reference to a section of the U.N. Charter permitting punitive measures to gain more support.
The Article 41 provision allows the 'interruption' of economic, transport, communications or diplomatic measures, which amounts to sanctions.
The measure, co-sponsored by Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Chile and Romania, demands that Khartoum disarm and prosecute within 30 days militia known as Janjaweed or the Security Council will consider punitive measures.
But China's deputy U.N. ambassador, Zhang Yishan, said on Friday this was still too harsh and was 'not helpful in resolving the situation in Darfur and may further complicate the situation.'"
DARFUR DEATH TOLL UP TO 80,000
Sudan threatens BBC with legal action over Darfur
Over the past week or so, several reports have listed the number of deaths in Darfur as 50,000 - not 30,000.
Today, a top U.S. official was quoted as saying the number of deaths in Darfur is 80,000.
Also today, in a July 30 report the chief of Doctors Without Borders is quoted as saying that even with the new improved deliveries - only half of the basic needs for food will be met in July. He confirms the current aid effort is insufficient and that urgent action is still overdue - as it has been throughout Darfur’s man-made emergency.
- - -
Sudan Tribune report says "Sudan threatens BBC with legal action over Darfur". Heh. Sounds like GoS are getting stressed and clutching at straws trying to do spin with the media. Bet they're scratching their heads as to how come Darfur got in the world's spotlight. They may be good at controlling what type of news goes in and out of Khartoum but, going by what they are quoted as saying in news reports, they don't sound very media or net savvy. They must think we're soft - and daft.
Like most other statements of theirs, the GoS is full of bluster and bluff and, as usual, is talking a load of rubbish. Remember the funny Minister for Information in Iraq? Well his twins are in Khartoum: Foreign Minister Ismail and Interior Minister (forgotten his name) are a hoot. They're so full of barmy statements, I've started to collect their quotes for posting here at a later date.
By comparison, Colin Powell and Kofi Annan are a lot more smart - and trustworthy - so I go by what they say. The international community's strategy looks like it is working. Khartoum are definitely feeling the heat. They've even released political prisoners (an issue in the demands by the rebels). But I am still appalled at the food and aid not reaching the refugees. Some reports give the impression things are getting better, but don't you believe it - they're not. The U.N. are paid well enough to do a great job. If they claim it is the best they can do - well their best is just not good enough.
Back in April and May, I complained here about the BBC's reporting on Sudan only because their reports were too far and few between. The only inaccuracies I've noticed in their reporting I've put down to them erring on the side of caution.
For example, not long ago, the BBC were continuously quoting the number of deaths as 10,000 when in fact it was 30,000 - and more recently 50,000. (I've noticed today BBC reports "up to 50,000" - there's a huge difference between 50,000 and 80,000 lives, how come the BBC don't say 80,000?
If I have any criticisms of the BBC in its reporting of the Sudan, it would be they did not report enough news or frequently enough. But they've done great over the past month. Sudan Tribune comes up with some useful reports (it has just published the text of U.N. security council resolution on Sudan), Scotsman.com is pretty good too. But the best and most timely news on the Sudan I find, is Reuters.
Note, BBC is inviting people to join the BBC's Africa Live debate on Wednesday 4 August at 1630 & 1830 and discuss "What do you think is the way forward for Darfur? What role should the UN and the African Union play? Should the crisis be resolved through sanctions, through military intervention or through quiet diplomacy?
- - -
July 30 Reuters: "UN sets Darfur deadline" - The U.N. Security Council has voted for a U.S.-drafted resolution that threatens to impose sanctions on Sudan in 30 days if it does not disarm and prosecute marauding militia in Darfur.
The 13-0 vote, with abstentions from China and Pakistan, came after the United States deleted the word 'sanctions' and substituted a reference to a section of the U.N. Charter permitting punitive measures to gain more support.
The Article 41 provision allows the 'interruption' of economic, transport, communications or diplomatic measures, which amounts to sanctions.
The measure, co-sponsored by Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Chile and Romania, demands that Khartoum disarm and prosecute within 30 days militia known as Janjaweed or the Security Council will consider punitive measures.
But China's deputy U.N. ambassador, Zhang Yishan, said on Friday this was still too harsh and was 'not helpful in resolving the situation in Darfur and may further complicate the situation.'"
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/30/2004
Thursday, July 29, 2004
PROS GET BLOGGING
At Democratic Convention
Meet the "bloggers" accredited for a national political convention.
It's the first time that weblogs as a news medium (other than the estimated 15,000 journalists from traditional outlets) have been accredited to cover the news at the Democratic Convention in America. Bloggers being accredited means the people behind the weblogs are allowed access to the main hall and can sit at designated workspaces with their computers.
As of yesterday the total count is 119 people blogging the convention.
Jim Moore explains how it is for webloggers covering news there in Boston and describes the tension he feels when deciding what is OK - or not - to disclose on the Internet.
It's easy to imagine professional journalists from traditional news outlets not treating the blogging media as equals. They have much to take into consideration when writing a story. Bosses, sources and reputations. It's their livelihood.
Bloggers are their own bosses and free to write as they please. Interesting how we are not an unruly bunch. 99% of the bloggers I read are mindful of what they write about and the effect their words will have on others. And seem pretty open, honest and caring over the truth and crediting sources.
Having said that, Jim's post talks about secrets. *Groan* .... secrets bug me when I don't have a clue what they could be about. Like when someone says: "Oh, you'll NEVER guess what -- Oh nevermind -- it doesn't matter -- it's nothing -- I'll tell you later..." Grrrr.
Hey Jim, spill the beans: WHAT secrets?! Do tell. Or at least give us a clue ;)
Update: More neat links in Blogger's Blogging-from-Boston post.
- - -
Above post is especially for Pauly to wish him best of luck with his new political blog This Side of the Truth [Pauly: sorry I'm behind with blog reading past few weeks - routine all upside down here with carpenter, visitors and stuff - not to mention Sudan - look forward to catching up with your posts soon]
- - -
ACTIVIST GROUPS ARE DRIVING U.S. SUDAN POLICY
Public pressure drives U.S. push on Sudan crisis
It's good to see that politicians do listen. See. Our voices do count. According to a report by Reuters, Jewish, Christian and black activist groups are driving U.S. Sudan policy. The lobbying has increased this month "in leaps and bounds," Kansas Republican Sen. Sam Brownback, who visited Darfur in recent weeks, wrote in a statement to Reuters.
One voice may seem like one drop of water in a bucket - but with enough drops, a bucket can overflow and be noticeable in no time. How to stop the drips? Get another bucket. What if the drips don't let up? Sort out the problem. The drip drip effect of activists must be a nightmare for politicians. On the other hand, activists can act as a support to politicians when they need the courage to push on certain issues. In times of doubt and uncertainty, it must help politicians and make them feel they are doing a good job.
- - -
"BLOGGING FOR THE BLOG-LESS -
Speaks for the speech-less now on a global scale"
Joe Lockard's report entitled Electronic Darfur came to me via Google's email alerts. I subscribe to Google's alerts on Darfur and Sudan, which means all online reports by mainstream media (not weblogs) that contain those two words are emailed to me within an hour of being picked up by Google. It would be great to receive the same sort of service for blogs.
The report appears on a group website "Bad Subjects" where Joe is a collective editor. He lives in Arizona and teaches English at University of California. On doing a quick Google search, I was surprised to find that Joe has a blog.
I've not yet had enough time to ingest and digest Joe's report. When I glanced through it, I got the impression that Joe was not a blogger. Seemed to me that he didn't *get* blogging. I wasn't quite sure what to make of his report but I did find his subject matter refreshingly original with useful links to good information on the genocide in Darfur.
Unfortunately, before I found out Joe was indeed a blogger, I'd drafted the below post. Instead of re-writing the post, I've decided to publish it here because I'd gone to the trouble of getting all the links together and I am over tired from putting together the above posts on Sudan and having visitors here at home over the past two days.
I need to take a blogging break for the next few days and look forward to reading Joe's report in depth after I've had some serious rest. If in the meantime anyone can get the gist of what Joe is saying, I would appreciate any comments or emails. Thanks. Here is what I wrote, before I found out Joe is a blogger:
[The above half-completed post is from my drafts folder from a week or two ago - I am posting it here now, before it gets buried and forgotten. Hopefully, I'll pick up on it again at a later date. The following is part of the second half - I wrote quite a long draft so this is a reminder to get back to it again]:
When it was announced that Kofi Annan and Colin Powell were to visit Darfur, I asked myself: "Did we bloggers make a difference?" and emailed David Sifry to ask if Technorati's databases held any evidence. I got a great reply saying he has asked his people to look into it. I'm also looking in to how professional journalists track and measure their reporting. But I don't have any answers yet which is the reason for the delay in posting on the subject.
Jim Moore and Ethan Zuckerman, both out of Harvard, have been working on ways to analyse our blogging of the Sudan crisis. Jim has a great post on "activisits supported by blogs and RSS aggregators and Technorati and Feedster desperately focus on genocide in Darfur and Sudan".
Ethan says he enjoys watching how news media work in parallel on stories like Iraq or how attention slowly builds around stories like the crisis in Sudan. He explains he's already seeing some evidence that blogs are moving in lockstep with major media sources.
Ethan has graphs showing data that he's been collecting for about a year. He has a graph of "hits" that represent the number of stories matched on a given search engine for a particular keyword: "Iraq" or "Ghana". Ethan started tracking BBC figures for 14 and 90 day periods, as well as for the last three years - and has data on stories for about 14 months now, so there's quite a bit more information if anyone is interested in digging into it.
- - -
DO FLIES HAVE EYES IN THE BACK OF THEIR HEADS
How to catch a fly?
Right now there is a fly in this room. It's driving me crazy. Two hours. Buzzing around at full speed. Big black fat hairy one. Over my head. In front of my screen. So loud too. Bouncing from wall to window and back again. I just got rid of one two hours before. Don't want to open a window incase another comes in. Every time I get up to swat it, it seems to know. And speeds off at full blast out of the room and down the hallway. I go after it with a folded paper. It's so fast it goes from room to room. It's wearing me out.
Apart from bug spray, does anyone know how to keep flies away? I like to have the windows all open during the day. But during the summer, here by the seaside, some days flies are a problem. I don't want to install fly screens as they'd spoil the view. Maybe there's a herb or plant that keeps them away.
Now that I come to think of it, I am having a really bad day. Haven't been able to blog. Carpenter finished balcony. Painter arrived early this morning. He knocked on the door. We were still asleep. Next thing I knew I could hear all this commotion by the back door, like someone was breaking in. We rushed to the kitchen. It was the painter. How did he get in? The back gate was bolted top and bottom. He'd used two long ladders to get over a 12' high wall. Charming.
That's how the day started -- and the rest of the day went downhill. Fancied something sweet. Tried to bake a cake. But only had gluten free plain flour. Improvised by sifting it with baking powder. Did all the work. Used the food processer. Made a mess of dishes. 45 minutes in oven. Total and utter disaster. The whole thing turned out as a bubbling mass of liquified syrup. I've never seen anything like it. It was supposed to be German upside down cake with pineapple rings.
Ophelia seems to be having a slight problem swallowing food. I am a bit worried but wonder if I'm over fussing. Maybe she has a little sore throat. Time will tell. Right now she's curled up fast asleep on her chair. Her eyes are clear and her nose is healthy damp. And she is getting through her food OK. But not with her usual gusto. I want to wake her up and give her a kiss and a cuddle and tell her I love her. I'm glad today is nearly over.
Update: Ophelia is now rushing around chasing the fly. Heh. What would I do without her. It's gone now.
Update: it's back.
- - -
FACTS OF THE DAY
Courtesy NYT and Scotsman.com
On July 28, 1945, a US Army B-25 bomber crashed into Empire State Building in New York City, setting it ablaze and killing 13 people.
On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. World War I began as declarations of war by other European nations quickly followed.
On July 29, 1981, Britain's Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
At Democratic Convention
Meet the "bloggers" accredited for a national political convention.
It's the first time that weblogs as a news medium (other than the estimated 15,000 journalists from traditional outlets) have been accredited to cover the news at the Democratic Convention in America. Bloggers being accredited means the people behind the weblogs are allowed access to the main hall and can sit at designated workspaces with their computers.
As of yesterday the total count is 119 people blogging the convention.
Jim Moore explains how it is for webloggers covering news there in Boston and describes the tension he feels when deciding what is OK - or not - to disclose on the Internet.
It's easy to imagine professional journalists from traditional news outlets not treating the blogging media as equals. They have much to take into consideration when writing a story. Bosses, sources and reputations. It's their livelihood.
Bloggers are their own bosses and free to write as they please. Interesting how we are not an unruly bunch. 99% of the bloggers I read are mindful of what they write about and the effect their words will have on others. And seem pretty open, honest and caring over the truth and crediting sources.
Having said that, Jim's post talks about secrets. *Groan* .... secrets bug me when I don't have a clue what they could be about. Like when someone says: "Oh, you'll NEVER guess what -- Oh nevermind -- it doesn't matter -- it's nothing -- I'll tell you later..." Grrrr.
Hey Jim, spill the beans: WHAT secrets?! Do tell. Or at least give us a clue ;)
Update: More neat links in Blogger's Blogging-from-Boston post.
- - -
Above post is especially for Pauly to wish him best of luck with his new political blog This Side of the Truth [Pauly: sorry I'm behind with blog reading past few weeks - routine all upside down here with carpenter, visitors and stuff - not to mention Sudan - look forward to catching up with your posts soon]
- - -
ACTIVIST GROUPS ARE DRIVING U.S. SUDAN POLICY
Public pressure drives U.S. push on Sudan crisis
It's good to see that politicians do listen. See. Our voices do count. According to a report by Reuters, Jewish, Christian and black activist groups are driving U.S. Sudan policy. The lobbying has increased this month "in leaps and bounds," Kansas Republican Sen. Sam Brownback, who visited Darfur in recent weeks, wrote in a statement to Reuters.
One voice may seem like one drop of water in a bucket - but with enough drops, a bucket can overflow and be noticeable in no time. How to stop the drips? Get another bucket. What if the drips don't let up? Sort out the problem. The drip drip effect of activists must be a nightmare for politicians. On the other hand, activists can act as a support to politicians when they need the courage to push on certain issues. In times of doubt and uncertainty, it must help politicians and make them feel they are doing a good job.
- - -
"BLOGGING FOR THE BLOG-LESS -
Speaks for the speech-less now on a global scale"
Joe Lockard's report entitled Electronic Darfur came to me via Google's email alerts. I subscribe to Google's alerts on Darfur and Sudan, which means all online reports by mainstream media (not weblogs) that contain those two words are emailed to me within an hour of being picked up by Google. It would be great to receive the same sort of service for blogs.
The report appears on a group website "Bad Subjects" where Joe is a collective editor. He lives in Arizona and teaches English at University of California. On doing a quick Google search, I was surprised to find that Joe has a blog.
I've not yet had enough time to ingest and digest Joe's report. When I glanced through it, I got the impression that Joe was not a blogger. Seemed to me that he didn't *get* blogging. I wasn't quite sure what to make of his report but I did find his subject matter refreshingly original with useful links to good information on the genocide in Darfur.
Unfortunately, before I found out Joe was indeed a blogger, I'd drafted the below post. Instead of re-writing the post, I've decided to publish it here because I'd gone to the trouble of getting all the links together and I am over tired from putting together the above posts on Sudan and having visitors here at home over the past two days.
I need to take a blogging break for the next few days and look forward to reading Joe's report in depth after I've had some serious rest. If in the meantime anyone can get the gist of what Joe is saying, I would appreciate any comments or emails. Thanks. Here is what I wrote, before I found out Joe is a blogger:
[The above half-completed post is from my drafts folder from a week or two ago - I am posting it here now, before it gets buried and forgotten. Hopefully, I'll pick up on it again at a later date. The following is part of the second half - I wrote quite a long draft so this is a reminder to get back to it again]:
When it was announced that Kofi Annan and Colin Powell were to visit Darfur, I asked myself: "Did we bloggers make a difference?" and emailed David Sifry to ask if Technorati's databases held any evidence. I got a great reply saying he has asked his people to look into it. I'm also looking in to how professional journalists track and measure their reporting. But I don't have any answers yet which is the reason for the delay in posting on the subject.
Jim Moore and Ethan Zuckerman, both out of Harvard, have been working on ways to analyse our blogging of the Sudan crisis. Jim has a great post on "activisits supported by blogs and RSS aggregators and Technorati and Feedster desperately focus on genocide in Darfur and Sudan".
Ethan says he enjoys watching how news media work in parallel on stories like Iraq or how attention slowly builds around stories like the crisis in Sudan. He explains he's already seeing some evidence that blogs are moving in lockstep with major media sources.
Ethan has graphs showing data that he's been collecting for about a year. He has a graph of "hits" that represent the number of stories matched on a given search engine for a particular keyword: "Iraq" or "Ghana". Ethan started tracking BBC figures for 14 and 90 day periods, as well as for the last three years - and has data on stories for about 14 months now, so there's quite a bit more information if anyone is interested in digging into it.
- - -
DO FLIES HAVE EYES IN THE BACK OF THEIR HEADS
How to catch a fly?
Right now there is a fly in this room. It's driving me crazy. Two hours. Buzzing around at full speed. Big black fat hairy one. Over my head. In front of my screen. So loud too. Bouncing from wall to window and back again. I just got rid of one two hours before. Don't want to open a window incase another comes in. Every time I get up to swat it, it seems to know. And speeds off at full blast out of the room and down the hallway. I go after it with a folded paper. It's so fast it goes from room to room. It's wearing me out.
Apart from bug spray, does anyone know how to keep flies away? I like to have the windows all open during the day. But during the summer, here by the seaside, some days flies are a problem. I don't want to install fly screens as they'd spoil the view. Maybe there's a herb or plant that keeps them away.
Now that I come to think of it, I am having a really bad day. Haven't been able to blog. Carpenter finished balcony. Painter arrived early this morning. He knocked on the door. We were still asleep. Next thing I knew I could hear all this commotion by the back door, like someone was breaking in. We rushed to the kitchen. It was the painter. How did he get in? The back gate was bolted top and bottom. He'd used two long ladders to get over a 12' high wall. Charming.
That's how the day started -- and the rest of the day went downhill. Fancied something sweet. Tried to bake a cake. But only had gluten free plain flour. Improvised by sifting it with baking powder. Did all the work. Used the food processer. Made a mess of dishes. 45 minutes in oven. Total and utter disaster. The whole thing turned out as a bubbling mass of liquified syrup. I've never seen anything like it. It was supposed to be German upside down cake with pineapple rings.
Ophelia seems to be having a slight problem swallowing food. I am a bit worried but wonder if I'm over fussing. Maybe she has a little sore throat. Time will tell. Right now she's curled up fast asleep on her chair. Her eyes are clear and her nose is healthy damp. And she is getting through her food OK. But not with her usual gusto. I want to wake her up and give her a kiss and a cuddle and tell her I love her. I'm glad today is nearly over.
Update: Ophelia is now rushing around chasing the fly. Heh. What would I do without her. It's gone now.
Update: it's back.
- - -
FACTS OF THE DAY
Courtesy NYT and Scotsman.com
On July 28, 1945, a US Army B-25 bomber crashed into Empire State Building in New York City, setting it ablaze and killing 13 people.
On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. World War I began as declarations of war by other European nations quickly followed.
On July 29, 1981, Britain's Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/29/2004
- - -
DARFUR VISITOR ASKS:
Is this planet earth?
World Vision Australia chief executive Reverend Tim Costello had just visited the Kalma camp in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region, where 70,000 Sudanese refugees huddled under humpies of wood and plastic, their only respite from the pitiless African sun. "Nothing prepares you for the incredible heat," Mr Costello said by telephone last night immediately after his visit.
"It was the rawest expression of humanity I've ever seen. You ask yourself, is this planet earth?"
"The camp stretches for five kilometres and it's utterly exposed. As far as the eye can see there are people under small humpies with five or six people crowded underneath -- it's absolutely mind-blowing."
He said the Sudan crisis, which has been described as like Rwanda in slow motion, was hanging by a thread and the lives of more than a million people were at stake.
"It is without a doubt the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today," he said. "But it's not hopeless and a holocaust can be prevented.
- - -
U.K. GATHERING EVIDENCE OF GENOCIDE
African Union preparing plans to send a force to Darfur
Yesterday's Guardian report "Sudan to face 'genocide' inquiry" says the US and British governments are gathering evidence to determine whether genocide is being committed in the Darfur. The report states the Foreign Office said that it would not shy away from uncomfortable conclusions, even though a declaration of genocide would invoke a legal obligation to intervene.
Today's Telegraph reports on the UN security council preparing to vote on a resolution warning Sudan to protect civilians or face sanctions in 30 days and in the meantime putting a weapons embargo on armed groups in Darfur.
Seven of the Council's 15 members are putting pressure on America to soften the threat of imposing sanctions. Four are: Russia, China, Algeria and Pakistan. Who are the other three are that are still putting self interest before the lives of people? Seems they are the countries with the most interest in Sudan's oil and arms but with the least concern over human rights abuses. How much, if anything, are those seven countries contributing to the humanitarian assistance, does anyone know?
Sudan's foreign minister, said Sudan would retaliate if troops were sent in. If GoS are confident their troops will obey orders to fight those sent in to provide a safe corridor for aid, how come Sudanese troops are not obeying their government's orders to fight and disarm their Arab militias? They've had enough years.
The Africa Union has a small force of 300 soldiers preparing to leave for Sudan to protect its military observers re the south Sudan conflict. Today it announced it is preparing plans to send a peacekeeping force to Darfur, which is in the western region of Sudan (a separate conflict).
- - -
Meanwhile, in Darfur, Sudan ...
IT'S NOT JIHAD
It's genocide
The Death Dealers.
July 29: Amnesty International USA just passed a resolution declaring the situation in Sudan a genocide. This resolution has been officially sent to the Amnesty International International Secretariat in London, which will make a final determination on behalf of Amnesty International groups worldwide.
- - -
U.K. STRATEGY UNDERWAY
A multi-part plan and joint civilian-military team
According to a BBC report, there are precedents for using troops not to attack a central government but to provide security for refugees. After the Gulf War in 1991 the US, Britain and others set up safe areas for the Kurdish refugees from Iraq who flooded over the mountains into Turkey.
The report says the serious international concern about Darfur might lead to a limited form of military intervention, but such action is likely to be aimed mainly at securing aid. And that a strategy of pressure on the government of Sudan is being tried first.
The British government's strategy is one of getting aid to the distressed and dying and of putting pressure on the Sudan government by threatening sanctions. Planning is already under way. Britain is thinking about a joint civilian-military team, according to Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who is going to Sudan at the end of next month.
British Development Minister Hilary Benn, who has played a leading role for the British government over Sudan has outlined a multi-part plan - get money for aid, provide that aid, ensure security for it, pressure the Sudanese government to provide safety for the people and finally get a political settlement of the underlying rebellion.
"If the situation does not improve very soon, " says Mr Benn, " the UN Security Council should adopt the draft US-sponsored resolution, which the UK strongly supports, to make it absolutely clear that further action will follow."
In other developments:
The European Union as a whole has now added its voice to the above warnings. The government in Sudan is in no doubt about world opinion.
▪ UN secretary-general Kofi Annan is pressing governments for more aid for Darfur, as the Security Council considers threatening the Sudanese Government with sanctions over its role in the humanitarian crisis in the region.
[Full Story]
▪ A report by African observers in the Sudanese region of Darfur says civilians were chained and burned alive during an attack by Arab Janjaweed militia earlier this month.
[Full Story]
▪ The United States has presented a new version of its draft resolution on Sudan to the United Nations Security Council and is hoping for a vote by the end of the week.
[Full Story] Update: U.S. cuts 'sanctions' in Sudan text.
▪ July 29: Hassan al-Turabi 'to be released'
- - -
Powell to rally Egypt over Darfur during Cairo talks
Last week Egypt appeared to side with Sudan. Yesterday, US Secretary of State Colin Powell was in Cairo meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to seek support for tough measures to resolve the Darfur crisis.
I recall reading something about Sudan being accused (years ago) of trying to assassinate President Mubarak. Note this excerpt from arab.de report on Sudan and relations with Egypt, Libya, Iran and USA:
"In January 1995 Egypt rejected a request by Sudan to refer the dispute over the Halaib border area to a meeting of the OAU´s council of Ministers of Foreign affairs in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
On 26 June relations suffered a further, serious setback after the attempted assassination of President Mubarak of Egypt on his arrival in Addis Ababa to attend the annual conference of the OAU there. The Egyptian Government immediately accused Sudan of complicity in the attack, and the OAU made the same allegation in September.
There was evidence of increasing economic and military links between Sudan and Iran in 1991. Some 2,000 Iranian Revolutionary Guards were allegedly dispatched to Sudan to assist with the training of the Sudanese army, and in December President Rafsanjani of Iran made an official visit to Sudan, during which a trade agreement between the two countries was concluded.
In November 1993 Iran was reported to have financed Sudan´s purchase of some 20 Chinese ground-attack aircraft. In April 1996 the Government was reported to be granting the Iranian navy the use of marine facilities in exchange for financial assistance for the purchase of arms although, in response to a Sudanese request for military aid in 1997, Iran provided assistance only with military maintenance. "
- - -
Kenyan press attacks Sudan over Darfur
Another excellent round-up yesterday from BBC Monitoring based in Caversham in southern England (it selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages - and is also where top British blogger Scaryduck works):
Several newspapers in Kenya have launched scathing attacks on the Sudanese government over the conflict in the troubled western region of Darfur. One influential daily called the Sudanese government "racist... and undemocratic". This hardening of language comes as Kenya plays host to long-running peace talks between the Sudanese government and the southern SPLA rebels, which are now being overshadowed by the Darfur crisis. Excerpts:
- - -
THE EAST AFRICAN STANDARD
Says what is required in Sudan is either regime change ... or partition
A commentary in The East African Standard described what is happening in Darfur as a "pogrom" committed by "the racist, fundamentalist and undemocratic Sudanese state". "What is required for peace in Sudan is either regime change... or partition"
"The Darfur pogrom is part of a historic continuum in which successive Arab governments have sought to entirely destroy black Africans in this bi-racial nation," the paper said. "What is required for peace in Sudan is either regime change... or partition."
The paper urged the African Union and the Arab League to stop their "hypocrisy" and to take more robust steps to end Khartoum's "genocidal policy" in Darfur. "The Janjaweed are President Al-Bashir's creation... It is stupid for a government to let thugs loose ".
- - -
KENYAN DAILY PAPER 'THE PEOPLE'
Calls Janjaweed 'thugs'
Kenyan daily The People called for an investigation into charges of ethnic cleansing in Darfur. "There is... a need for an international commission of inquiry... to examine evidence of war crimes, crimes against humanity... as well as allegations of genocide."
- - -
KENYA'S MOST POPULAR PAPER 'DAILY NATION
Says Janjaweed are President Bashir's creation
A commenter in Kenya's most popular paper, the Daily Nation, accused Sudanese President Bashir of creating the Arab militia group, the Janjaweed, to carry out the alleged ethnic cleansing campaign. "The Janjaweed are President Al-Bashir's creation," it argued. "It is stupid for a government to let thugs loose."
- - -
SUDAN WANTS TURKEY TO MEDIATE
And help fix Sudan relations with the U.S.
July 28: GoS wants Turkey to help fix Sudan relations with the U.S. Turkey, Iran and Yemen sent a letter to the U.N. not to apply sanctions to Sudan. I couldn't recall anything on Sudan and Iran so googled for some background (see next post below re Egypt).
Sudan asking Turkey for mediation? A week or two ago they were asking Libya to sponsor "talks". Who knows if the U.S. is even speaking to Khartoum any more. Seems to me it's said all its got to say to Khartoum. The world needs to see GoS deeds and actions - not more words.
A few weeks ago I'd read that Yemen had offered the U.S. some troops for Iraq - and if needed some could be used for Sudan. All I know about Iran is that it was invaded and attacked by its neighbour Iraq - seemingly out of the blue for no good reason. Iraq lost, which is why - as part of the agreement of Iraq's surrender - the U.N. inspectors had to spend so many years in Iraq to ensure it was not stockpiling weapons to attack with again.
Note, a curious statement in a Turkish report: "Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail held high-level talks with Turkish officials in Ankara at the beginning of this week, seeking assurances that Turkey has no hand in the ongoing violence."
Update July 30: BBC report Sudan hails 'softer' Darfur draft: "Seven Security Council members - Pakistan, China, Russia, Algeria, Angola, the Philippines and Brazil - had pushed for the reference to sanctions to be removed because they believe Khartoum needs more time to act."
DARFUR VISITOR ASKS:
Is this planet earth?
World Vision Australia chief executive Reverend Tim Costello had just visited the Kalma camp in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region, where 70,000 Sudanese refugees huddled under humpies of wood and plastic, their only respite from the pitiless African sun. "Nothing prepares you for the incredible heat," Mr Costello said by telephone last night immediately after his visit.
"It was the rawest expression of humanity I've ever seen. You ask yourself, is this planet earth?"
"The camp stretches for five kilometres and it's utterly exposed. As far as the eye can see there are people under small humpies with five or six people crowded underneath -- it's absolutely mind-blowing."
He said the Sudan crisis, which has been described as like Rwanda in slow motion, was hanging by a thread and the lives of more than a million people were at stake.
"It is without a doubt the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today," he said. "But it's not hopeless and a holocaust can be prevented.
- - -
U.K. GATHERING EVIDENCE OF GENOCIDE
African Union preparing plans to send a force to Darfur
Yesterday's Guardian report "Sudan to face 'genocide' inquiry" says the US and British governments are gathering evidence to determine whether genocide is being committed in the Darfur. The report states the Foreign Office said that it would not shy away from uncomfortable conclusions, even though a declaration of genocide would invoke a legal obligation to intervene.
Today's Telegraph reports on the UN security council preparing to vote on a resolution warning Sudan to protect civilians or face sanctions in 30 days and in the meantime putting a weapons embargo on armed groups in Darfur.
Seven of the Council's 15 members are putting pressure on America to soften the threat of imposing sanctions. Four are: Russia, China, Algeria and Pakistan. Who are the other three are that are still putting self interest before the lives of people? Seems they are the countries with the most interest in Sudan's oil and arms but with the least concern over human rights abuses. How much, if anything, are those seven countries contributing to the humanitarian assistance, does anyone know?
Sudan's foreign minister, said Sudan would retaliate if troops were sent in. If GoS are confident their troops will obey orders to fight those sent in to provide a safe corridor for aid, how come Sudanese troops are not obeying their government's orders to fight and disarm their Arab militias? They've had enough years.
The Africa Union has a small force of 300 soldiers preparing to leave for Sudan to protect its military observers re the south Sudan conflict. Today it announced it is preparing plans to send a peacekeeping force to Darfur, which is in the western region of Sudan (a separate conflict).
- - -
Meanwhile, in Darfur, Sudan ...
IT'S NOT JIHAD
It's genocide
The Death Dealers.
July 29: Amnesty International USA just passed a resolution declaring the situation in Sudan a genocide. This resolution has been officially sent to the Amnesty International International Secretariat in London, which will make a final determination on behalf of Amnesty International groups worldwide.
- - -
U.K. STRATEGY UNDERWAY
A multi-part plan and joint civilian-military team
According to a BBC report, there are precedents for using troops not to attack a central government but to provide security for refugees. After the Gulf War in 1991 the US, Britain and others set up safe areas for the Kurdish refugees from Iraq who flooded over the mountains into Turkey.
The report says the serious international concern about Darfur might lead to a limited form of military intervention, but such action is likely to be aimed mainly at securing aid. And that a strategy of pressure on the government of Sudan is being tried first.
The British government's strategy is one of getting aid to the distressed and dying and of putting pressure on the Sudan government by threatening sanctions. Planning is already under way. Britain is thinking about a joint civilian-military team, according to Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who is going to Sudan at the end of next month.
British Development Minister Hilary Benn, who has played a leading role for the British government over Sudan has outlined a multi-part plan - get money for aid, provide that aid, ensure security for it, pressure the Sudanese government to provide safety for the people and finally get a political settlement of the underlying rebellion.
"If the situation does not improve very soon, " says Mr Benn, " the UN Security Council should adopt the draft US-sponsored resolution, which the UK strongly supports, to make it absolutely clear that further action will follow."
In other developments:
The European Union as a whole has now added its voice to the above warnings. The government in Sudan is in no doubt about world opinion.
▪ UN secretary-general Kofi Annan is pressing governments for more aid for Darfur, as the Security Council considers threatening the Sudanese Government with sanctions over its role in the humanitarian crisis in the region.
[Full Story]
▪ A report by African observers in the Sudanese region of Darfur says civilians were chained and burned alive during an attack by Arab Janjaweed militia earlier this month.
[Full Story]
▪ The United States has presented a new version of its draft resolution on Sudan to the United Nations Security Council and is hoping for a vote by the end of the week.
[Full Story] Update: U.S. cuts 'sanctions' in Sudan text.
▪ July 29: Hassan al-Turabi 'to be released'
- - -
Powell to rally Egypt over Darfur during Cairo talks
Last week Egypt appeared to side with Sudan. Yesterday, US Secretary of State Colin Powell was in Cairo meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to seek support for tough measures to resolve the Darfur crisis.
I recall reading something about Sudan being accused (years ago) of trying to assassinate President Mubarak. Note this excerpt from arab.de report on Sudan and relations with Egypt, Libya, Iran and USA:
"In January 1995 Egypt rejected a request by Sudan to refer the dispute over the Halaib border area to a meeting of the OAU´s council of Ministers of Foreign affairs in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
On 26 June relations suffered a further, serious setback after the attempted assassination of President Mubarak of Egypt on his arrival in Addis Ababa to attend the annual conference of the OAU there. The Egyptian Government immediately accused Sudan of complicity in the attack, and the OAU made the same allegation in September.
There was evidence of increasing economic and military links between Sudan and Iran in 1991. Some 2,000 Iranian Revolutionary Guards were allegedly dispatched to Sudan to assist with the training of the Sudanese army, and in December President Rafsanjani of Iran made an official visit to Sudan, during which a trade agreement between the two countries was concluded.
In November 1993 Iran was reported to have financed Sudan´s purchase of some 20 Chinese ground-attack aircraft. In April 1996 the Government was reported to be granting the Iranian navy the use of marine facilities in exchange for financial assistance for the purchase of arms although, in response to a Sudanese request for military aid in 1997, Iran provided assistance only with military maintenance. "
- - -
Kenyan press attacks Sudan over Darfur
Another excellent round-up yesterday from BBC Monitoring based in Caversham in southern England (it selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages - and is also where top British blogger Scaryduck works):
Several newspapers in Kenya have launched scathing attacks on the Sudanese government over the conflict in the troubled western region of Darfur. One influential daily called the Sudanese government "racist... and undemocratic". This hardening of language comes as Kenya plays host to long-running peace talks between the Sudanese government and the southern SPLA rebels, which are now being overshadowed by the Darfur crisis. Excerpts:
- - -
THE EAST AFRICAN STANDARD
Says what is required in Sudan is either regime change ... or partition
A commentary in The East African Standard described what is happening in Darfur as a "pogrom" committed by "the racist, fundamentalist and undemocratic Sudanese state". "What is required for peace in Sudan is either regime change... or partition"
"The Darfur pogrom is part of a historic continuum in which successive Arab governments have sought to entirely destroy black Africans in this bi-racial nation," the paper said. "What is required for peace in Sudan is either regime change... or partition."
The paper urged the African Union and the Arab League to stop their "hypocrisy" and to take more robust steps to end Khartoum's "genocidal policy" in Darfur. "The Janjaweed are President Al-Bashir's creation... It is stupid for a government to let thugs loose ".
- - -
KENYAN DAILY PAPER 'THE PEOPLE'
Calls Janjaweed 'thugs'
Kenyan daily The People called for an investigation into charges of ethnic cleansing in Darfur. "There is... a need for an international commission of inquiry... to examine evidence of war crimes, crimes against humanity... as well as allegations of genocide."
- - -
KENYA'S MOST POPULAR PAPER 'DAILY NATION
Says Janjaweed are President Bashir's creation
A commenter in Kenya's most popular paper, the Daily Nation, accused Sudanese President Bashir of creating the Arab militia group, the Janjaweed, to carry out the alleged ethnic cleansing campaign. "The Janjaweed are President Al-Bashir's creation," it argued. "It is stupid for a government to let thugs loose."
- - -
SUDAN WANTS TURKEY TO MEDIATE
And help fix Sudan relations with the U.S.
July 28: GoS wants Turkey to help fix Sudan relations with the U.S. Turkey, Iran and Yemen sent a letter to the U.N. not to apply sanctions to Sudan. I couldn't recall anything on Sudan and Iran so googled for some background (see next post below re Egypt).
Sudan asking Turkey for mediation? A week or two ago they were asking Libya to sponsor "talks". Who knows if the U.S. is even speaking to Khartoum any more. Seems to me it's said all its got to say to Khartoum. The world needs to see GoS deeds and actions - not more words.
A few weeks ago I'd read that Yemen had offered the U.S. some troops for Iraq - and if needed some could be used for Sudan. All I know about Iran is that it was invaded and attacked by its neighbour Iraq - seemingly out of the blue for no good reason. Iraq lost, which is why - as part of the agreement of Iraq's surrender - the U.N. inspectors had to spend so many years in Iraq to ensure it was not stockpiling weapons to attack with again.
Note, a curious statement in a Turkish report: "Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail held high-level talks with Turkish officials in Ankara at the beginning of this week, seeking assurances that Turkey has no hand in the ongoing violence."
Update July 30: BBC report Sudan hails 'softer' Darfur draft: "Seven Security Council members - Pakistan, China, Russia, Algeria, Angola, the Philippines and Brazil - had pushed for the reference to sanctions to be removed because they believe Khartoum needs more time to act."
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/29/2004
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
MY NEW BLOG - A BREATH OF HOPE
Dedicated to the late Karen Southwick
Jim Moore never ceases to amaze me. Talk about serendipity. Hey Jim, guess what I found today, just after I started a new blog!? Bear with me on this post. I am still over tired and have to bash this out without thinking much or editing - it started out as an email to Jim but since I can't manage it, and publish here, I've turned the email into a post. I've been doing a lot of different things on the computer today, including leaving comments over at Robert's blog - and John's too in Australia where there is a bit of a discussion going on. (Check it out - and feel free to chip in a view - John's post is the first of its kind I've seen on the Sudan - and raises some interesting points).
Yesterday, I'd read Jim's sad post about the death of his close friend Karen Southwick. And I followed Jim's link to Karen's extraordinary last essay entitled "A Breath of Hope". Sorry I can't go into here why it is so beautiful. There is too much to say on it. Parts of it are timeless. A classic. And very original. (Here's pinging a message to say hi to Cass Brown who I know will be most interested in the essay).
It's been three months since my post put the spotlight on the UN, EU and aid agencies. My previous post (see below) says the aid agencies are now only meeting 40% of critical needs in Darfur. Of course I am aware of the difficulties and security issues etc. But even the UN aid agencies admitted three months ago they were too slow.
Now that the media are reporting on Sudan in earnest, the number of email alerts flying into my email inbox has quadrupled over the past week. Posts on aid agencies are piling up in my drafts folder and so I've come to realise I definitely need a place - a special category for them. This blog has no categories so I've decided to experiment with maintaining another blog. It's an idea I've wrestled with for the past 3 months and fear it may be too taxing and will halve my energy for each blog. One blog is more than enough for me to handle.
But because of all what's happening in the Sudan, I had a feeling I might need a second blog by Aug 1 anyway. So, today I took the plunge and made a start. And had to come up with a title. What immediately sprang to mind was the title of Karen's essay: "A Breath of Hope".
And so I've used the title and dedicated the blog to Jim's friend, Karen Southwick. I thought it was apt because humans suffer illnesses whether in USA, UK or Africa. And I wouldn't be doing any of this on the Sudan and aid agencies if it weren't for Jim. I picked up on genocide in Darfur at Jim's blog on April 24 at a time when reports on the Sudan were hard to find.
Here in England being chronically long term ill is a bureacratic nightmare. But for a refugee falling ill in the heat of Africa must be horrendous. The word "hope" in the title of my blog will be: that the whole multi billion dollar business of humanitarian aid - food, water, shelter and medical care - will get attention, shaken up and sorted. Refugees in Africa also contract cancer - so I hope Karen would not mind a stranger dedicating a blog to her last essay. Who knows, one day extracts from the essay could be translated into Arabic and Swahili and other languages.
A Breath of Hope only took two minutes to set up, but two hours to fiddle around getting used to it. Can't figure how to use sidebar properly. Sorry it's a bit scrappy and needs tidying. Right now the way I see the blog working is that it will act as a collection of news reports etc., to see at a glance, why the humanitarian aid business needs attention and sorting.
My previous post, here below, is a good example - along with yesterday's report quoting the head of Medecins Sans Frontieres as saying: "The scale of response is still not adequate ... there is still a massive need to help these people and it hasn't materialised yet - water was in critically short supply and food was equally scarce - "Malnutrition rates are high and they are going to get higher," he added.
So, I tested my new blog with a few posts and links. And visited Jim's blog to capture his link to Karen's essay (I can't direct link to pdf files). But the Harvard server was down. I was stuck. My new blog was sort of half alive with half a post published and dangling in the blogosphere.
So I went back into my copy of the pdf file to find a way to link it. And noticed a link at the top of Karen's essay - clicked into it - and what did I find?? The view of a person blog. I hadn't seen it before but knew right away Jim had something to do with it. Don't ask me how I know. I don't even know myself.
And then I read the post. Who else is in west Boston, in front of a Mac, blogging so thoughtfully?? It had to be Jim of course!! Hey what a surprise. Neat blog too.
But how sad too. Note the first entry was on July 17. My guess is that Jim's co-author was to be Karen - who died on, or shortly before, July 26, the date of Jim's post. Although the blog linked to me, I had no idea because it's not shown up in Technorati as linking to me (Technorati seems to be getting worse, not better).
So, that's what I mean about serendipity. Within a few thoughts, ideas and a few keystrokes I found - among the trillions of messages zipping around the net - stuff that spoke directly to me, simply because Jim cared to put a link to the new blog in Karen's essay. Who's a clever pussycat eh? Jim, that's who! How amazing the blogsphere is. Love from Ingrid and Ophelia xx Sorry Jim must be feeling so sad.
God bless and RIP Karen Southwick + + +
- - -
Q&A:
Sudan President Omar al-Bashir
July 26: Q&A interview with Sudan President Omar al-Bashir.
- - -
Arab press sharpens tone on Darfur
July 27: Another great news round up from BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages:
Several Arab newspapers have been unusually critical of the Sudanese government in commentaries on the continuing crisis in Darfur in western Sudan.
One daily takes the Khartoum government to task for its "constant stubbornness", another says Darfur has become a "brand of shame" on Sudan.
There is also a complaint that the international community wants to act quickly in Sudan, but is still dragging its feet in the Middle East.
Dedicated to the late Karen Southwick
Jim Moore never ceases to amaze me. Talk about serendipity. Hey Jim, guess what I found today, just after I started a new blog!? Bear with me on this post. I am still over tired and have to bash this out without thinking much or editing - it started out as an email to Jim but since I can't manage it, and publish here, I've turned the email into a post. I've been doing a lot of different things on the computer today, including leaving comments over at Robert's blog - and John's too in Australia where there is a bit of a discussion going on. (Check it out - and feel free to chip in a view - John's post is the first of its kind I've seen on the Sudan - and raises some interesting points).
Yesterday, I'd read Jim's sad post about the death of his close friend Karen Southwick. And I followed Jim's link to Karen's extraordinary last essay entitled "A Breath of Hope". Sorry I can't go into here why it is so beautiful. There is too much to say on it. Parts of it are timeless. A classic. And very original. (Here's pinging a message to say hi to Cass Brown who I know will be most interested in the essay).
It's been three months since my post put the spotlight on the UN, EU and aid agencies. My previous post (see below) says the aid agencies are now only meeting 40% of critical needs in Darfur. Of course I am aware of the difficulties and security issues etc. But even the UN aid agencies admitted three months ago they were too slow.
Now that the media are reporting on Sudan in earnest, the number of email alerts flying into my email inbox has quadrupled over the past week. Posts on aid agencies are piling up in my drafts folder and so I've come to realise I definitely need a place - a special category for them. This blog has no categories so I've decided to experiment with maintaining another blog. It's an idea I've wrestled with for the past 3 months and fear it may be too taxing and will halve my energy for each blog. One blog is more than enough for me to handle.
But because of all what's happening in the Sudan, I had a feeling I might need a second blog by Aug 1 anyway. So, today I took the plunge and made a start. And had to come up with a title. What immediately sprang to mind was the title of Karen's essay: "A Breath of Hope".
And so I've used the title and dedicated the blog to Jim's friend, Karen Southwick. I thought it was apt because humans suffer illnesses whether in USA, UK or Africa. And I wouldn't be doing any of this on the Sudan and aid agencies if it weren't for Jim. I picked up on genocide in Darfur at Jim's blog on April 24 at a time when reports on the Sudan were hard to find.
Here in England being chronically long term ill is a bureacratic nightmare. But for a refugee falling ill in the heat of Africa must be horrendous. The word "hope" in the title of my blog will be: that the whole multi billion dollar business of humanitarian aid - food, water, shelter and medical care - will get attention, shaken up and sorted. Refugees in Africa also contract cancer - so I hope Karen would not mind a stranger dedicating a blog to her last essay. Who knows, one day extracts from the essay could be translated into Arabic and Swahili and other languages.
A Breath of Hope only took two minutes to set up, but two hours to fiddle around getting used to it. Can't figure how to use sidebar properly. Sorry it's a bit scrappy and needs tidying. Right now the way I see the blog working is that it will act as a collection of news reports etc., to see at a glance, why the humanitarian aid business needs attention and sorting.
My previous post, here below, is a good example - along with yesterday's report quoting the head of Medecins Sans Frontieres as saying: "The scale of response is still not adequate ... there is still a massive need to help these people and it hasn't materialised yet - water was in critically short supply and food was equally scarce - "Malnutrition rates are high and they are going to get higher," he added.
So, I tested my new blog with a few posts and links. And visited Jim's blog to capture his link to Karen's essay (I can't direct link to pdf files). But the Harvard server was down. I was stuck. My new blog was sort of half alive with half a post published and dangling in the blogosphere.
So I went back into my copy of the pdf file to find a way to link it. And noticed a link at the top of Karen's essay - clicked into it - and what did I find?? The view of a person blog. I hadn't seen it before but knew right away Jim had something to do with it. Don't ask me how I know. I don't even know myself.
And then I read the post. Who else is in west Boston, in front of a Mac, blogging so thoughtfully?? It had to be Jim of course!! Hey what a surprise. Neat blog too.
But how sad too. Note the first entry was on July 17. My guess is that Jim's co-author was to be Karen - who died on, or shortly before, July 26, the date of Jim's post. Although the blog linked to me, I had no idea because it's not shown up in Technorati as linking to me (Technorati seems to be getting worse, not better).
So, that's what I mean about serendipity. Within a few thoughts, ideas and a few keystrokes I found - among the trillions of messages zipping around the net - stuff that spoke directly to me, simply because Jim cared to put a link to the new blog in Karen's essay. Who's a clever pussycat eh? Jim, that's who! How amazing the blogsphere is. Love from Ingrid and Ophelia xx Sorry Jim must be feeling so sad.
God bless and RIP Karen Southwick + + +
- - -
Q&A:
Sudan President Omar al-Bashir
July 26: Q&A interview with Sudan President Omar al-Bashir.
- - -
Arab press sharpens tone on Darfur
July 27: Another great news round up from BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages:
Several Arab newspapers have been unusually critical of the Sudanese government in commentaries on the continuing crisis in Darfur in western Sudan.
One daily takes the Khartoum government to task for its "constant stubbornness", another says Darfur has become a "brand of shame" on Sudan.
There is also a complaint that the international community wants to act quickly in Sudan, but is still dragging its feet in the Middle East.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/27/2004
Sunday, July 25, 2004
URGENT: DARFUR AND CHAD
RELIEF EFFORTS MUST BE DOUBLED -- NOW --
Current aid relief is meeting only 40 percent of the critical needs
Apologies to readers for no original commentary in the past few posts. I am over tired through posting a whole series of updates here (please keep scrolling) in which I have written my take on things. I stayed up very late last night posting about the appalling aid situation - that turned into a vent - and lo and behold woke up this morning to find the BBC have been reporting on the aid situation almost every few hours today.
My thoughts since last night are that I would like to see the Head of the British Army, General Sir Mike Jackson, head up coordination of aid from international aid agencies. UN Jan Egeland is clearly not up to the job. It's a massive and complex operation that requires quality military precision, planning, efficiency and reliability. Surely it can be conducted out of England or UN HQ. The multi billion dollar business of humanitarian aid relief must get its act together - they've had enough years. Bring in the expertise and leadership of the British Army to sort them out. If the British Army cannot be inside Sudan right now - because the Sudanese government is refusing all offers of help - then at least we in the West can try to help the refugees by using first rate expertise, training, planning, equipment and technology - not to mention all the other special resources, contacts, networks at our disposal.
Tomorrow I shall email my MP Oliver Letwin to suggest that General Sir Mike Jackson (along with as many staff as he needs) oversees the distribution of aid to Chad and Sudan to ensure it reaches those in need. The whole relief effort needs doubling within a matter of hours (it can't wait days, weeks, months) and since the past 16 months of effort from people like Jan Egeland has been a 60 percent failure - then it is crucial that someone else - of top drawer ability - takes charge temporarily and leads and directs operations.
If I had the energy, and know-how, I'd set up a petition online calling for Downing Street to put Sir General Mike Jackson in charge of the relief effort for Chad and Sudan so my MP could see some evidence of public support for our military handling the logistics of aid distribution. Britain is the largest cash donor - we need to ensure that what the UK is paying for, is used to maximum effect. No doubt the taxpayers and donors in many other countries would agree.
Please excuse if any part of this post sounds disjointed - I am extremely over tired, cannot spend any time on editing this down and realise I may have not produced a tight enough argument to support my suggestion - but deep down I know it is a good suggestion (that the GoS can't take offence at because it is not military intervention) that can start happening within 24 hours of the nod and not having to wait for UN Resolutions and deadlines. General Jackson can be monitoring and assessing the situation through the distribution of aid and feedback he gets for the reasons of any of the aid failing to reach the refugees in Chad and Darfur.
July 25: Report by International Rescue Committee (IRC) - copied here in full - on why relief efforts for war-displaced in Darfur and Chad must be doubled now:
The international humanitarian response to the crisis in Darfur, Sudan, and eastern Chad must be boosted immediately and dramatically to save hundreds of thousands of lives that may be lost because of rising levels of disease and malnutrition.
IRC health teams in Darfur and Chad report increasing cases of diarrhea and dysentery and the growing threat of cholera and other predatory diseases such as measles and typhoid. According to the World Health Organization, a cholera epidemic striking up to 300,000 could break out within weeks now that heavy rains have begun. Once the rains subside, we fear a devastating outbreak of malaria.
“The existing health crisis in Darfur is greatly exacerbated by a capacity and logistics crisis,” says IRC president George Rupp. “Even with UN and international aid groups ramping up humanitarian assistance, current capacity in the region is by best estimates meeting only 40 percent of the critical needs of the displaced population.”
When health and social services are interrupted by war, death rates soar. The IRC documented this in the Democratic Republic of Congo where our mortality surveys found that between 1999 and 2003, over 3 million people died, most of them from disease in the absence of a functioning health system.
“To ensure that mortality rates do not increase to this horrific level in Sudan,” emphasized Rupp, “the international community must significantly boost the humanitarian delivery of basic health, water, sanitation and food services to Chad and Darfur right now.”
Vast security and logistical improvements, unhindered access, and a doubling, if not tripling of humanitarian relief programs are necessary to meet the needs of 1.2 million uprooted Sudanese. This will require a focused and cooperative effort by the UN, the African Union (AU), major international and regional powers, the donor community and NGOs. While we recognize that efforts are underway with the Government of Sudan to work through political and security issues, we urge that the same effort, if not more, be focused on doubling humanitarian capacity on the ground.
The IRC calls on the UN Security Council, UN member states and the larger international community to explore the following options for delivering assistance in a permissive and a non-permissive environment:
1) Accelerate diplomatic, political and military efforts to improve security and access within Darfur.
· Strengthen the mandate of the African Union Protection Force to include protection and assistance for the civilian delivery of humanitarian aid. · Consider a no-fly zone over Darfur and along the Chad/Sudan border to protect civilians and permit the scaling up of rescue and relief operations.
2) Ramp up the logistical capacity to double the delivery of aid. · Seek additional civil and military logistical and material support from UN member states to ensure the civilian delivery of aid.
· Boost UN and NGO capabilities for coordination and management of regional relief efforts and support the establishment of a logistics base for humanitarian relief activities. · Expand Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) to include Darfur. Use the OLS airbase in Lokichokio, Kenya, to airlift material and supplies to western Sudan.
3) Increase funding and resources for the UN and the African Union. · Provide urgent support to the African Union with funding, supplies, transport, vehicles, command, communication and leadership.
· Fund the pending UN humanitarian appeals (currently funded at only 40 percent).
Founded in 1933, the IRC is a global leader in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development and resettlement services for refugees and others uprooted or affected by persecution and violent conflict. The IRC has been providing humanitarian assistance in Sudan for more than 20 years. For more information, visit www.theIRC.org. CONTACT: Sandra Mitchell (DC) 202-822-0166, ext. 10 Melissa Winkler (NY) 212-551-0972.
- - -
Further reading:
July 25: Aid agencies in Chad brace for more Sudan refugees. Fresh fighting could push them over the frontier and relief workers have also received reports that the displaced are unhappy with efforts by Sudanese authorities to move them to new camps. Those people may decide to head for Chad instead. 'The first thing we have to identify is where we could put the people,' said Geoff Wordley, a senior emergency officer with the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR liaising with other aid groups.
'We agreed that the planning figure would be for 200,000.' Struggling with one of the world's worst humanitarian crises in harsh desert and savannah terrain, aid workers say finding water to supply refugee sites and potential new camps stretching over 600 km (375 miles) ranks among their biggest problems.
UNHCR has called in Alain Gachet, a French expert in exploring for oil, gold and other precious resources for big multinational companies, to use radar satellite technology he has pioneered to find likely sites of underground water."
July 25: Aid agencies are restoring food supplies to two refugee camps in Chad after operations were suspended for several days because of violence. Another 5,000 people are outside one of the camps, currently without food.
July 25: On Sunday night a plane loaded with Oxfam aid for Sudanese refugee camps will fly from England to an airstrip in Darfur. Oxfam's Adrian McIntyre is based in Darfur. He tells BBC News Online of the difficulties of getting aid to those who most need it.
July 25: Aid workers who were forced to leave two refugee camps in Chad because of violence have resumed their operations.
- - -
Update Sunday July 25:
Warm thanks for great and speedy response from Crazy Canuck in Canada.
July 26: Sudanese President Bashir has brushed off mounting international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, accusing the West of using the issue to 'target Islam'." (like Jim Moore says, you can't make this stuff up).
RELIEF EFFORTS MUST BE DOUBLED -- NOW --
Current aid relief is meeting only 40 percent of the critical needs
Apologies to readers for no original commentary in the past few posts. I am over tired through posting a whole series of updates here (please keep scrolling) in which I have written my take on things. I stayed up very late last night posting about the appalling aid situation - that turned into a vent - and lo and behold woke up this morning to find the BBC have been reporting on the aid situation almost every few hours today.
My thoughts since last night are that I would like to see the Head of the British Army, General Sir Mike Jackson, head up coordination of aid from international aid agencies. UN Jan Egeland is clearly not up to the job. It's a massive and complex operation that requires quality military precision, planning, efficiency and reliability. Surely it can be conducted out of England or UN HQ. The multi billion dollar business of humanitarian aid relief must get its act together - they've had enough years. Bring in the expertise and leadership of the British Army to sort them out. If the British Army cannot be inside Sudan right now - because the Sudanese government is refusing all offers of help - then at least we in the West can try to help the refugees by using first rate expertise, training, planning, equipment and technology - not to mention all the other special resources, contacts, networks at our disposal.
Tomorrow I shall email my MP Oliver Letwin to suggest that General Sir Mike Jackson (along with as many staff as he needs) oversees the distribution of aid to Chad and Sudan to ensure it reaches those in need. The whole relief effort needs doubling within a matter of hours (it can't wait days, weeks, months) and since the past 16 months of effort from people like Jan Egeland has been a 60 percent failure - then it is crucial that someone else - of top drawer ability - takes charge temporarily and leads and directs operations.
If I had the energy, and know-how, I'd set up a petition online calling for Downing Street to put Sir General Mike Jackson in charge of the relief effort for Chad and Sudan so my MP could see some evidence of public support for our military handling the logistics of aid distribution. Britain is the largest cash donor - we need to ensure that what the UK is paying for, is used to maximum effect. No doubt the taxpayers and donors in many other countries would agree.
Please excuse if any part of this post sounds disjointed - I am extremely over tired, cannot spend any time on editing this down and realise I may have not produced a tight enough argument to support my suggestion - but deep down I know it is a good suggestion (that the GoS can't take offence at because it is not military intervention) that can start happening within 24 hours of the nod and not having to wait for UN Resolutions and deadlines. General Jackson can be monitoring and assessing the situation through the distribution of aid and feedback he gets for the reasons of any of the aid failing to reach the refugees in Chad and Darfur.
July 25: Report by International Rescue Committee (IRC) - copied here in full - on why relief efforts for war-displaced in Darfur and Chad must be doubled now:
The international humanitarian response to the crisis in Darfur, Sudan, and eastern Chad must be boosted immediately and dramatically to save hundreds of thousands of lives that may be lost because of rising levels of disease and malnutrition.
IRC health teams in Darfur and Chad report increasing cases of diarrhea and dysentery and the growing threat of cholera and other predatory diseases such as measles and typhoid. According to the World Health Organization, a cholera epidemic striking up to 300,000 could break out within weeks now that heavy rains have begun. Once the rains subside, we fear a devastating outbreak of malaria.
“The existing health crisis in Darfur is greatly exacerbated by a capacity and logistics crisis,” says IRC president George Rupp. “Even with UN and international aid groups ramping up humanitarian assistance, current capacity in the region is by best estimates meeting only 40 percent of the critical needs of the displaced population.”
When health and social services are interrupted by war, death rates soar. The IRC documented this in the Democratic Republic of Congo where our mortality surveys found that between 1999 and 2003, over 3 million people died, most of them from disease in the absence of a functioning health system.
“To ensure that mortality rates do not increase to this horrific level in Sudan,” emphasized Rupp, “the international community must significantly boost the humanitarian delivery of basic health, water, sanitation and food services to Chad and Darfur right now.”
Vast security and logistical improvements, unhindered access, and a doubling, if not tripling of humanitarian relief programs are necessary to meet the needs of 1.2 million uprooted Sudanese. This will require a focused and cooperative effort by the UN, the African Union (AU), major international and regional powers, the donor community and NGOs. While we recognize that efforts are underway with the Government of Sudan to work through political and security issues, we urge that the same effort, if not more, be focused on doubling humanitarian capacity on the ground.
The IRC calls on the UN Security Council, UN member states and the larger international community to explore the following options for delivering assistance in a permissive and a non-permissive environment:
1) Accelerate diplomatic, political and military efforts to improve security and access within Darfur.
· Strengthen the mandate of the African Union Protection Force to include protection and assistance for the civilian delivery of humanitarian aid. · Consider a no-fly zone over Darfur and along the Chad/Sudan border to protect civilians and permit the scaling up of rescue and relief operations.
2) Ramp up the logistical capacity to double the delivery of aid. · Seek additional civil and military logistical and material support from UN member states to ensure the civilian delivery of aid.
· Boost UN and NGO capabilities for coordination and management of regional relief efforts and support the establishment of a logistics base for humanitarian relief activities. · Expand Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) to include Darfur. Use the OLS airbase in Lokichokio, Kenya, to airlift material and supplies to western Sudan.
3) Increase funding and resources for the UN and the African Union. · Provide urgent support to the African Union with funding, supplies, transport, vehicles, command, communication and leadership.
· Fund the pending UN humanitarian appeals (currently funded at only 40 percent).
Founded in 1933, the IRC is a global leader in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development and resettlement services for refugees and others uprooted or affected by persecution and violent conflict. The IRC has been providing humanitarian assistance in Sudan for more than 20 years. For more information, visit www.theIRC.org. CONTACT: Sandra Mitchell (DC) 202-822-0166, ext. 10 Melissa Winkler (NY) 212-551-0972.
- - -
Further reading:
July 25: Aid agencies in Chad brace for more Sudan refugees. Fresh fighting could push them over the frontier and relief workers have also received reports that the displaced are unhappy with efforts by Sudanese authorities to move them to new camps. Those people may decide to head for Chad instead. 'The first thing we have to identify is where we could put the people,' said Geoff Wordley, a senior emergency officer with the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR liaising with other aid groups.
'We agreed that the planning figure would be for 200,000.' Struggling with one of the world's worst humanitarian crises in harsh desert and savannah terrain, aid workers say finding water to supply refugee sites and potential new camps stretching over 600 km (375 miles) ranks among their biggest problems.
UNHCR has called in Alain Gachet, a French expert in exploring for oil, gold and other precious resources for big multinational companies, to use radar satellite technology he has pioneered to find likely sites of underground water."
July 25: Aid agencies are restoring food supplies to two refugee camps in Chad after operations were suspended for several days because of violence. Another 5,000 people are outside one of the camps, currently without food.
July 25: On Sunday night a plane loaded with Oxfam aid for Sudanese refugee camps will fly from England to an airstrip in Darfur. Oxfam's Adrian McIntyre is based in Darfur. He tells BBC News Online of the difficulties of getting aid to those who most need it.
July 25: Aid workers who were forced to leave two refugee camps in Chad because of violence have resumed their operations.
- - -
Update Sunday July 25:
Warm thanks for great and speedy response from Crazy Canuck in Canada.
July 26: Sudanese President Bashir has brushed off mounting international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, accusing the West of using the issue to 'target Islam'." (like Jim Moore says, you can't make this stuff up).
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/25/2004
- - -
TWO EXCELLENT REPORTS ON SUDAN
Help explain complexities of helping those suffering in Sudan
We fight on, says the demon of Darfur
July 25, 2004 by Rich Miniter, El Fasher, Darfur Sunday Times
IN THE desolate hills of North Darfur, scene of some of the most hideous atrocities in a campaign of mass rape, ethnic cleansing and murder on a scale that has prompted claims of genocide, this weekend’s international machinations to get United Nations resolutions passed and peace talks started meant nothing to Musa Khaber.
A tall, glowering man, Khaber is the leader of the Janjaweed militia in the north. That his men have lived up to the militia’s name — Arabic for “demon on horseback” — is not in doubt. These particular demons have burnt countless villages, hacked and shot thousands of men and boys and raped the women or driven them into the desert to die.
Yet Khaber, who was tracked to his lair by The Sunday Times on Friday after a gruelling journey by Land Rover and on foot, does not like the word Janjaweed. An interpreter warned that it should not be used in front of him. “You will make him angry,” he whispered, drawing a line across his neck.
What actually infuriated Khaber, as it turned out, was the mention of possible international intervention in Darfur under the auspices of the UN, or perhaps the British and American governments.
Khaber, his face masked by a turban arranged to cover all but his eyes and the crown of his head, glared menacingly, oblivious to two flies crawling on his eyelids.
“We will fight them,” he declared. “We hate them and we will attack the foreigners. We refuse to be like Iraq — surrendered, confused and occupied.”
As his bodyguards — hard men carrying AK-47s and G3 assault weapons — looked out from hillside vantage points in rocks above us and the desert below, Khaber formed his hand into the shape of a pistol to emphasise his point. “We will fight them, more than the mujaheddin in Afghanistan.”
The journey to Khaber had taken us through rough terrain in some ways reminiscent of Afghanistan, with its welter of tough, independent tribesmen, its Islamic extremism and its multitude of weapons.
From this combustible mixture at a point where black African peasants have clashed with nomadic African Arabs for centuries, a conflict exploded last year with a force that has only now shaken the international community into limited action.
Put simply, a revolt mounted largely by black Africans triggered a ferocious response from mainly Arab militias, allegedly backed by the government in Khartoum.
The picture on the ground is much more complex, but about 1.5m people have been displaced — nearly one-fifth of the population of Darfur. About 200,000 have fled into neighbouring Chad, while 1m have settled into one of 132 “internally displaced persons’ camps” spread over a region the size of France.
Perhaps 30,000 have been killed and starvation and disease threaten thousands more.
Aid is arriving but is in short supply; UN officials have acknowledged that this is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis but have been unable to contain it; and no consensus has emerged among African or western leaders on what to do.
The power in Darfur still rests largely with Khaber and a host of lesser men like him. To find him meant passing through a Sudanese army cordon around the dusty town of El Fasher. We drove for 40 miles over sandy savannah.
A steep wall of rock-strewn hills eventually blocked our path and we continued on foot. After hiking over hills more than 150ft high we were halted by the shouts of a gun-waving man in a white turban. He was a Janjaweed lookout.
We were told to wait. From the steep, lifeless hills we could see for miles and eventually a truck emerged in the distance. As the white dot grew, we realised that it was a pick-up truck with a number of armed men in the back. It stopped out of sight and about 20 minutes later we were given the signal to proceed into some stony ravines.
There, beside a scrub bush, I met Khaber, a dark black man who introduced himself as an Arab. Many members of the opposing groups in the conflict are physically virtually indistinguishable from one another and Khaber’s band is a mixture of men from Arab and African tribes. What they have in common is a taste for war and loot.
The Janjaweed leader claimed that despite reports of backing from Khartoum, his militia was allied to nobody. “We are not with the rebels, we are not with the government — we are in hell,” he said. “But we look for our due.”
Asked what he considered his due, he replied: “Development.” When I pointed out that the number of schools had tripled in Darfur in the past 10 years and there were three hospitals and one university where before there had been none, he was dismissive. “I am from Krniui village. They have built nothing in my village.”
I pressed Khaber on the allegations — long denied by Khartoum — that the Janjaweed are funded and controlled by the national government. He insisted it gave him no support.
“We fight all governments in Sudan,” he said. “We get nothing from the government.” He conceded only that he had some relatives in the local government who provided assistance from time to time.
The interview ended abruptly when a lookout sounded that the Sudanese army was approaching. Men with rocket-propelled grenade launchers and heavy machineguns climbed into crags, evidently preparing for a shootout.
Khaber stood up suddenly and ran to Dafalla Hajar, his number two. They argued rapidly in Arabic, but were clearly outnumbered. As the Janjaweed fled north, we retraced our steps hoping to avoid the army and arrest.
This rugged and remote region, divided into North, South and West Darfur, is the perfect environment for misery. Famine and disease are familiar. Most of the hardship is man-made, the product of competing ideologies and rival groups such as Khaber’s.
Sudan’s army now garrisons the cities, as do the police in blue camouflage uniforms.
While the government’s Popular Defence Force, a part-time body of territorials, patrols some of the hinterland, irregular army units and 80 Arab tribal militias rove the landscape on camel and horseback.
To them can be added the wandering nomads whose dirty white turbans, flowing robes and camel trains could be from a millennium ago, but for their AK-47s. Then there are gun- toting bandits who roam western Sudan and Chad, seeking women and booty.
Finally there is a constellation of armed groups loosely called the rebels. These include the professionally trained insurgents of the Justice and Equality Movement — backed by the now jailed former speaker of Sudan’s parliament, Hassan al-Turabi; the Sudan Liberation Army, believed to be supported by Eritrea; the Federal Democratic Movement, which specialises in murdering policemen; and the so-called “African” tribal militias, one of which calls itself Tora Bora in homage to Osama Bin Laden’s fighters in Afghanistan.
“Outside the major market towns,” said David Hoile, who works as a consultant to the government of Sudan and western companies, “men carry guns as casually as women in Chelmsford would carry handbags.”
Disarming these warring factions may be impossible. If Khartoum dispatches more troops to Darfur, it will be in violation of its ceasefire with the two main rebel groups.
Disarmament would in any case enrage the Janjaweed and the African and Arab tribal militias, who may turn their guns on aid workers and Sudanese soldiers alike, detonating any chance of relief efforts.
Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir, nevertheless issued a decree on June 18 declaring that all groups will be disarmed and that those guilty of human rights abuses will be punished.
Khartoum’s ability to enforce its will is doubtful. Over the 196,404 square miles of Darfur there are only 15 paved roads. The rainy season will soon turn them into mires. Still, some progress is apparent.
At Nyala, in South Darfur, a judge opened the prison gates to reporters last week. Inside the British-built structure, 12 Janjaweed prisoners squatted in the sunlight. The judge explained that they had been convicted of crimes ranging from theft and rape to murder and sentenced to between three and 12 years’ “hard time”.
The governor of North Darfur, Mohammed Kupor, said there was now “a great campaign” by the army, police and intelligence services against the Janjaweed. For the past two weeks these combined forces have staked out water holes, searched with helicopters and even sent camel patrols into the mountains. During that fortnight, the governor said, 400 Janjaweed have been captured.
Yet nobody knows how many thousands are still at large, roaming freely to terrorise the inhabitants of Darfur.
The victims are not hard to find. Abu Shouk, six miles north of El Fasher, is one step away from hell. On hot plains at the edge of the Sahara, 43,000 people live behind a chain link fence guarded by Sudanese soldiers. It is more than 100F by late morning and to survive the heat, the inhabitants need eight litres of water per day. They often do not get it.
The story of one woman at the camp, Hawa Addella Mahmud, 28, is typical of many. Until a year ago she thought she had it all. Her husband was loving and she was pregnant with twins. Then, early in the morning, came the camel-riding Janjaweed. Her husband and neighbours were killed and she walked for 10 days. When she arrived at the camp, her twins were born dead.
At the Sayalabe camp near Nyala in the south, refugees told another story that sounded a lot like ethnic cleansing. On the afternoon of May 22, Janjaweed attacked their village on foot. As a helicopter hovered, more than a dozen gunmen sought out the Africans for murder while sparing the Arabs.
Another refugee, Suakan al-Taher, 17, who is now at a camp near Genina in the west, lost her husband in an attack on their village. All its 63 men were murdered, she said. She fled with her baby.
Last week she rearranged her blue veil to shield her daughter from the sun. Her thoughts were not of Janjaweed or rebel forces, but of survival. “We are suffering for (lack of) food,” she said. “We are cold at night and hot in the day.”
- - -
Darfur's deep grievances defy all hopes for an easy solution
Sunday July 25, 2004 - The Observer:
The world is waking to the human disaster in Sudan. But, argues writer and world authority on the country, Alex de Waal, the crisis is far more complex than some claim - and cannot be resolved by a quick fix.
Darfur, the war-torn province in western Sudan where a terrible humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding, has yet more awful secrets to divulge.
In addition to 1.2 million displaced people living and dying in refugee camps in the region and across the border in neighbouring Chad, there are hundreds of thousands more struggling to survive in their homes in the vast areas held by the rebel movements fighting against the Khartoum government.
They are far from any TV cameras, and far from the comfort of aid agencies. They are surviving as their parents and grandparents did, through hardiness and skill.
They, not us, are the proven experts in surviving famine. Where a foreigner sees a wasteland of sand and mountain, a rural woman sees landscape replete with wild grasses, berries and roots.
The most ubiquitous of these is a berry known as mukheit, which grows on a small bush. It looks like a big pale pea, it's toxic and needs to be soaked in water for three days before it's edible, and even then it tastes sour. But it's nutritious, and it's in season now.
During the drought-famine of 1984-85, perhaps two million people survived on mukheit, often for months. It was a far bigger factor in survival than food aid, and it was common to see women foraging on the remotest hills, children strapped to their backs, gathering this unappetising but life-preserving crop. Then there's difra, a wild grass that grows across the desert-edge plateaux, which can be harvested in August, and up to 80 more species known to every grandmother.
Mukheit keeps adults alive, but it isn't enough for children. During the 1980s famine, infectious diseases and lack of weaning foods killed an estimated 75,000 children. As the world becomes aware of this as-yet-invisible disaster, aid agencies will demand access across the front lines. And those aid convoys will need an international protection force.
The Darfur war erupted early last year, when two armed movements - Sudan Liberation Army and the Justice and Equality Movement - began a rebellion against a government in Khartoum that had neglected their region.
In response, the government mobilised, armed and directed a militia, known as Janjaweed ('rabble' or 'outlaws' in local dialect), using scorched earth, massacre and starvation as cheap counter-insurgency weapons. The UN has described Darfur as 'the world's worst humanitarian crisis'. On Friday, the US Congress described it as 'genocide'. The British government is considering sending in 5,000 troops.
Characterising the Darfur war as 'Arabs' versus 'Africans' obscures the reality. Darfur's Arabs are black, indigenous, African and Muslim - just like Darfur's non-Arabs, who hail from the Fur, Masalit, Zaghawa and a dozen smaller tribes.
Until recently, Darfurians used the term 'Arab' in its ancient sense of 'bedouin'. These Arabic-speaking nomads are distinct from the inheritors of the Arab culture of the Nile and the Fertile Crescent.
'Arabism' in Darfur is a political ideology, recently imported, after Colonel Gadaffi nurtured dreams of an 'Arab belt' across Africa, and recruited Chadian Arabs, Darfurians and west African Tuaregs to spearhead his invasion of Chad in the 1980s. He failed, but the legacy of arms, militia organisation and Arab supremacist ideology lives on.
Many Janjaweed hail from the Chadian Arab groups mobilised during those days. Most of Darfur's Arabs remain uninvolved in the conflict, but racist ideology appeals to many poor and frustrated young men.
Since 1987 there have been recurrent clashes between the Arab militias and village self-defence groups. Their roots were local conflicts over land and water, especially in the wake of droughts, made worse by the absence of an effective police force in the region for 20 years.
The last intertribal conference met in 1989, but its recommendations were never implemented. Year by year, law and order has broken down, and the government has done nothing but play a game of divide-and-rule, usually favouring the better-armed Arabs.
In response, the non-Arab groups (some of them bedouins too - there's a clan related to the Zaghawa that even has the name Bedeyaat) have mobilised, adopting the label 'African', which helps to gain solidarity with the southern-based Sudan People's Liberation Army, and is a ticket to sympathy in the West.
The Darfur conflict erupted just as protracted peace negotiations between Khartoum and the SPLA on an end to the 20-year-old war in southern Sudan entered their final stage. Some observers have speculated that the rebellion was launched because the SPLA won its concessions by dint of armed struggle, thereby encouraging other discontented Sudanese regions to try the same.
There's an element of truth in that, and a danger that the Beja of eastern Sudan will also re-ignite their dormant insurrection. But Darfur has long-standing grievances. Even more than southern Sudan, the province has been neglected. It has the fewest schools and hospitals in the country. Promises of development came to nothing.
Darfurian radicals have long tried to start a liberation war. In 1991, the SPLA sent an armed force to Darfur to foment resistance: it failed, and an entire cadre of leftist leadership was arrested or neutralised as a result. The young SLA leaders have emerged from the shadow of this debacle.
Meanwhile, the Islamic government tried to neutralise complaints of neglect by playing the religion card. Darfur's Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa tribes are well-known for their Muslim piety, and were attracted by the idea of being enfranchised through their Muslim faith. But this proved another hollow promise, and when the Sudanese Islamist movement split four years ago, most Darfurian Islamists went into opposition, some of them forming the JEM.
There is no quick fix in Darfur. But after the first round of mediation by the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a week ago, the elements of a settlement are coming into focus. The first of these is removing obstacles to relief operations. The second is enforcing the ceasefire, agreed by the parties in the Chadian capital of Ndjamena in April, but flouted - far more egregiously by the government and Janjaweed. For hungry villagers, the ceasefire is a survival issue, as their skill at harvesting wild foods has no value if they are confined to camps by fear of rape, mutilation or murder.
The African Union - headed by its energetic leader, the, former Malian President Alpha Konare - has put 24 ceasefire monitors on the ground so far to oversee the Ndjamena agreement. Three hundred African troops are also on their way, to ensure that the monitors can move in safety.
Providing security to civilians will need a far larger and more robust force. Even before the insurrection, Darfur was a province in arms. Every village or nomadic clan possessed automatic weapons - a necessity given that there has been no effective police force there for the past 20 years.
Last month, President Omer al-Bashir promised to disarm the Janjaweed. In doing so, he has put himself in a corner. There's overwhelming evidence, circumstantial and documentary, that Khartoum supplied the militia with arms, logistics and air support. But it doesn't follow that it can so easily rein them in. Darfur cannot be disarmed by force.
The principal Janjaweed camps can be identified and the militiamen cantonised there. This demands a tough surveillance regime, overseen by international forces. But the armed Bedouin cannot be encamped: they rely on their herds for livelihood and hence need to move, and they are too numerous and scattered to disarm. In fact, 'disarmament' is a misnomer. What will work is community-based regulation of armaments, gradually squeezing out bandits and criminals.
What to do with the Chadian Arabs will be one tricky issue. Another will be the fact that all Darfurians - Arab and non-Arab alike - profoundly distrust a government in Khartoum that has brought them nothing but trouble. Arms control can be made to work only when the scaffolding of a provincial administration and political settlement is in place.
Another issue is human rights: investigating claims of genocide and who's responsible. This issue is best parked with an international commission - perhaps a special investigator from the International Criminal Court.
A political solution can be framed as these immediate issues are tackled. At the moment the sides are far apart, their public language one of mutual recrimination.
In theory, a settlement of Darfur's provincial issues should not be too difficult. The rebels - who drop their simplistic 'African' versus 'Arab' terminology as soon as they get into details - have no desire to purge Darfur of its indigenous black Arabs.
They do not seek self-determination or separation. Their demands, for equitable development, land rights, schools and clinics, and local democracy are perfectly reasonable. Formulae for provincial autonomy are also negotiable.
The national issues are more difficult. Settling Darfur's grievances will mean revisiting many of the Naivasha formulae, which were drafted on a simplified north-south dichotomy. For example, senior government jobs have been divided between the ruling Congress Party and the SPLA: who is going to make concessions to allow Darfur its fair share?
Nonetheless, the Darfur process can be speeded up by implementing the Naivasha agreement and bringing SPLA leader John Garang to Khartoum as vice president. Garang aspires to represent a coalition of all Sudan's non-Arab peoples, including Darfurians, and it will be politically impossible for him to endorse a war in Darfur.
The African Union, with UN support, is applying lessons learned from the Naivasha negotiation. If this is to work, the US, Britain and the EU will need to use their leverage in support of the AU formula. The next meeting is scheduled for a month's time.
The immediate life and death needs of Darfur's people cannot wait for these negotiations to mature. A British brigade could make a formidable difference to the situation. It could escort aid supplies into rebel-held areas, and provide aerial surveillance, logistics and back-up to ceasefire monitoring, helping to give Darfurian villagers the confidence to return to their homes and pick up their lives.
Alex de Waal is director of Justice Africa (London). An updated version of his book, Famine that Kills: Darfur, Sudan, 1984-5, is published by Oxford University Press this autumn.
TWO EXCELLENT REPORTS ON SUDAN
Help explain complexities of helping those suffering in Sudan
We fight on, says the demon of Darfur
July 25, 2004 by Rich Miniter, El Fasher, Darfur Sunday Times
IN THE desolate hills of North Darfur, scene of some of the most hideous atrocities in a campaign of mass rape, ethnic cleansing and murder on a scale that has prompted claims of genocide, this weekend’s international machinations to get United Nations resolutions passed and peace talks started meant nothing to Musa Khaber.
A tall, glowering man, Khaber is the leader of the Janjaweed militia in the north. That his men have lived up to the militia’s name — Arabic for “demon on horseback” — is not in doubt. These particular demons have burnt countless villages, hacked and shot thousands of men and boys and raped the women or driven them into the desert to die.
Yet Khaber, who was tracked to his lair by The Sunday Times on Friday after a gruelling journey by Land Rover and on foot, does not like the word Janjaweed. An interpreter warned that it should not be used in front of him. “You will make him angry,” he whispered, drawing a line across his neck.
What actually infuriated Khaber, as it turned out, was the mention of possible international intervention in Darfur under the auspices of the UN, or perhaps the British and American governments.
Khaber, his face masked by a turban arranged to cover all but his eyes and the crown of his head, glared menacingly, oblivious to two flies crawling on his eyelids.
“We will fight them,” he declared. “We hate them and we will attack the foreigners. We refuse to be like Iraq — surrendered, confused and occupied.”
As his bodyguards — hard men carrying AK-47s and G3 assault weapons — looked out from hillside vantage points in rocks above us and the desert below, Khaber formed his hand into the shape of a pistol to emphasise his point. “We will fight them, more than the mujaheddin in Afghanistan.”
The journey to Khaber had taken us through rough terrain in some ways reminiscent of Afghanistan, with its welter of tough, independent tribesmen, its Islamic extremism and its multitude of weapons.
From this combustible mixture at a point where black African peasants have clashed with nomadic African Arabs for centuries, a conflict exploded last year with a force that has only now shaken the international community into limited action.
Put simply, a revolt mounted largely by black Africans triggered a ferocious response from mainly Arab militias, allegedly backed by the government in Khartoum.
The picture on the ground is much more complex, but about 1.5m people have been displaced — nearly one-fifth of the population of Darfur. About 200,000 have fled into neighbouring Chad, while 1m have settled into one of 132 “internally displaced persons’ camps” spread over a region the size of France.
Perhaps 30,000 have been killed and starvation and disease threaten thousands more.
Aid is arriving but is in short supply; UN officials have acknowledged that this is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis but have been unable to contain it; and no consensus has emerged among African or western leaders on what to do.
The power in Darfur still rests largely with Khaber and a host of lesser men like him. To find him meant passing through a Sudanese army cordon around the dusty town of El Fasher. We drove for 40 miles over sandy savannah.
A steep wall of rock-strewn hills eventually blocked our path and we continued on foot. After hiking over hills more than 150ft high we were halted by the shouts of a gun-waving man in a white turban. He was a Janjaweed lookout.
We were told to wait. From the steep, lifeless hills we could see for miles and eventually a truck emerged in the distance. As the white dot grew, we realised that it was a pick-up truck with a number of armed men in the back. It stopped out of sight and about 20 minutes later we were given the signal to proceed into some stony ravines.
There, beside a scrub bush, I met Khaber, a dark black man who introduced himself as an Arab. Many members of the opposing groups in the conflict are physically virtually indistinguishable from one another and Khaber’s band is a mixture of men from Arab and African tribes. What they have in common is a taste for war and loot.
The Janjaweed leader claimed that despite reports of backing from Khartoum, his militia was allied to nobody. “We are not with the rebels, we are not with the government — we are in hell,” he said. “But we look for our due.”
Asked what he considered his due, he replied: “Development.” When I pointed out that the number of schools had tripled in Darfur in the past 10 years and there were three hospitals and one university where before there had been none, he was dismissive. “I am from Krniui village. They have built nothing in my village.”
I pressed Khaber on the allegations — long denied by Khartoum — that the Janjaweed are funded and controlled by the national government. He insisted it gave him no support.
“We fight all governments in Sudan,” he said. “We get nothing from the government.” He conceded only that he had some relatives in the local government who provided assistance from time to time.
The interview ended abruptly when a lookout sounded that the Sudanese army was approaching. Men with rocket-propelled grenade launchers and heavy machineguns climbed into crags, evidently preparing for a shootout.
Khaber stood up suddenly and ran to Dafalla Hajar, his number two. They argued rapidly in Arabic, but were clearly outnumbered. As the Janjaweed fled north, we retraced our steps hoping to avoid the army and arrest.
This rugged and remote region, divided into North, South and West Darfur, is the perfect environment for misery. Famine and disease are familiar. Most of the hardship is man-made, the product of competing ideologies and rival groups such as Khaber’s.
Sudan’s army now garrisons the cities, as do the police in blue camouflage uniforms.
While the government’s Popular Defence Force, a part-time body of territorials, patrols some of the hinterland, irregular army units and 80 Arab tribal militias rove the landscape on camel and horseback.
To them can be added the wandering nomads whose dirty white turbans, flowing robes and camel trains could be from a millennium ago, but for their AK-47s. Then there are gun- toting bandits who roam western Sudan and Chad, seeking women and booty.
Finally there is a constellation of armed groups loosely called the rebels. These include the professionally trained insurgents of the Justice and Equality Movement — backed by the now jailed former speaker of Sudan’s parliament, Hassan al-Turabi; the Sudan Liberation Army, believed to be supported by Eritrea; the Federal Democratic Movement, which specialises in murdering policemen; and the so-called “African” tribal militias, one of which calls itself Tora Bora in homage to Osama Bin Laden’s fighters in Afghanistan.
“Outside the major market towns,” said David Hoile, who works as a consultant to the government of Sudan and western companies, “men carry guns as casually as women in Chelmsford would carry handbags.”
Disarming these warring factions may be impossible. If Khartoum dispatches more troops to Darfur, it will be in violation of its ceasefire with the two main rebel groups.
Disarmament would in any case enrage the Janjaweed and the African and Arab tribal militias, who may turn their guns on aid workers and Sudanese soldiers alike, detonating any chance of relief efforts.
Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir, nevertheless issued a decree on June 18 declaring that all groups will be disarmed and that those guilty of human rights abuses will be punished.
Khartoum’s ability to enforce its will is doubtful. Over the 196,404 square miles of Darfur there are only 15 paved roads. The rainy season will soon turn them into mires. Still, some progress is apparent.
At Nyala, in South Darfur, a judge opened the prison gates to reporters last week. Inside the British-built structure, 12 Janjaweed prisoners squatted in the sunlight. The judge explained that they had been convicted of crimes ranging from theft and rape to murder and sentenced to between three and 12 years’ “hard time”.
The governor of North Darfur, Mohammed Kupor, said there was now “a great campaign” by the army, police and intelligence services against the Janjaweed. For the past two weeks these combined forces have staked out water holes, searched with helicopters and even sent camel patrols into the mountains. During that fortnight, the governor said, 400 Janjaweed have been captured.
Yet nobody knows how many thousands are still at large, roaming freely to terrorise the inhabitants of Darfur.
The victims are not hard to find. Abu Shouk, six miles north of El Fasher, is one step away from hell. On hot plains at the edge of the Sahara, 43,000 people live behind a chain link fence guarded by Sudanese soldiers. It is more than 100F by late morning and to survive the heat, the inhabitants need eight litres of water per day. They often do not get it.
The story of one woman at the camp, Hawa Addella Mahmud, 28, is typical of many. Until a year ago she thought she had it all. Her husband was loving and she was pregnant with twins. Then, early in the morning, came the camel-riding Janjaweed. Her husband and neighbours were killed and she walked for 10 days. When she arrived at the camp, her twins were born dead.
At the Sayalabe camp near Nyala in the south, refugees told another story that sounded a lot like ethnic cleansing. On the afternoon of May 22, Janjaweed attacked their village on foot. As a helicopter hovered, more than a dozen gunmen sought out the Africans for murder while sparing the Arabs.
Another refugee, Suakan al-Taher, 17, who is now at a camp near Genina in the west, lost her husband in an attack on their village. All its 63 men were murdered, she said. She fled with her baby.
Last week she rearranged her blue veil to shield her daughter from the sun. Her thoughts were not of Janjaweed or rebel forces, but of survival. “We are suffering for (lack of) food,” she said. “We are cold at night and hot in the day.”
- - -
Darfur's deep grievances defy all hopes for an easy solution
Sunday July 25, 2004 - The Observer:
The world is waking to the human disaster in Sudan. But, argues writer and world authority on the country, Alex de Waal, the crisis is far more complex than some claim - and cannot be resolved by a quick fix.
Darfur, the war-torn province in western Sudan where a terrible humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding, has yet more awful secrets to divulge.
In addition to 1.2 million displaced people living and dying in refugee camps in the region and across the border in neighbouring Chad, there are hundreds of thousands more struggling to survive in their homes in the vast areas held by the rebel movements fighting against the Khartoum government.
They are far from any TV cameras, and far from the comfort of aid agencies. They are surviving as their parents and grandparents did, through hardiness and skill.
They, not us, are the proven experts in surviving famine. Where a foreigner sees a wasteland of sand and mountain, a rural woman sees landscape replete with wild grasses, berries and roots.
The most ubiquitous of these is a berry known as mukheit, which grows on a small bush. It looks like a big pale pea, it's toxic and needs to be soaked in water for three days before it's edible, and even then it tastes sour. But it's nutritious, and it's in season now.
During the drought-famine of 1984-85, perhaps two million people survived on mukheit, often for months. It was a far bigger factor in survival than food aid, and it was common to see women foraging on the remotest hills, children strapped to their backs, gathering this unappetising but life-preserving crop. Then there's difra, a wild grass that grows across the desert-edge plateaux, which can be harvested in August, and up to 80 more species known to every grandmother.
Mukheit keeps adults alive, but it isn't enough for children. During the 1980s famine, infectious diseases and lack of weaning foods killed an estimated 75,000 children. As the world becomes aware of this as-yet-invisible disaster, aid agencies will demand access across the front lines. And those aid convoys will need an international protection force.
The Darfur war erupted early last year, when two armed movements - Sudan Liberation Army and the Justice and Equality Movement - began a rebellion against a government in Khartoum that had neglected their region.
In response, the government mobilised, armed and directed a militia, known as Janjaweed ('rabble' or 'outlaws' in local dialect), using scorched earth, massacre and starvation as cheap counter-insurgency weapons. The UN has described Darfur as 'the world's worst humanitarian crisis'. On Friday, the US Congress described it as 'genocide'. The British government is considering sending in 5,000 troops.
Characterising the Darfur war as 'Arabs' versus 'Africans' obscures the reality. Darfur's Arabs are black, indigenous, African and Muslim - just like Darfur's non-Arabs, who hail from the Fur, Masalit, Zaghawa and a dozen smaller tribes.
Until recently, Darfurians used the term 'Arab' in its ancient sense of 'bedouin'. These Arabic-speaking nomads are distinct from the inheritors of the Arab culture of the Nile and the Fertile Crescent.
'Arabism' in Darfur is a political ideology, recently imported, after Colonel Gadaffi nurtured dreams of an 'Arab belt' across Africa, and recruited Chadian Arabs, Darfurians and west African Tuaregs to spearhead his invasion of Chad in the 1980s. He failed, but the legacy of arms, militia organisation and Arab supremacist ideology lives on.
Many Janjaweed hail from the Chadian Arab groups mobilised during those days. Most of Darfur's Arabs remain uninvolved in the conflict, but racist ideology appeals to many poor and frustrated young men.
Since 1987 there have been recurrent clashes between the Arab militias and village self-defence groups. Their roots were local conflicts over land and water, especially in the wake of droughts, made worse by the absence of an effective police force in the region for 20 years.
The last intertribal conference met in 1989, but its recommendations were never implemented. Year by year, law and order has broken down, and the government has done nothing but play a game of divide-and-rule, usually favouring the better-armed Arabs.
In response, the non-Arab groups (some of them bedouins too - there's a clan related to the Zaghawa that even has the name Bedeyaat) have mobilised, adopting the label 'African', which helps to gain solidarity with the southern-based Sudan People's Liberation Army, and is a ticket to sympathy in the West.
The Darfur conflict erupted just as protracted peace negotiations between Khartoum and the SPLA on an end to the 20-year-old war in southern Sudan entered their final stage. Some observers have speculated that the rebellion was launched because the SPLA won its concessions by dint of armed struggle, thereby encouraging other discontented Sudanese regions to try the same.
There's an element of truth in that, and a danger that the Beja of eastern Sudan will also re-ignite their dormant insurrection. But Darfur has long-standing grievances. Even more than southern Sudan, the province has been neglected. It has the fewest schools and hospitals in the country. Promises of development came to nothing.
Darfurian radicals have long tried to start a liberation war. In 1991, the SPLA sent an armed force to Darfur to foment resistance: it failed, and an entire cadre of leftist leadership was arrested or neutralised as a result. The young SLA leaders have emerged from the shadow of this debacle.
Meanwhile, the Islamic government tried to neutralise complaints of neglect by playing the religion card. Darfur's Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa tribes are well-known for their Muslim piety, and were attracted by the idea of being enfranchised through their Muslim faith. But this proved another hollow promise, and when the Sudanese Islamist movement split four years ago, most Darfurian Islamists went into opposition, some of them forming the JEM.
There is no quick fix in Darfur. But after the first round of mediation by the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a week ago, the elements of a settlement are coming into focus. The first of these is removing obstacles to relief operations. The second is enforcing the ceasefire, agreed by the parties in the Chadian capital of Ndjamena in April, but flouted - far more egregiously by the government and Janjaweed. For hungry villagers, the ceasefire is a survival issue, as their skill at harvesting wild foods has no value if they are confined to camps by fear of rape, mutilation or murder.
The African Union - headed by its energetic leader, the, former Malian President Alpha Konare - has put 24 ceasefire monitors on the ground so far to oversee the Ndjamena agreement. Three hundred African troops are also on their way, to ensure that the monitors can move in safety.
Providing security to civilians will need a far larger and more robust force. Even before the insurrection, Darfur was a province in arms. Every village or nomadic clan possessed automatic weapons - a necessity given that there has been no effective police force there for the past 20 years.
Last month, President Omer al-Bashir promised to disarm the Janjaweed. In doing so, he has put himself in a corner. There's overwhelming evidence, circumstantial and documentary, that Khartoum supplied the militia with arms, logistics and air support. But it doesn't follow that it can so easily rein them in. Darfur cannot be disarmed by force.
The principal Janjaweed camps can be identified and the militiamen cantonised there. This demands a tough surveillance regime, overseen by international forces. But the armed Bedouin cannot be encamped: they rely on their herds for livelihood and hence need to move, and they are too numerous and scattered to disarm. In fact, 'disarmament' is a misnomer. What will work is community-based regulation of armaments, gradually squeezing out bandits and criminals.
What to do with the Chadian Arabs will be one tricky issue. Another will be the fact that all Darfurians - Arab and non-Arab alike - profoundly distrust a government in Khartoum that has brought them nothing but trouble. Arms control can be made to work only when the scaffolding of a provincial administration and political settlement is in place.
Another issue is human rights: investigating claims of genocide and who's responsible. This issue is best parked with an international commission - perhaps a special investigator from the International Criminal Court.
A political solution can be framed as these immediate issues are tackled. At the moment the sides are far apart, their public language one of mutual recrimination.
In theory, a settlement of Darfur's provincial issues should not be too difficult. The rebels - who drop their simplistic 'African' versus 'Arab' terminology as soon as they get into details - have no desire to purge Darfur of its indigenous black Arabs.
They do not seek self-determination or separation. Their demands, for equitable development, land rights, schools and clinics, and local democracy are perfectly reasonable. Formulae for provincial autonomy are also negotiable.
The national issues are more difficult. Settling Darfur's grievances will mean revisiting many of the Naivasha formulae, which were drafted on a simplified north-south dichotomy. For example, senior government jobs have been divided between the ruling Congress Party and the SPLA: who is going to make concessions to allow Darfur its fair share?
Nonetheless, the Darfur process can be speeded up by implementing the Naivasha agreement and bringing SPLA leader John Garang to Khartoum as vice president. Garang aspires to represent a coalition of all Sudan's non-Arab peoples, including Darfurians, and it will be politically impossible for him to endorse a war in Darfur.
The African Union, with UN support, is applying lessons learned from the Naivasha negotiation. If this is to work, the US, Britain and the EU will need to use their leverage in support of the AU formula. The next meeting is scheduled for a month's time.
The immediate life and death needs of Darfur's people cannot wait for these negotiations to mature. A British brigade could make a formidable difference to the situation. It could escort aid supplies into rebel-held areas, and provide aerial surveillance, logistics and back-up to ceasefire monitoring, helping to give Darfurian villagers the confidence to return to their homes and pick up their lives.
Alex de Waal is director of Justice Africa (London). An updated version of his book, Famine that Kills: Darfur, Sudan, 1984-5, is published by Oxford University Press this autumn.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/25/2004
- - -
DARFUR REBELS CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL TROOPS
To combat Darfur's humanitarian crisis
My question to readers re below excerpt: Surely, the more hands there are on deck - to help get aid to those in most need - the more chance there is of saving the lives of hundreds of thousands Sudanese people. Why do you think government of Sudan has been saying no? Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions - no matter how scrappy - would be appreciated via comments or email. Thanks.
July 25 - EU report excerpt: "A rebel movement in strife-torn Darfur called Sunday for a rapid deployment of international troops to combat the humanitarian crisis in the western Sudanese region.
"We are asking the United States, the United Nations secretary general, the European Union and the African Union for the urgent deployment of troops in the coming days to ensure the delivery of food aid to millions of refugees," rebel spokesman Abdel Wahed Mohammed Nur told AFP.
Contacted by telephone, the spokesman of the Sudan Liberation Armyadded that the intervention would "avert a humanitarian disaster of great proportions".
But Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail, speaking to BBC television on Sunday, questioned the need for foreign troops in the vast region, saying his government was doing all it could to disarm Arab militias.
"Why should we have to rush and to talk about military intervention as long as the situation is getting better?" Ismail asked. "My government is doing what can be done in order to disarm the militia."
In Khartoum, the ruling National Congress (NC) party took opposition to foreign intervention a step further, with a threat to use force to counter it, a press report said Sunday.
"Anybody who contemplates imposing his opinion by force will be confronted by force," NC secretary general Ibrahim Ahmed Omar said, quoted by the official Al-Anbaa daily."
DARFUR REBELS CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL TROOPS
To combat Darfur's humanitarian crisis
My question to readers re below excerpt: Surely, the more hands there are on deck - to help get aid to those in most need - the more chance there is of saving the lives of hundreds of thousands Sudanese people. Why do you think government of Sudan has been saying no? Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions - no matter how scrappy - would be appreciated via comments or email. Thanks.
July 25 - EU report excerpt: "A rebel movement in strife-torn Darfur called Sunday for a rapid deployment of international troops to combat the humanitarian crisis in the western Sudanese region.
"We are asking the United States, the United Nations secretary general, the European Union and the African Union for the urgent deployment of troops in the coming days to ensure the delivery of food aid to millions of refugees," rebel spokesman Abdel Wahed Mohammed Nur told AFP.
Contacted by telephone, the spokesman of the Sudan Liberation Armyadded that the intervention would "avert a humanitarian disaster of great proportions".
But Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail, speaking to BBC television on Sunday, questioned the need for foreign troops in the vast region, saying his government was doing all it could to disarm Arab militias.
"Why should we have to rush and to talk about military intervention as long as the situation is getting better?" Ismail asked. "My government is doing what can be done in order to disarm the militia."
In Khartoum, the ruling National Congress (NC) party took opposition to foreign intervention a step further, with a threat to use force to counter it, a press report said Sunday.
"Anybody who contemplates imposing his opinion by force will be confronted by force," NC secretary general Ibrahim Ahmed Omar said, quoted by the official Al-Anbaa daily."
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/25/2004
- - -
OPERATION SAFARI LEAVES FOR SUDAN
Advance party of UN's high readiness brigade
July 25 - Canadian report excerpt:
"Two Canadian soldiers depart with advance team on UN peacekeeping mission to Sudan. The first Canadian soldiers have headed off to Sudan on Operation Safari, a UN peacekeeping mission to the strife-torn north African nation. But only two Canadians will be joining the advance party of the UN's high-readiness brigade: Major James Simiana, a public affairs officer, and Warrant Officer Robert Moug, a staff officer.
Although thousands of troops may follow them to Sudan to avert a humanitarian disaster and to separate warring Arab militias from southern rebels, only about six Canadian soldiers can be spared for the mission. Brigadier-General Greg Mitchell, a Canadian, commands the UN force, but the Canadian army had to scrap plans to contribute about 1,000 troops because of budget cuts. The advance party is being formed at the request of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, with the full peacekeeping force to follow once a peace accord is reached."
[via mostly AFRICA]
- - -
Note: Seems Operation Safari is the advance party connected with the ceasefire observers mission. The ceasefire mission is already in Sudan observing the ceasefire agreement signed early April 2004 re conflict in South Sudan. Darfur is in West Sudan - a separate conflict.
Anytime now a U.N. human rights delegation is arriving in Sudan to monitor conditions in Darfur. Soon, we should be hearing reports of the AU-led 270 armed troops arriving in Sudan to protect the 60-120 (reports vary on numbers) monitors already there. The AU troops are EU supported and funded. It took three days of arm twisting the GoS at the AU summit to get GoS permission for the AU mission into Sudan. They will be the first foreign troops to set foot on Sudanese soil. Khartoum must be getting nervous at the prospect of armed troops becoming a reality.
The controversy over the 270 AU-led troops is their mandate as they're supposed to protect the UN observers only - but it's been made clear to the GoS by the AU that the troops will not fold their arms if refugees etc., are attacked. So, really they are there to protect the observers, refugees, aid and aid workers - much to the dismay of GoS who argued it is GoS responsibility to protect their people (like Jim Moore says, you can't make this stuff up).
So, in short, this week the heat has been turned up full - position of GoS must be weakening - and they know it. It will be interesting to see how quickly the situation will change on and after July 31st - which I believe was the deadline Colin Powell gave to Bashir when they met in Khartoum last month.
A report today says GoS forces have moved 90,000 refugees back into Darfur - all this new activity could be to do with the arrival of the U.N. human rights delegation, Operation Safari advance party and the AU-led forces.
The EU has told Khartoum straight: what needs to happen next - without further delay - is for Khartoum to give the order to arrest and disarm the Arab militia leaders.
What I cannot understand is why the refugees do not have enough food and water. I cannot find any proper reporting and accountability. Seems one person: Jan Egeland is the UN spokesperson on aid - and he is the coordinator of aid (he's not going to criticise himself is he? Why isn't anyone shouting about the food and water - why is the aid still not reaching those who need it most? I don't get it. Why aren't people asking these questions and getting proper answers from Kofi Annan?
They are all seem so secretive. I noticed there was a person from Oxfam giving a talk at Harvard - and they asked for their comments and talk to be off the record and not to be recorded. Everyone else who contributed to the discussion was recorded. But not Oxfam.
Why are all these human rights orgs and activisits and goodness knows how many other agencies spending hours and weeks and months nit picking over words and talk, discussions, meetings and musing over the meaning of ethnic cleansing and genocide when every minute counts in getting food, water, shelter and medicine to those who need it the most in Sudan? Three months ago Jim Moore said time is critical and hours matter ... And yet, go read the story below, written by Hilary Andersson in Darfur (part of a BBC crew filming) what have the aid agencies achieved over the past three months? What's happened to all the plane loads of aid that has been flown into Darfur? Who is picking up 1,400 tons of aid that was being air dropped into Darfur by WFP this week - who is there to pick it up and distribute it? Why are there no reports? Why aren't journalists asking and answering these questions? What is going on??!!
OPERATION SAFARI LEAVES FOR SUDAN
Advance party of UN's high readiness brigade
July 25 - Canadian report excerpt:
"Two Canadian soldiers depart with advance team on UN peacekeeping mission to Sudan. The first Canadian soldiers have headed off to Sudan on Operation Safari, a UN peacekeeping mission to the strife-torn north African nation. But only two Canadians will be joining the advance party of the UN's high-readiness brigade: Major James Simiana, a public affairs officer, and Warrant Officer Robert Moug, a staff officer.
Although thousands of troops may follow them to Sudan to avert a humanitarian disaster and to separate warring Arab militias from southern rebels, only about six Canadian soldiers can be spared for the mission. Brigadier-General Greg Mitchell, a Canadian, commands the UN force, but the Canadian army had to scrap plans to contribute about 1,000 troops because of budget cuts. The advance party is being formed at the request of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, with the full peacekeeping force to follow once a peace accord is reached."
[via mostly AFRICA]
- - -
Note: Seems Operation Safari is the advance party connected with the ceasefire observers mission. The ceasefire mission is already in Sudan observing the ceasefire agreement signed early April 2004 re conflict in South Sudan. Darfur is in West Sudan - a separate conflict.
Anytime now a U.N. human rights delegation is arriving in Sudan to monitor conditions in Darfur. Soon, we should be hearing reports of the AU-led 270 armed troops arriving in Sudan to protect the 60-120 (reports vary on numbers) monitors already there. The AU troops are EU supported and funded. It took three days of arm twisting the GoS at the AU summit to get GoS permission for the AU mission into Sudan. They will be the first foreign troops to set foot on Sudanese soil. Khartoum must be getting nervous at the prospect of armed troops becoming a reality.
The controversy over the 270 AU-led troops is their mandate as they're supposed to protect the UN observers only - but it's been made clear to the GoS by the AU that the troops will not fold their arms if refugees etc., are attacked. So, really they are there to protect the observers, refugees, aid and aid workers - much to the dismay of GoS who argued it is GoS responsibility to protect their people (like Jim Moore says, you can't make this stuff up).
So, in short, this week the heat has been turned up full - position of GoS must be weakening - and they know it. It will be interesting to see how quickly the situation will change on and after July 31st - which I believe was the deadline Colin Powell gave to Bashir when they met in Khartoum last month.
A report today says GoS forces have moved 90,000 refugees back into Darfur - all this new activity could be to do with the arrival of the U.N. human rights delegation, Operation Safari advance party and the AU-led forces.
The EU has told Khartoum straight: what needs to happen next - without further delay - is for Khartoum to give the order to arrest and disarm the Arab militia leaders.
What I cannot understand is why the refugees do not have enough food and water. I cannot find any proper reporting and accountability. Seems one person: Jan Egeland is the UN spokesperson on aid - and he is the coordinator of aid (he's not going to criticise himself is he? Why isn't anyone shouting about the food and water - why is the aid still not reaching those who need it most? I don't get it. Why aren't people asking these questions and getting proper answers from Kofi Annan?
They are all seem so secretive. I noticed there was a person from Oxfam giving a talk at Harvard - and they asked for their comments and talk to be off the record and not to be recorded. Everyone else who contributed to the discussion was recorded. But not Oxfam.
Why are all these human rights orgs and activisits and goodness knows how many other agencies spending hours and weeks and months nit picking over words and talk, discussions, meetings and musing over the meaning of ethnic cleansing and genocide when every minute counts in getting food, water, shelter and medicine to those who need it the most in Sudan? Three months ago Jim Moore said time is critical and hours matter ... And yet, go read the story below, written by Hilary Andersson in Darfur (part of a BBC crew filming) what have the aid agencies achieved over the past three months? What's happened to all the plane loads of aid that has been flown into Darfur? Who is picking up 1,400 tons of aid that was being air dropped into Darfur by WFP this week - who is there to pick it up and distribute it? Why are there no reports? Why aren't journalists asking and answering these questions? What is going on??!!
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/25/2004
Saturday, July 24, 2004
A DAY IN THE LIFE
Of a BBC correspondent in Darfur
Did you know that when you send a letter to your political representative, it is classed as representing the views of one hundred people?
No, I didn't know that either. A friend who was visiting me here on Wednesday told me. Seems our political representatives do welcome evidence of public opinion on any issue.
As there's been opposition to sending troops to Iraq, they need to know that they have our support in sending troops to Sudan. So, now they are faced with considering courses of action to take on Sudan, please make your voice count.
This post serves as a reminder that what I've written about here for three solid months on Darfur is real. Please spare the few minutes it will take to read it - and imagine being the eyes and ears of the author ...
The following entry was written by BBC correspondent Hilary Andersson, on the ground in Sudan, and appeared online today:
I'm sitting in the dark on the edge of a camp for displaced people in Darfur. I can hear the loud, persistent crying of one child rising above the murmur of the camp as the people settle down for the night.
Tonight the stars are out - that means no rain. Last night was not like this at all.
You can see it coming in the afternoons. The sky begins to darken and the horizon goes an ominous, brown shade of yellow.
Then the wind starts and the dust of the Sahara desert whips up, blasting whirling sands in all directions. The people start to run in their long rags, heads bowed against the wind.
Then, the heavens simply open, the wind ferociously hurls drenching curtains of water at everything around.
Mothers with their children, whose faces are twisted up in misery, squat grasping the sides of their makeshift shelters - which do almost nothing to keep them dry.
The torn plastic bags that make up the walls of their twig shelters flap madly in the wind. The ground turns into a mire of mud.
My TV crew and I run for our shelter 15m (50ft) away. All night, the rain pounds against our ceiling. I wake up at 0300 - it is still going on.
The people on the other side of our wall are still sitting, bracing themselves against the wind and rain, where they were at dusk. This is what it is like most nights for them.
In the morning we wake up to hear the children crying. In the makeshift hospital here, set up by foreign aid workers, it is so crowded with the sick that some are sleeping on the floors.
Among the stench and flies, the children lie wasted, staring into space. Tiny human beings, who were born into the madness of man's inhumanity to man, into the madness of a spate of killing that has left many of their fathers, brothers, grandparents and uncles dead.
And now, they face starvation which is cruel and slow. Most of the children are too far gone to eat. Some have the peeling skin and lesions that come with advanced starvation - their skin is wrinkled, loose around their bones. The mothers sit by powerless.
We spent two weeks in Darfur, driving through eerie, burnt-out villages, empty of people.
We travelled to Mornay camp, where we were a month ago. On arriving back, we went to the medical tent. It was strangely quiet inside.
Four people were sitting in a circle. A mother was looking down and sobbing silently, rubbing her hands on her face. I realised I knew her. Then it slowly came to me what was going on. Her daughter Nadia, whom we had spent two days with in this tent a month ago, was dying.
The mother, Juma, was saying an awful goodbye.
We moved away in their private moment. Ten minutes later Nadia was dead.
The men took her body away to prepare for the burial. Then they emerged at the far end of the graveyard, carrying her tiny body in their hands. They said their prayers and laid her body in the earth.
Juma, her mother, sat on the ground. She wasn't crying any more.
After the funeral I went to pay my respects. Juma had two older women next to her who, perhaps through custom, were telling her to hold her emotions in.
But when she saw me, perhaps remembering the filming we did with Nadia last month, she started screaming "Nadia, Nadia, Nadia".
She fell on me, screaming, she kept screaming. She kept repeating her daughter's name. Then the older women started screaming too.
When Juma left the graveyard I saw her walking away on her own, sobbing and crying her child's name out into the breeze of the vast desert, into the nothingness of the camp.
Donkeys, half starved themselves, moved around slowly. Refugees continued collecting water and fixing their huts. This happens here every day.
Darfur is in a nightmare that is alive here today and perhaps somewhere else tomorrow. Racial and tribal tensions, and regional disquiet, have erupted into a war where the civilians are being punished, killed and abused.
We are adults, this is the world we live in and accept. The world we have created for ourselves.
Will these things still happen in Africa a century from now? Will it ever change? Why are massacres of civilians allowed to happen in Sudan? Why has no-one even counted the dead?
Money is needed desperately now to save lives. But it has gone this far in Darfur, because no-one really noticed or did anything to stop it. Nadia did not have to die at all.
- - -
Photo - A malnourished Sudanese refugee child is seen on June 23, 2004 at a feeding center in Iriba Town in Chad. Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived in Sudan on June 29 demanding the government crack down on Arab militias whose actions he said approached genocide against African villagers in western Darfur. (Arnold Temple/Reuters)
Of a BBC correspondent in Darfur
Did you know that when you send a letter to your political representative, it is classed as representing the views of one hundred people?
No, I didn't know that either. A friend who was visiting me here on Wednesday told me. Seems our political representatives do welcome evidence of public opinion on any issue.
As there's been opposition to sending troops to Iraq, they need to know that they have our support in sending troops to Sudan. So, now they are faced with considering courses of action to take on Sudan, please make your voice count.
This post serves as a reminder that what I've written about here for three solid months on Darfur is real. Please spare the few minutes it will take to read it - and imagine being the eyes and ears of the author ...
The following entry was written by BBC correspondent Hilary Andersson, on the ground in Sudan, and appeared online today:
I'm sitting in the dark on the edge of a camp for displaced people in Darfur. I can hear the loud, persistent crying of one child rising above the murmur of the camp as the people settle down for the night.
Tonight the stars are out - that means no rain. Last night was not like this at all.
You can see it coming in the afternoons. The sky begins to darken and the horizon goes an ominous, brown shade of yellow.
Then the wind starts and the dust of the Sahara desert whips up, blasting whirling sands in all directions. The people start to run in their long rags, heads bowed against the wind.
Then, the heavens simply open, the wind ferociously hurls drenching curtains of water at everything around.
Mothers with their children, whose faces are twisted up in misery, squat grasping the sides of their makeshift shelters - which do almost nothing to keep them dry.
The torn plastic bags that make up the walls of their twig shelters flap madly in the wind. The ground turns into a mire of mud.
My TV crew and I run for our shelter 15m (50ft) away. All night, the rain pounds against our ceiling. I wake up at 0300 - it is still going on.
The people on the other side of our wall are still sitting, bracing themselves against the wind and rain, where they were at dusk. This is what it is like most nights for them.
In the morning we wake up to hear the children crying. In the makeshift hospital here, set up by foreign aid workers, it is so crowded with the sick that some are sleeping on the floors.
Among the stench and flies, the children lie wasted, staring into space. Tiny human beings, who were born into the madness of man's inhumanity to man, into the madness of a spate of killing that has left many of their fathers, brothers, grandparents and uncles dead.
And now, they face starvation which is cruel and slow. Most of the children are too far gone to eat. Some have the peeling skin and lesions that come with advanced starvation - their skin is wrinkled, loose around their bones. The mothers sit by powerless.
We spent two weeks in Darfur, driving through eerie, burnt-out villages, empty of people.
We travelled to Mornay camp, where we were a month ago. On arriving back, we went to the medical tent. It was strangely quiet inside.
Four people were sitting in a circle. A mother was looking down and sobbing silently, rubbing her hands on her face. I realised I knew her. Then it slowly came to me what was going on. Her daughter Nadia, whom we had spent two days with in this tent a month ago, was dying.
The mother, Juma, was saying an awful goodbye.
We moved away in their private moment. Ten minutes later Nadia was dead.
The men took her body away to prepare for the burial. Then they emerged at the far end of the graveyard, carrying her tiny body in their hands. They said their prayers and laid her body in the earth.
Juma, her mother, sat on the ground. She wasn't crying any more.
After the funeral I went to pay my respects. Juma had two older women next to her who, perhaps through custom, were telling her to hold her emotions in.
But when she saw me, perhaps remembering the filming we did with Nadia last month, she started screaming "Nadia, Nadia, Nadia".
She fell on me, screaming, she kept screaming. She kept repeating her daughter's name. Then the older women started screaming too.
When Juma left the graveyard I saw her walking away on her own, sobbing and crying her child's name out into the breeze of the vast desert, into the nothingness of the camp.
Donkeys, half starved themselves, moved around slowly. Refugees continued collecting water and fixing their huts. This happens here every day.
Darfur is in a nightmare that is alive here today and perhaps somewhere else tomorrow. Racial and tribal tensions, and regional disquiet, have erupted into a war where the civilians are being punished, killed and abused.
We are adults, this is the world we live in and accept. The world we have created for ourselves.
Will these things still happen in Africa a century from now? Will it ever change? Why are massacres of civilians allowed to happen in Sudan? Why has no-one even counted the dead?
Money is needed desperately now to save lives. But it has gone this far in Darfur, because no-one really noticed or did anything to stop it. Nadia did not have to die at all.
- - -
Photo - A malnourished Sudanese refugee child is seen on June 23, 2004 at a feeding center in Iriba Town in Chad. Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived in Sudan on June 29 demanding the government crack down on Arab militias whose actions he said approached genocide against African villagers in western Darfur. (Arnold Temple/Reuters)
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/24/2004
- - -
U.N. TROOPS IN DARFUR BY DECEMBER
U.N. advance force within next few months
The United Nations (UN) are gathering troops to go into Sudan.
Looks like a UN force is expected to be in Darfur by the year's end.
And a UN advance force will be "inserted" within the next few months.
I've found no report yet that confirms the whereabouts of the African Union (AU) led force of 270 armed troops that were approved, funded and supported by the European Union. They are being sent in to protect the AU observer mission of 60-120 personnel, currently on the ground in Sudan observing the ceasefire agreements. My guess is that their presence will be made known in Sudan on or after July 31st.
On Monday the British are pushing for EU support to add on to the above AU-led force by providing back-up that could include British personnel who have military expertise. I wouldn't be surprised if our lot were already out there, via that Oxfam aid plane that left Kent yesterday for Darfur ... heh only joking - wishful thinking.
U.N. TROOPS IN DARFUR BY DECEMBER
U.N. advance force within next few months
The United Nations (UN) are gathering troops to go into Sudan.
Looks like a UN force is expected to be in Darfur by the year's end.
And a UN advance force will be "inserted" within the next few months.
I've found no report yet that confirms the whereabouts of the African Union (AU) led force of 270 armed troops that were approved, funded and supported by the European Union. They are being sent in to protect the AU observer mission of 60-120 personnel, currently on the ground in Sudan observing the ceasefire agreements. My guess is that their presence will be made known in Sudan on or after July 31st.
On Monday the British are pushing for EU support to add on to the above AU-led force by providing back-up that could include British personnel who have military expertise. I wouldn't be surprised if our lot were already out there, via that Oxfam aid plane that left Kent yesterday for Darfur ... heh only joking - wishful thinking.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/24/2004
- - -
AUSTRALIA CONSIDERS UN REQUEST FOR TROOPS
To join U.N. force into Darfur, Sudan
Australia is considering a United Nations' request for troops to join a mission to Darfur. Australia's Defence Minister Robert Hill said the UN had approached Australia for a contribution to the UN force, which was expected to be in place by year's end.
"The UN has pointed out a number of areas of specialty where they would appreciate assistance. We are looking at that, together with all our other obligations at the moment," he said.
Mr Hill gave no indication of the size of the deployment Australia was considering but said the specialist troops of most interest to the UN included engineers and medics. "They have got plenty of infantry offered, as usual it is more the technical support areas that they are struggling with," he told reporters.
"The force itself is still being fashioned and final decisions in relation to the force itself haven't been taken."
He said Australia was able to consider a commitment because of scaled down operations in East Timor and the Solomon Islands.
Hill said he believed the UN would insert an advance force within the next few months.
- - -
BRITISH TROOPS 'READY' FOR SUDAN
Says head of the British Army
July 24: "If need be, we will be able to go to Sudan," said General Sir Michael Jackson, head of the British army. "I suspect we could put a brigade together very quickly indeed." Asked how many troops that would entail, he replied: "Five thousand."
- - -
EU URGES ARREST OF JANJAWEED LEADERS
As a first significant step towards dismantling militias
Sudanese Foreign Minister Ismail responded to the above report in the Guardian newspaper by saying that Khartoum would withdraw government troops from the region if Britain sent forces in.
Seems Ismail better pipe down and get on with the job of arresting the Janjaweed leaders or he will be the one withdrawing himself from the region if the Brits and Aussies send forces in. He sure gets around and does a lot of chin wagging and wining and dining while tens of thousands of Sudanese that his government is responsible for, are starving to death.
Yesterday, Ismail had a late night meeting in Brussels with Javier Solana. Mr Solana is the EU's top diplomat. Bet he is a real smoothie with a first rate command of the spoken word. If Ismail doesn't listen to him, Khartoum won't *get it* - ever.
Mr Solana "strongly urged" Sudan to arrest the leaders of the Janjaweed *without delay*, as a first significant step towards the dismantling of these militias, which are held accountable for most of the human rights violations.
Earlier this month, EU foreign ministers threatened unspecified "measures" against Khartoum if it failed to act against the Dafur crisis. The issue is set to debated on Monday when the ministers meet again in Brussels.
- - -
Over the past few months, I have seen reports that Denmark and Germany would be willing to send troops as part of a UN force into Sudan if necessary. Right now it would appear the UN is calling its member states to see who is willing to contribute troops. I've read somewhere that the French and Americans have troops in surrounding areas that could be deployed. More later.
AUSTRALIA CONSIDERS UN REQUEST FOR TROOPS
To join U.N. force into Darfur, Sudan
Australia is considering a United Nations' request for troops to join a mission to Darfur. Australia's Defence Minister Robert Hill said the UN had approached Australia for a contribution to the UN force, which was expected to be in place by year's end.
"The UN has pointed out a number of areas of specialty where they would appreciate assistance. We are looking at that, together with all our other obligations at the moment," he said.
Mr Hill gave no indication of the size of the deployment Australia was considering but said the specialist troops of most interest to the UN included engineers and medics. "They have got plenty of infantry offered, as usual it is more the technical support areas that they are struggling with," he told reporters.
"The force itself is still being fashioned and final decisions in relation to the force itself haven't been taken."
He said Australia was able to consider a commitment because of scaled down operations in East Timor and the Solomon Islands.
Hill said he believed the UN would insert an advance force within the next few months.
- - -
BRITISH TROOPS 'READY' FOR SUDAN
Says head of the British Army
July 24: "If need be, we will be able to go to Sudan," said General Sir Michael Jackson, head of the British army. "I suspect we could put a brigade together very quickly indeed." Asked how many troops that would entail, he replied: "Five thousand."
- - -
EU URGES ARREST OF JANJAWEED LEADERS
As a first significant step towards dismantling militias
Sudanese Foreign Minister Ismail responded to the above report in the Guardian newspaper by saying that Khartoum would withdraw government troops from the region if Britain sent forces in.
Seems Ismail better pipe down and get on with the job of arresting the Janjaweed leaders or he will be the one withdrawing himself from the region if the Brits and Aussies send forces in. He sure gets around and does a lot of chin wagging and wining and dining while tens of thousands of Sudanese that his government is responsible for, are starving to death.
Yesterday, Ismail had a late night meeting in Brussels with Javier Solana. Mr Solana is the EU's top diplomat. Bet he is a real smoothie with a first rate command of the spoken word. If Ismail doesn't listen to him, Khartoum won't *get it* - ever.
Mr Solana "strongly urged" Sudan to arrest the leaders of the Janjaweed *without delay*, as a first significant step towards the dismantling of these militias, which are held accountable for most of the human rights violations.
Earlier this month, EU foreign ministers threatened unspecified "measures" against Khartoum if it failed to act against the Dafur crisis. The issue is set to debated on Monday when the ministers meet again in Brussels.
- - -
Over the past few months, I have seen reports that Denmark and Germany would be willing to send troops as part of a UN force into Sudan if necessary. Right now it would appear the UN is calling its member states to see who is willing to contribute troops. I've read somewhere that the French and Americans have troops in surrounding areas that could be deployed. More later.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/24/2004
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/24/2004
- - -
KHARTOUM ADMIT THEY CAN'T CONTROL ARAB OUTLAWS
2m Sudanese are in desperate need of aid
Have 10,000 people from Darfur have been exterminated? Or is the figure 30,000? Have one million been driven from Darfur? Or is the number two million? Have 20,000 fled over the border to the neighbouring country of Chad? Or is it 200,000?
Reports vary on the number of people that have been eliminated from Darfur. The Financial Times seemed to get it right in its report that Arab militia in Sudan have killed up to 30,000 and left 2m in desperate need of aid. But today UN emergency relief coordinator Jan Egeland says the Darfur death toll is at least 30,000 and could be high as 50,000.
Last month, at a meeting in Khartoum, Sudan's President Bashir promised US Defence Secretary Colin Powell and UN General Secretary Kofi Annan to: (1) try the Arab militia leaders believed to be responsible for atrocities; (2) disarm the militia groups; (3) grant freedom of movement to aid workers.
If by the end of this month, the security situation did not improve, President Bashir agreed that Sudan would have to accept the international community's offer of help to get food and aid safely to Sudanese refugees.
The United Nations (191 sovereign member states including U.S. and U.K.), European Union (25 European countries, including U.K.), African Union (53 African nations) and the United States of America now know that no progress whatsoever has been made by the government of Sudan (GoS) in Khartoum.
Despite the past two months of intense political pressure on GoS and the huge amount of aid and diplomatic effort given by the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Kuwait, Libya - the aid and help is still not reaching all of those who need it most.
Aid workers are still being attacked, supplies are being looted, rains are making huge areas impassable, disease is spreading and the killings continue. Even the GoS admitted it cannot disarm the Arab militias that have been running amok for the past ten years.
How can GoS ever provide unimpeded access for aid to safely reach the Sudanese refugees? They can't. Even though the lives of hundreds and thousands of their citizens are at stake, the GoS are rejecting offers of outside help. Why?
The only reason I can come up with is that the GoS cannot see things the way we do. They come from such a different mindset and culture and are a hundred years or more behind us in comprehending human rights.
Well, they need to learn the error of their ways - or else.
Or else -- what? Well, here's the deal and message for GoS in Khartoum: "If you don't listen up and learn pdq, we Brits will come back and sort you out. You've had nearly fifty years to sort yourselves out since we left. Clearly you, and all those before you, can't do it. You'll not get away with threatening us. We weren't an Empire for nothing. So stick that up your flea bitten camel backsides and listen up. Or else -- you're toast.
- - -
BRITAIN IS LEADING FIGHT TO STOP SUDAN CRISIS
EU support for AU mission to include British personnel with military expertise
July 23: UK aid planes left for Darfur.
Prime Minister Tony Blair confirmed he is considering sending troops to Sudan to help distribute aid, lend logistical support to an African Union (AU) protection force to protect refugee camps from marauding militias.
"We rule nothing out, but we are not at that stage yet," Blair told reporters in London. He said the "critical thing", in the short-term, was to try and make the current international strategy work, adding "we want the European Union to make a far bigger commitment on this."
"We have a moral responsibility to deal with this and to deal with it by any means that we can," he told reporters at Downing Street. But he said the first step was to increase diplomatic pressure on the Sudanese government and he stressed the need to work by consensus with African governments through the African Union.
Mr Blair left little doubt about his willingness to consider his sixth overseas military intervention since 1997. He has described the state of Africa as a "scar on the conscience of the world", while the genocide in Rwanda inspired his doctrine of putting humanitarian intervention above state sovereignty.
Britain has been pressing for a United Nations Security Council resolution setting a deadline for the Sudanese government to control the militia and open up access for aid agencies.
Mr Blair held talks last night with Kofi Annan, the United Nations secretary general, about providing assistance for monitoring a ceasefire.
- - -
UK International Development Secretary Mr Hilary Benn said Britain is leading attempts to stop government-backed militias in Sudan from continuing their campaign of murder, rape and terror.
He also confirmed that Britain, the largest cash donor, is heading attempts in the U.N. to force the Sudanese government to take action. "The UK has done as much, if not more, than any other nation in the world" he said.
Mr Benn's comments came as the charity Oxfam prepared to send a third aid flight to Sudan from Manston airport in Kent. The flight carrying 30 tons of water and £90,000 worth of sanitation equipment left at 7pm yesterday.
- - -
UK FOREIGN SECRETARY TO VISIT SUDAN
UK pushes EU for "joint civilian military team" as backup for AU mission
July 23: UK Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw Friday said: "The Sudan army is at best passive and at worst complicit in these attacks".
Mr Straw is set to visit Sudan, and possibly Darfur, next month and will talk with EU foreign ministers on Monday as he's pushing EU members to take action on Sudan that includes sending a "joint civilian military team".
As he said it would not be a British military operation and would not be a fighting force, my guess is, given that 270 armed troops (led by the AU and funded by the EU) are about to become the first foreign troops to set foot on Sudanese soil anyway, Mr Straw is pushing the EU to support a "back-up" for the mission to include British personnel with military expertise.
July 23: U.K. Liberal Democrats have called for Britain to lead an EU military force dealing with the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
Lib Dem spokesman Sir Menzies Campbell said this diplomatic work was not working. "It is becoming increasingly clear that food aid and pressure on the Sudanese government alone will not be sufficient to stem the impending disaster in Darfur," he wrote to Straw yesterday. "An EU military force operating under a UN mandate looks like the only answer if we are to prevent a disaster on the scale of Rwanda a decade ago. "With US and British forces stretched to breaking point, countries such as France and Germany have the opportunity to make a significant contribution. But Britain too must also contribute to any such force so far as it can.
July 23: Plaid MP backs task force for Sudan crisis - Adam Price has broken with his party's anti-war ethos to urge the deployment of troops to Sudan. If British troops, backed by a United Nations resolution, were sent in to Sudan, Mr Price promised to support the action. It would be the first time a Plaid Cymru MP backed military action by Britain since the no-fly zones were first established in Iraq in 1983.
The Conservatives have said there is a "good case" for military action.
Yay for Britain.
- - -
BRITAIN COULD SEND 5,000 TROOPS TO SUDAN
The head of the British Army has said
July 23: British Army 'ready' to help in Sudan says ic Wales, UK:
Britain could send 5,000 troops to Sudan to intervene in the humanitarian crisis, the head of the Army has said. The Chief of General Staff, General Sir Mike Jackson, said the Army would be ready if called upon.
He said a brigade of 5,000 soldiers could be ready and fully equipped if the Government decided to send troops in. In an interview to be shown on BBC News 24's HARDtalk, General Sir Mike said: "If need be we will be able to go to Sudan. I suspect we could put a brigade together very quickly indeed."
Asked how many troops that would entail, he replied: "Five thousand."
Yay for the British Army :)
Update -
July 24: BBC: UK troops 'ready to go to Sudan'
July 24: Guardian: UK could send troops to Sudan 'quickly'
- - -
SUDAN WARNS U.K. and U.S.
Not to interfere in Darfur
Sudan had the cheek to warn Britain and the United States not to interfere in Darfur after UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said he had not ruled out military aid to help combat the crisis in Darfur.
It is my view that, by issuing the following four statements on Friday, the GoS has sealed its own fate:
(1) "We don't need any (UN) resolutions. Any resolutions from the Security Council will complicate things," said Sudan's Foreign Minister Ismail, who likened U.S. and British pressure as similar to that put on Iraq before the war.
(2) In an interview with the BBC, Sudanese Interior Minister Hussein denied there had been massacres in Darfur. "Disarming the militias is a long process that required patience," he said.
(3) "I don't understand why Britain and the United States are systematically increasing pressure against us," Sudanese Foreign Minister Ismail said yesterday on a visit to Paris." (This) pressure closely resembles the increased pressure that was put on Iraq (before the war)," he said.
(4) Sudanese Foreign Minister Ismail, in Paris this week for talks with French Foreign Minister Barnier, when asked to comment on the report that the UK was considering sending troops to help with the aid, said Khartoum would withdraw its forces from the region if British troops were to be deployed, adding: "We will give him the chance if he can give security to Darfur." "The Janjaweed are a gang of faithless thieves and assassins, who have operated outside the law for some 10 years and who are taking advantage of a state of war," the Sudanese minister told reporters.
Given that Mr Ismail does not understand the reasons why Britain and the United States (the two largest donors of aid relief to Sudan) are pressuring Khartoum for the aid to safely reach the refugees, goes to show their little, if any, understanding of human rights. And of how the Western world thinks and operates.
Clearly, the present regime in Khartoum is not fit to govern. There is enough evidence to prove they can never be trusted to do right by its people. They are no better than the lawlords, outlaws and bandits that they allow to roam Sudan and rule regions by intimidation while make a living from theft and looting.
Sudan has had nearly fifty years of independence since the British left. During most of that time, the Sudanese have endured constant war. Sudan needs help in getting its Peace Accord sorted to give a united "New Sudan" every chance to live and trade in peace.
My conclusion is that the present regime will never be fit to govern and must be removed, sooner or later. Preferably sooner.
Who could act as an interim government? I don't know. Could Darfur come under the protection of the U.N. and be made into a Peace Zone where the refugees could return to and farm while the Peace Accord is being sorted for a united and "New Sudan"? I don't know if such a thing is possible. One thing is sure though, there is enough evidence to prove that the present unelected dictatorship in Khartoum are complicit in war crimes, if only through their neglecting their responsibility to protect its people.
Personally, I would support a call for the present regime in Khartoum, along with the other perpretators of atrocities in Sudan, to be arrested and put on trial at the Hague for war crimes.
Further reading:
July 23: Race & Resources Drive Darfur Conflict - Says human rights center. The head of a US university human rights center says race and resources are the driving forces behind the conflict in western Sudan’s Darfur region. “Khartoum must be put on notice that only an open and inclusive democracy will save it from partition into two states, one black African, the other Arab", says Makau Mutua, professor of law and director of the Human Rights Center at the State University of New York in Buffalo.
July 23: Rebels in western Sudan say the pro-government Janjaweed militiamen have attacked civilians in the Darfur region several times this week, despite Khartoum's pledge to disarm the militia. The rebels also accuse the Sudanese government of sending military planes to support the Janjaweed and to harass civilians."
July 23: "A conspiracy of silence on Darfur ... in Beirut" by Julie Flint who writes: "The opportunity to engage in a debate about the monstrous goings-on in Darfur was lost as Khartoum's ambassador in Lebanon was allowed to hijack the presentation of the report and turn it into a platform for Sudan's lies and propaganda. Who was responsible for throwing neutrality in the dustbin by permitting the Sudanese ambassador to speak to his heart's content (and beyond) from a preferential seat on the podium, from where he questioned the integrity of Amnesty International, heaped scorn on human rights concerns and brazenly asserted that he would offer a visa to Sudan - but only to an "Arab" researcher "under my supervision." (Ecstatic applause.) ..."
July 22: Amid Sudan crisis, Khartoum takes delivery of Russian fighter jects: Despite Khartoum's denials of any role in the deaths, groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch say they have evidence that shows the government is arming pro-government Arab militias and using MiG aircraft to attack black Africans in Darfur. "When I was in Chad in February, I collected a number of testimonies from refugees from Darfur who specifically identified MiGs as having been involved in the bombings of villages and so on," said Leslie Lefkow, a researcher for Human Rights Watch who has interviewed people caught up in the conflict. "They drew pictures of what the planes looked like."
July 24: Editorial from Arab News on Darfur Crisis.
- - -
U.S. DRAFTS U.N. RESOLUTION
That threatens sanctions
Yesterday, the US Congress passed a resolution calling on Sudan to arrest the leading members of the militias within 30 days. The text calls for an immediate arms embargo in Darfur and raises the possibility of sending peacekeepers to the region. Experts from the 15 Security Council nations were to discuss the draft on Friday, diplomats said.
Today, US President Bush has told Sudan to halt violence in the troubled Darfur region. Mr Bush urged Khartoum to rein in the Arab militia known as the Janjaweed, and allow relief agencies to work. His comments came after the US Congress - in a non-binding vote - called the Darfur crisis a "genocide".
Resolution key points excerpts: US to lead an international effort to prevent genocide in Darfur; US to consider multilateral or even unilateral intervention; Impose targeted sanctions; Establish a resettlement and rehabilitation fund.
The United Nations Security Council is also pressing for a resolution that could see sanctions imposed on Khartoum if it does not stop the ethnic cleansing. In the UN, Secretary-General Kofi Annan says he believes the Security Council is likely to back a draft resolution threatening Sudan with sanctions over Darfur.
- - -
U.S. DECLARES 'GENOCIDE' IN SUDAN
U.S. U.N. resolution that threatens sanctions
Yesterday, US Congress, by a vote of 422 to zero, passed a non-binding resolution qualifying the atrocities committed in Darfur as "genocide" and calling on the White House to lead international efforts to intervene in the region.
According to the U.N. Genocide Convention, countries are obliged to take action to stop genocide wherever it is taking place. Congress hopes it can now put further pressure on the international community to intervene.
The motion which has passed Congress goes so far as to call on the Bush administration to intervene unilaterally, should the United Nations Security Council fail to act.
- - -
Pope John Paul II on Thursday dispatched a special envoy to Darfur, with the Vatican comparing Darfur to "Rwanda in slow motion" -- an allusion to the 1994 genocide that left at least 800,000 Rwandans dead.
French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier is due to visit Darfur next week.
Update - July 23: Patrick Hall at The Horn of Africa blog has a link to the government of Sudan's response to US Congress declaring the massacres in Sudan as genocide.
- - -
DARFUR REBELS TO RESUME PEACE TALKS
July 22: Two rebel groups from Darfur say they will resume peace talks they broke off with the Sudanese government a few days ago. The agreement to resume negotiations was concluded during crisis talks held at the Geneva-based Center for Humanitarian Dialogue.
Reps from the AU, Chad and the UN attended the one-day meeting to try to persuade rebels hat dialogue was the only way to achieve peace.
At the end of the closed-door session, AU chief mediator said the SLM and the JEM had agreed to continue consultations with the Sudanese government in Khartoum immediately.
However, he acknowledged that the problems, which precipitated the rebel walkout have not been resolved.
The rebels abruptly broke off talks after the Sudanese government refused to demilitarize the so-called Janjaweed Arab militia, and to discuss an exchange of prisoners as preconditions for negotiations.
A spokesman for the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, confirmed that the parties want to keep the peace process going. "The two sides have shown commitment, and what we do hope is that they follow through with that commitment, and that the innocent people of Darfur that are caught up in the fighting, that their lives can be improved and that we are not too late,"said the CHD spokesman.
Note: At a news conference earlier in the day, the U.N.'s top human rights official, Louise Arbour, expressed her concern over the events unfolding in Darfur. She said outside intervention may be necessary, if the government is unable to protect its own people.
KHARTOUM ADMIT THEY CAN'T CONTROL ARAB OUTLAWS
2m Sudanese are in desperate need of aid
Have 10,000 people from Darfur have been exterminated? Or is the figure 30,000? Have one million been driven from Darfur? Or is the number two million? Have 20,000 fled over the border to the neighbouring country of Chad? Or is it 200,000?
Reports vary on the number of people that have been eliminated from Darfur. The Financial Times seemed to get it right in its report that Arab militia in Sudan have killed up to 30,000 and left 2m in desperate need of aid. But today UN emergency relief coordinator Jan Egeland says the Darfur death toll is at least 30,000 and could be high as 50,000.
Last month, at a meeting in Khartoum, Sudan's President Bashir promised US Defence Secretary Colin Powell and UN General Secretary Kofi Annan to: (1) try the Arab militia leaders believed to be responsible for atrocities; (2) disarm the militia groups; (3) grant freedom of movement to aid workers.
If by the end of this month, the security situation did not improve, President Bashir agreed that Sudan would have to accept the international community's offer of help to get food and aid safely to Sudanese refugees.
The United Nations (191 sovereign member states including U.S. and U.K.), European Union (25 European countries, including U.K.), African Union (53 African nations) and the United States of America now know that no progress whatsoever has been made by the government of Sudan (GoS) in Khartoum.
Despite the past two months of intense political pressure on GoS and the huge amount of aid and diplomatic effort given by the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Kuwait, Libya - the aid and help is still not reaching all of those who need it most.
Aid workers are still being attacked, supplies are being looted, rains are making huge areas impassable, disease is spreading and the killings continue. Even the GoS admitted it cannot disarm the Arab militias that have been running amok for the past ten years.
How can GoS ever provide unimpeded access for aid to safely reach the Sudanese refugees? They can't. Even though the lives of hundreds and thousands of their citizens are at stake, the GoS are rejecting offers of outside help. Why?
The only reason I can come up with is that the GoS cannot see things the way we do. They come from such a different mindset and culture and are a hundred years or more behind us in comprehending human rights.
Well, they need to learn the error of their ways - or else.
Or else -- what? Well, here's the deal and message for GoS in Khartoum: "If you don't listen up and learn pdq, we Brits will come back and sort you out. You've had nearly fifty years to sort yourselves out since we left. Clearly you, and all those before you, can't do it. You'll not get away with threatening us. We weren't an Empire for nothing. So stick that up your flea bitten camel backsides and listen up. Or else -- you're toast.
- - -
BRITAIN IS LEADING FIGHT TO STOP SUDAN CRISIS
EU support for AU mission to include British personnel with military expertise
July 23: UK aid planes left for Darfur.
Prime Minister Tony Blair confirmed he is considering sending troops to Sudan to help distribute aid, lend logistical support to an African Union (AU) protection force to protect refugee camps from marauding militias.
"We rule nothing out, but we are not at that stage yet," Blair told reporters in London. He said the "critical thing", in the short-term, was to try and make the current international strategy work, adding "we want the European Union to make a far bigger commitment on this."
"We have a moral responsibility to deal with this and to deal with it by any means that we can," he told reporters at Downing Street. But he said the first step was to increase diplomatic pressure on the Sudanese government and he stressed the need to work by consensus with African governments through the African Union.
Mr Blair left little doubt about his willingness to consider his sixth overseas military intervention since 1997. He has described the state of Africa as a "scar on the conscience of the world", while the genocide in Rwanda inspired his doctrine of putting humanitarian intervention above state sovereignty.
Britain has been pressing for a United Nations Security Council resolution setting a deadline for the Sudanese government to control the militia and open up access for aid agencies.
Mr Blair held talks last night with Kofi Annan, the United Nations secretary general, about providing assistance for monitoring a ceasefire.
- - -
UK International Development Secretary Mr Hilary Benn said Britain is leading attempts to stop government-backed militias in Sudan from continuing their campaign of murder, rape and terror.
He also confirmed that Britain, the largest cash donor, is heading attempts in the U.N. to force the Sudanese government to take action. "The UK has done as much, if not more, than any other nation in the world" he said.
Mr Benn's comments came as the charity Oxfam prepared to send a third aid flight to Sudan from Manston airport in Kent. The flight carrying 30 tons of water and £90,000 worth of sanitation equipment left at 7pm yesterday.
- - -
UK FOREIGN SECRETARY TO VISIT SUDAN
UK pushes EU for "joint civilian military team" as backup for AU mission
July 23: UK Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw Friday said: "The Sudan army is at best passive and at worst complicit in these attacks".
Mr Straw is set to visit Sudan, and possibly Darfur, next month and will talk with EU foreign ministers on Monday as he's pushing EU members to take action on Sudan that includes sending a "joint civilian military team".
As he said it would not be a British military operation and would not be a fighting force, my guess is, given that 270 armed troops (led by the AU and funded by the EU) are about to become the first foreign troops to set foot on Sudanese soil anyway, Mr Straw is pushing the EU to support a "back-up" for the mission to include British personnel with military expertise.
July 23: U.K. Liberal Democrats have called for Britain to lead an EU military force dealing with the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
Lib Dem spokesman Sir Menzies Campbell said this diplomatic work was not working. "It is becoming increasingly clear that food aid and pressure on the Sudanese government alone will not be sufficient to stem the impending disaster in Darfur," he wrote to Straw yesterday. "An EU military force operating under a UN mandate looks like the only answer if we are to prevent a disaster on the scale of Rwanda a decade ago. "With US and British forces stretched to breaking point, countries such as France and Germany have the opportunity to make a significant contribution. But Britain too must also contribute to any such force so far as it can.
July 23: Plaid MP backs task force for Sudan crisis - Adam Price has broken with his party's anti-war ethos to urge the deployment of troops to Sudan. If British troops, backed by a United Nations resolution, were sent in to Sudan, Mr Price promised to support the action. It would be the first time a Plaid Cymru MP backed military action by Britain since the no-fly zones were first established in Iraq in 1983.
The Conservatives have said there is a "good case" for military action.
Yay for Britain.
- - -
BRITAIN COULD SEND 5,000 TROOPS TO SUDAN
The head of the British Army has said
July 23: British Army 'ready' to help in Sudan says ic Wales, UK:
Britain could send 5,000 troops to Sudan to intervene in the humanitarian crisis, the head of the Army has said. The Chief of General Staff, General Sir Mike Jackson, said the Army would be ready if called upon.
He said a brigade of 5,000 soldiers could be ready and fully equipped if the Government decided to send troops in. In an interview to be shown on BBC News 24's HARDtalk, General Sir Mike said: "If need be we will be able to go to Sudan. I suspect we could put a brigade together very quickly indeed."
Asked how many troops that would entail, he replied: "Five thousand."
Yay for the British Army :)
Update -
July 24: BBC: UK troops 'ready to go to Sudan'
July 24: Guardian: UK could send troops to Sudan 'quickly'
- - -
SUDAN WARNS U.K. and U.S.
Not to interfere in Darfur
Sudan had the cheek to warn Britain and the United States not to interfere in Darfur after UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said he had not ruled out military aid to help combat the crisis in Darfur.
It is my view that, by issuing the following four statements on Friday, the GoS has sealed its own fate:
(1) "We don't need any (UN) resolutions. Any resolutions from the Security Council will complicate things," said Sudan's Foreign Minister Ismail, who likened U.S. and British pressure as similar to that put on Iraq before the war.
(2) In an interview with the BBC, Sudanese Interior Minister Hussein denied there had been massacres in Darfur. "Disarming the militias is a long process that required patience," he said.
(3) "I don't understand why Britain and the United States are systematically increasing pressure against us," Sudanese Foreign Minister Ismail said yesterday on a visit to Paris." (This) pressure closely resembles the increased pressure that was put on Iraq (before the war)," he said.
(4) Sudanese Foreign Minister Ismail, in Paris this week for talks with French Foreign Minister Barnier, when asked to comment on the report that the UK was considering sending troops to help with the aid, said Khartoum would withdraw its forces from the region if British troops were to be deployed, adding: "We will give him the chance if he can give security to Darfur." "The Janjaweed are a gang of faithless thieves and assassins, who have operated outside the law for some 10 years and who are taking advantage of a state of war," the Sudanese minister told reporters.
Given that Mr Ismail does not understand the reasons why Britain and the United States (the two largest donors of aid relief to Sudan) are pressuring Khartoum for the aid to safely reach the refugees, goes to show their little, if any, understanding of human rights. And of how the Western world thinks and operates.
Clearly, the present regime in Khartoum is not fit to govern. There is enough evidence to prove they can never be trusted to do right by its people. They are no better than the lawlords, outlaws and bandits that they allow to roam Sudan and rule regions by intimidation while make a living from theft and looting.
Sudan has had nearly fifty years of independence since the British left. During most of that time, the Sudanese have endured constant war. Sudan needs help in getting its Peace Accord sorted to give a united "New Sudan" every chance to live and trade in peace.
My conclusion is that the present regime will never be fit to govern and must be removed, sooner or later. Preferably sooner.
Who could act as an interim government? I don't know. Could Darfur come under the protection of the U.N. and be made into a Peace Zone where the refugees could return to and farm while the Peace Accord is being sorted for a united and "New Sudan"? I don't know if such a thing is possible. One thing is sure though, there is enough evidence to prove that the present unelected dictatorship in Khartoum are complicit in war crimes, if only through their neglecting their responsibility to protect its people.
Personally, I would support a call for the present regime in Khartoum, along with the other perpretators of atrocities in Sudan, to be arrested and put on trial at the Hague for war crimes.
Further reading:
July 23: Race & Resources Drive Darfur Conflict - Says human rights center. The head of a US university human rights center says race and resources are the driving forces behind the conflict in western Sudan’s Darfur region. “Khartoum must be put on notice that only an open and inclusive democracy will save it from partition into two states, one black African, the other Arab", says Makau Mutua, professor of law and director of the Human Rights Center at the State University of New York in Buffalo.
July 23: Rebels in western Sudan say the pro-government Janjaweed militiamen have attacked civilians in the Darfur region several times this week, despite Khartoum's pledge to disarm the militia. The rebels also accuse the Sudanese government of sending military planes to support the Janjaweed and to harass civilians."
July 23: "A conspiracy of silence on Darfur ... in Beirut" by Julie Flint who writes: "The opportunity to engage in a debate about the monstrous goings-on in Darfur was lost as Khartoum's ambassador in Lebanon was allowed to hijack the presentation of the report and turn it into a platform for Sudan's lies and propaganda. Who was responsible for throwing neutrality in the dustbin by permitting the Sudanese ambassador to speak to his heart's content (and beyond) from a preferential seat on the podium, from where he questioned the integrity of Amnesty International, heaped scorn on human rights concerns and brazenly asserted that he would offer a visa to Sudan - but only to an "Arab" researcher "under my supervision." (Ecstatic applause.) ..."
July 22: Amid Sudan crisis, Khartoum takes delivery of Russian fighter jects: Despite Khartoum's denials of any role in the deaths, groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch say they have evidence that shows the government is arming pro-government Arab militias and using MiG aircraft to attack black Africans in Darfur. "When I was in Chad in February, I collected a number of testimonies from refugees from Darfur who specifically identified MiGs as having been involved in the bombings of villages and so on," said Leslie Lefkow, a researcher for Human Rights Watch who has interviewed people caught up in the conflict. "They drew pictures of what the planes looked like."
July 24: Editorial from Arab News on Darfur Crisis.
- - -
U.S. DRAFTS U.N. RESOLUTION
That threatens sanctions
Yesterday, the US Congress passed a resolution calling on Sudan to arrest the leading members of the militias within 30 days. The text calls for an immediate arms embargo in Darfur and raises the possibility of sending peacekeepers to the region. Experts from the 15 Security Council nations were to discuss the draft on Friday, diplomats said.
Today, US President Bush has told Sudan to halt violence in the troubled Darfur region. Mr Bush urged Khartoum to rein in the Arab militia known as the Janjaweed, and allow relief agencies to work. His comments came after the US Congress - in a non-binding vote - called the Darfur crisis a "genocide".
Resolution key points excerpts: US to lead an international effort to prevent genocide in Darfur; US to consider multilateral or even unilateral intervention; Impose targeted sanctions; Establish a resettlement and rehabilitation fund.
The United Nations Security Council is also pressing for a resolution that could see sanctions imposed on Khartoum if it does not stop the ethnic cleansing. In the UN, Secretary-General Kofi Annan says he believes the Security Council is likely to back a draft resolution threatening Sudan with sanctions over Darfur.
- - -
U.S. DECLARES 'GENOCIDE' IN SUDAN
U.S. U.N. resolution that threatens sanctions
Yesterday, US Congress, by a vote of 422 to zero, passed a non-binding resolution qualifying the atrocities committed in Darfur as "genocide" and calling on the White House to lead international efforts to intervene in the region.
According to the U.N. Genocide Convention, countries are obliged to take action to stop genocide wherever it is taking place. Congress hopes it can now put further pressure on the international community to intervene.
The motion which has passed Congress goes so far as to call on the Bush administration to intervene unilaterally, should the United Nations Security Council fail to act.
- - -
Pope John Paul II on Thursday dispatched a special envoy to Darfur, with the Vatican comparing Darfur to "Rwanda in slow motion" -- an allusion to the 1994 genocide that left at least 800,000 Rwandans dead.
French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier is due to visit Darfur next week.
Update - July 23: Patrick Hall at The Horn of Africa blog has a link to the government of Sudan's response to US Congress declaring the massacres in Sudan as genocide.
- - -
DARFUR REBELS TO RESUME PEACE TALKS
July 22: Two rebel groups from Darfur say they will resume peace talks they broke off with the Sudanese government a few days ago. The agreement to resume negotiations was concluded during crisis talks held at the Geneva-based Center for Humanitarian Dialogue.
Reps from the AU, Chad and the UN attended the one-day meeting to try to persuade rebels hat dialogue was the only way to achieve peace.
At the end of the closed-door session, AU chief mediator said the SLM and the JEM had agreed to continue consultations with the Sudanese government in Khartoum immediately.
However, he acknowledged that the problems, which precipitated the rebel walkout have not been resolved.
The rebels abruptly broke off talks after the Sudanese government refused to demilitarize the so-called Janjaweed Arab militia, and to discuss an exchange of prisoners as preconditions for negotiations.
A spokesman for the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, confirmed that the parties want to keep the peace process going. "The two sides have shown commitment, and what we do hope is that they follow through with that commitment, and that the innocent people of Darfur that are caught up in the fighting, that their lives can be improved and that we are not too late,"said the CHD spokesman.
Note: At a news conference earlier in the day, the U.N.'s top human rights official, Louise Arbour, expressed her concern over the events unfolding in Darfur. She said outside intervention may be necessary, if the government is unable to protect its own people.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/24/2004
Thursday, July 22, 2004
NO PROGRESS BY KHARTOUM ON DISARMING MILITIAS
Legally declaring genocide in Darfur will not help refugees
U.S. State Department report July 21 excerpt:
Secretary-General Annan's envoy Mr. Pronk said in New York Wednesday there has been "no progress what so ever" on security for the refugees.
The U.S. senior diplomat who spoke to reporters said it's hoped that Thursday's Powell-Annan meeting help focus public attention on Darfur and generate support for a Security Council resolution.
He acknowledged that "a few" members of the council were holding out against the draft, which would threaten an arms embargo and travel ban against the Janjaweed and their supporters within the Khartoum government within a month, if U.N. terms are not met.
The Bush administration has described actions of the Janjaweed as "ethnic cleansing." It is also examining whether the situation fits the definition of genocide, which could trigger far-reaching penalties against those responsible under a 1948 international convention.
But the senior diplomat said such a legal determination would be of no immediate help to hundreds of thousands of people in Darfur whose lives are in jeopardy, and the important thing now is to disarm the militias.
- - -
Powell Expects to Get 'Clearer Picture' From Darfur Reports
July 20 report in full re SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN L. POWELL AND SERBIAN PRESIDENT BORIS TADIC AFTER THEIR MEETING:
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, you said in an interview last week that you expected to be getting reporting back from the ground in Darfur this week. Do you have any timeline for when you may be prepared to make that report? And since you've come back from Sudan, have you been at all encouraged by events on the ground?
SECRETARY POWELL: I will start to get some reporting in, I hope, this evening. It won't be a complete picture, but I've had people from our human rights bureaus and from our intelligence bureaus out interviewing individuals in Darfur and in Chad as well, and those reports will start to come in now, which will give us a clearer picture of the nature of this conflict and what the Jingaweit and the other militias have been doing.
How soon we can make a judgment that would lead us to characterize this situation one way or another remains to be seen. I can't answer that until the reports come in.
With respect to what's happened over the last couple of weeks since I visited there, since Secretary General Annan visited there and a number of congressional delegations visited, has been a mixed picture. With respect to humanitarian aid, more aid is going in. It is getting more difficult to retail it out to the needed populations, the needed camps, but more aid is coming in. They have removed some of the restrictions and they have been approving visas and transit documents more rapidly. So the Sudanese Government, they have taken some steps, has taken some steps to make it easier for the aid to come in and be delivered and for humanitarian workers to do their work.
We are also building up rapidly the size of the AU Monitoring Group, the African Union Monitoring Group, and I talked to Nigerian President Obasanjo on Sunday to see what I could do to assist in providing African Union troops to protect the African Union Monitoring Group, and we're working on that. We're trying to get the political process back on track as well, and my ambassadors in the region have had conversations with rebel leaders to get them back to the table.
On Sunday, I also spoke to Vice President Taha of Sudan and I spoke to Foreign Minister Ismail of Sudan. And while I took note of some marginal improvement in the humanitarian side, I also pointed out to them as clearly as I could that I, the President and the international community remain complete dissatisfied with the security situation. Not enough is being done to break the hold of the Jingaweit. Rapes are still occurring. People do not feel safe leaving the camps to go out and forage for food. The situation remains very, very serious and, first and foremost, the security has to be dealt with.
We will continue to consult with our international partners. I'll be talking to Secretary General Annan again this afternoon and Jan Pronk, his representative in the Sudan, is back to brief our Ambassador Danforth today and the Security Council tomorrow, and I expect to be in close touch with Kofi Annan later in the week to determine what further action might be appropriate for the Security Council and the international community to take.
Thank you.
Legally declaring genocide in Darfur will not help refugees
U.S. State Department report July 21 excerpt:
Secretary-General Annan's envoy Mr. Pronk said in New York Wednesday there has been "no progress what so ever" on security for the refugees.
The U.S. senior diplomat who spoke to reporters said it's hoped that Thursday's Powell-Annan meeting help focus public attention on Darfur and generate support for a Security Council resolution.
He acknowledged that "a few" members of the council were holding out against the draft, which would threaten an arms embargo and travel ban against the Janjaweed and their supporters within the Khartoum government within a month, if U.N. terms are not met.
The Bush administration has described actions of the Janjaweed as "ethnic cleansing." It is also examining whether the situation fits the definition of genocide, which could trigger far-reaching penalties against those responsible under a 1948 international convention.
But the senior diplomat said such a legal determination would be of no immediate help to hundreds of thousands of people in Darfur whose lives are in jeopardy, and the important thing now is to disarm the militias.
- - -
Powell Expects to Get 'Clearer Picture' From Darfur Reports
July 20 report in full re SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN L. POWELL AND SERBIAN PRESIDENT BORIS TADIC AFTER THEIR MEETING:
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, you said in an interview last week that you expected to be getting reporting back from the ground in Darfur this week. Do you have any timeline for when you may be prepared to make that report? And since you've come back from Sudan, have you been at all encouraged by events on the ground?
SECRETARY POWELL: I will start to get some reporting in, I hope, this evening. It won't be a complete picture, but I've had people from our human rights bureaus and from our intelligence bureaus out interviewing individuals in Darfur and in Chad as well, and those reports will start to come in now, which will give us a clearer picture of the nature of this conflict and what the Jingaweit and the other militias have been doing.
How soon we can make a judgment that would lead us to characterize this situation one way or another remains to be seen. I can't answer that until the reports come in.
With respect to what's happened over the last couple of weeks since I visited there, since Secretary General Annan visited there and a number of congressional delegations visited, has been a mixed picture. With respect to humanitarian aid, more aid is going in. It is getting more difficult to retail it out to the needed populations, the needed camps, but more aid is coming in. They have removed some of the restrictions and they have been approving visas and transit documents more rapidly. So the Sudanese Government, they have taken some steps, has taken some steps to make it easier for the aid to come in and be delivered and for humanitarian workers to do their work.
We are also building up rapidly the size of the AU Monitoring Group, the African Union Monitoring Group, and I talked to Nigerian President Obasanjo on Sunday to see what I could do to assist in providing African Union troops to protect the African Union Monitoring Group, and we're working on that. We're trying to get the political process back on track as well, and my ambassadors in the region have had conversations with rebel leaders to get them back to the table.
On Sunday, I also spoke to Vice President Taha of Sudan and I spoke to Foreign Minister Ismail of Sudan. And while I took note of some marginal improvement in the humanitarian side, I also pointed out to them as clearly as I could that I, the President and the international community remain complete dissatisfied with the security situation. Not enough is being done to break the hold of the Jingaweit. Rapes are still occurring. People do not feel safe leaving the camps to go out and forage for food. The situation remains very, very serious and, first and foremost, the security has to be dealt with.
We will continue to consult with our international partners. I'll be talking to Secretary General Annan again this afternoon and Jan Pronk, his representative in the Sudan, is back to brief our Ambassador Danforth today and the Security Council tomorrow, and I expect to be in close touch with Kofi Annan later in the week to determine what further action might be appropriate for the Security Council and the international community to take.
Thank you.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/22/2004
- - -
BLAIR PLAN TO SEND BRITISH TROOPS
For possible military intervention in Sudan
From correspondents in London July 22: Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair had drawn up plans to send British troops for possible military intervention in Sudan where a bloody conflict has engulfed the western region of Darfur, a British newspaper said today.
"The Prime Minister has asked to look at all the options that will save lives and not to rule out the military services," a British government official was quoted as saying in The Guardian newspaper. According to the report, Mr Blair is considering three options: sending British servicemen only to help with the aid effort; sending logistical support for an African Union force; deploying British troops to protect refugee camps.
The final and most risky option would require the agreement of the Khartoum Government, which would be reluctant to give it, the newspaper said.
Mr Blair yesterday promised to keep in close touch with Washington and the United Nations over events in Darfur, where at least 10,000 people are estimated to have died since conflict erupted in February 2003.
"The key things now are, first of all, to make sure that whatever aid is given, it goes through to the people who need it most," Mr Blair told Parliament in answer to a question on the issue. "Secondly, to keep up pressure on the Government of the Sudan to make sure that they are dealing with the real problems that are giving rise to the violence and the ethnic cleansing. "And we continue to put as much pressure as we possibly can on them to do that, along with the United States," he said.
Quizzed on whether more international troops or monitors were needed for Darfur, Mr Blair said he had talked twice with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan about the issue. "We will continue to work with the UN and other countries which are involved in this, we will continue to monitor the situation very carefully and we rule absolutely nothing out in this situation," he said.
- - -
BLAIR DRAWS UP PLANS TO SEND TROOPS TO SUDAN
British Army could be used to protect refugee camps
July 22: Blair draws up plans to send troops to Sudan. U.K. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw is to fly to Sudan soon to assess the plight of the refugees at first-hand. Copy of report from The Guardian, here in full:
Tony Blair has asked Downing Street and Foreign Office officials to draw up plans for possible military intervention in Sudan, where more than a million refugees are at risk from famine and disease.
Despite a heavy commitment of British armed forces in Iraq and other troublespots, the prime minister has had discussions with advisers for on-the-ground involvement of troops.
The prime minister is still hoping that diplomatic and political pressure on the Khartoum government will resolve the crisis without the need for military involvement.
But with conditions in hundreds of camps sharply deteriorating this week with the onset of torrential rain, governments across Europe as well as the US are facing calls for action to prevent a repetition of the Rwanda genocide 10 years ago that claimed a million lives. A government official involved in the discussions said Mr Blair was being given regular updates on the condition of the refugees in the Darfur region.
"The prime minister has asked to look at all options that will save lives and not to rule out the military services," the official said. Three options for military action have been put forward in Downing Street:
· British servicemen to help with the delivery of aid if the humanitarian agencies can no longer cope. At present, the Belgian air force is helping to fly in aid. Britain is using civilian planes because they are cheaper.
· British logistical support for an African Union force of 60 monitors and 300-strong protection force being deployed in the Sudan. The AU force is short of equipment, including helicopters, vital given the poor state of Darfur's roads.
· British troops to protect refugee camps being harassed by marauding militias. This creation of safe zones would be the most risky of the options and would require the agreement of the Khartoum government, which would be reluctant to give it.
The fact that Mr Blair is prepared to consider military options, even limited ones, so soon after the Iraq war may create controversy, not least among critics who already regard him as too interventionist. It would be his sixth military venture since becoming prime minister in 1997.
Mr Blair, speaking at the Labour party conference in 2001, said he would have a moral duty to intervene in any country to prevent a repetition of Rwanda. Two years earlier, Mr Blair set out in Chicago a doctrine for intervention in humanitarian cases. Asked about Sudan in the Commons yesterday, Mr Blair did not mention the military option. But he said he "ruled absolutely nothing out".
A ministerial source said pressure was building on Mr Blair and the foreign secretary, Jack Straw. "For Straw and Blair, Rwanda was a marker for the world," he said. "A reprise of Rwanda chills everyone's blood."
Mr Straw is to fly to Sudan soon to assess the plight of the refugees at first-hand.
The UN security council is shortly to table a resolution that is expected to set out a timetable to put pressure on the Sudanese government to resolve the crisis.
The Darfur refugees, mainly women and children, were forced to flee their homes after attacks by the Janjaweed, a militia armed by the Khartoum government to help combat rebels. The government, which initially slowed access by aid organisations to Darfur, has so far failed to fulfil promises to the UN to disarm the Janjaweed.
The onset of heavy rain in recent weeks has brought chaos to the camps by cutting off roads and aid, destroying shelters and disrupting water supplies, leaving malnourished refugees vulnerable to disease.
There is intense debate between Downing Street and the Foreign Office about the best approach. Some, especially in the Foreign Office, see military involvement as impractical given that Darfur is the size of France, and favour continuing to cajole the government into reining in the Janjaweed and making the camps secure.
Intervention in Sudan would help Mr Blair counter critics who accuse him of intervening only when US or British self-interest is at stake. Britain sent soldiers to Sierra Leone in 2000 in support of a beleaguered UN force: the other interventions were Kosovo, Afghanistan and twice in Iraq.
In spite of complaints by the Ministry of Defence about the overstretch of military resources, it could provide a few hundred servicemen. A request for thousands would be problematic. Government officials concede that the US is unlikely to put any troops on the ground and there is little support elsewhere in Europe.
At prime minister's question time, the Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy, asked Mr Blair: "What scope do you see for further practical steps now ... to assist the millions of Sudanese facing ethnic cleansing and starvation?"
Mr Blair said he was in touch with ministers on the issue every day and had spoken to the UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, twice over the past couple of weeks. He said it was vital to "make sure whatever aid is given gets through to the people who need it most and secondly to keep up pressure on the government of Sudan to make sure they are dealing with the real problems that are giving rise to the violence and ethnic cleansing."
- - -
OLIVER LETWIN MP
Writes to British Foreign Secretary on The Sudan
Clive at The UK Today may be interested to know that yesterday morning I received a letter from my MP Oliver Letwin. Here is a copy:
17 July 2004
Dear Ms Jones
Thank you for your recent e-mail.
I have recently had meetings with various constituents about the situation in The Sudan, as well as correspondence with the Bishop of Salisbury's chaplain on the subject.
As a result, I have written to the Foreign Secretary, asking him to ensure that the Government supports every effort to improve the appalling situation in that country. I assure you that my colleagues and I will continue to press for support for this beleaguered part of the world.
Yours sincerely
Oliver Letwin
- - -
Previous posts:
June 24: post re acknowledgement received from Oliver Letwin MP.
June 19: post copy of letter faxed to Oliver Letwin MP on June 8, 2004.
June 10: post re fax to Oliver Letwin MP requesting him to sign EDM1051 and EDM 2943.
BLAIR PLAN TO SEND BRITISH TROOPS
For possible military intervention in Sudan
From correspondents in London July 22: Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair had drawn up plans to send British troops for possible military intervention in Sudan where a bloody conflict has engulfed the western region of Darfur, a British newspaper said today.
"The Prime Minister has asked to look at all the options that will save lives and not to rule out the military services," a British government official was quoted as saying in The Guardian newspaper. According to the report, Mr Blair is considering three options: sending British servicemen only to help with the aid effort; sending logistical support for an African Union force; deploying British troops to protect refugee camps.
The final and most risky option would require the agreement of the Khartoum Government, which would be reluctant to give it, the newspaper said.
Mr Blair yesterday promised to keep in close touch with Washington and the United Nations over events in Darfur, where at least 10,000 people are estimated to have died since conflict erupted in February 2003.
"The key things now are, first of all, to make sure that whatever aid is given, it goes through to the people who need it most," Mr Blair told Parliament in answer to a question on the issue. "Secondly, to keep up pressure on the Government of the Sudan to make sure that they are dealing with the real problems that are giving rise to the violence and the ethnic cleansing. "And we continue to put as much pressure as we possibly can on them to do that, along with the United States," he said.
Quizzed on whether more international troops or monitors were needed for Darfur, Mr Blair said he had talked twice with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan about the issue. "We will continue to work with the UN and other countries which are involved in this, we will continue to monitor the situation very carefully and we rule absolutely nothing out in this situation," he said.
- - -
BLAIR DRAWS UP PLANS TO SEND TROOPS TO SUDAN
British Army could be used to protect refugee camps
July 22: Blair draws up plans to send troops to Sudan. U.K. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw is to fly to Sudan soon to assess the plight of the refugees at first-hand. Copy of report from The Guardian, here in full:
Tony Blair has asked Downing Street and Foreign Office officials to draw up plans for possible military intervention in Sudan, where more than a million refugees are at risk from famine and disease.
Despite a heavy commitment of British armed forces in Iraq and other troublespots, the prime minister has had discussions with advisers for on-the-ground involvement of troops.
The prime minister is still hoping that diplomatic and political pressure on the Khartoum government will resolve the crisis without the need for military involvement.
But with conditions in hundreds of camps sharply deteriorating this week with the onset of torrential rain, governments across Europe as well as the US are facing calls for action to prevent a repetition of the Rwanda genocide 10 years ago that claimed a million lives. A government official involved in the discussions said Mr Blair was being given regular updates on the condition of the refugees in the Darfur region.
"The prime minister has asked to look at all options that will save lives and not to rule out the military services," the official said. Three options for military action have been put forward in Downing Street:
· British servicemen to help with the delivery of aid if the humanitarian agencies can no longer cope. At present, the Belgian air force is helping to fly in aid. Britain is using civilian planes because they are cheaper.
· British logistical support for an African Union force of 60 monitors and 300-strong protection force being deployed in the Sudan. The AU force is short of equipment, including helicopters, vital given the poor state of Darfur's roads.
· British troops to protect refugee camps being harassed by marauding militias. This creation of safe zones would be the most risky of the options and would require the agreement of the Khartoum government, which would be reluctant to give it.
The fact that Mr Blair is prepared to consider military options, even limited ones, so soon after the Iraq war may create controversy, not least among critics who already regard him as too interventionist. It would be his sixth military venture since becoming prime minister in 1997.
Mr Blair, speaking at the Labour party conference in 2001, said he would have a moral duty to intervene in any country to prevent a repetition of Rwanda. Two years earlier, Mr Blair set out in Chicago a doctrine for intervention in humanitarian cases. Asked about Sudan in the Commons yesterday, Mr Blair did not mention the military option. But he said he "ruled absolutely nothing out".
A ministerial source said pressure was building on Mr Blair and the foreign secretary, Jack Straw. "For Straw and Blair, Rwanda was a marker for the world," he said. "A reprise of Rwanda chills everyone's blood."
Mr Straw is to fly to Sudan soon to assess the plight of the refugees at first-hand.
The UN security council is shortly to table a resolution that is expected to set out a timetable to put pressure on the Sudanese government to resolve the crisis.
The Darfur refugees, mainly women and children, were forced to flee their homes after attacks by the Janjaweed, a militia armed by the Khartoum government to help combat rebels. The government, which initially slowed access by aid organisations to Darfur, has so far failed to fulfil promises to the UN to disarm the Janjaweed.
The onset of heavy rain in recent weeks has brought chaos to the camps by cutting off roads and aid, destroying shelters and disrupting water supplies, leaving malnourished refugees vulnerable to disease.
There is intense debate between Downing Street and the Foreign Office about the best approach. Some, especially in the Foreign Office, see military involvement as impractical given that Darfur is the size of France, and favour continuing to cajole the government into reining in the Janjaweed and making the camps secure.
Intervention in Sudan would help Mr Blair counter critics who accuse him of intervening only when US or British self-interest is at stake. Britain sent soldiers to Sierra Leone in 2000 in support of a beleaguered UN force: the other interventions were Kosovo, Afghanistan and twice in Iraq.
In spite of complaints by the Ministry of Defence about the overstretch of military resources, it could provide a few hundred servicemen. A request for thousands would be problematic. Government officials concede that the US is unlikely to put any troops on the ground and there is little support elsewhere in Europe.
At prime minister's question time, the Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy, asked Mr Blair: "What scope do you see for further practical steps now ... to assist the millions of Sudanese facing ethnic cleansing and starvation?"
Mr Blair said he was in touch with ministers on the issue every day and had spoken to the UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, twice over the past couple of weeks. He said it was vital to "make sure whatever aid is given gets through to the people who need it most and secondly to keep up pressure on the government of Sudan to make sure they are dealing with the real problems that are giving rise to the violence and ethnic cleansing."
- - -
OLIVER LETWIN MP
Writes to British Foreign Secretary on The Sudan
Clive at The UK Today may be interested to know that yesterday morning I received a letter from my MP Oliver Letwin. Here is a copy:
17 July 2004
Dear Ms Jones
Thank you for your recent e-mail.
I have recently had meetings with various constituents about the situation in The Sudan, as well as correspondence with the Bishop of Salisbury's chaplain on the subject.
As a result, I have written to the Foreign Secretary, asking him to ensure that the Government supports every effort to improve the appalling situation in that country. I assure you that my colleagues and I will continue to press for support for this beleaguered part of the world.
Yours sincerely
Oliver Letwin
- - -
Previous posts:
June 24: post re acknowledgement received from Oliver Letwin MP.
June 19: post copy of letter faxed to Oliver Letwin MP on June 8, 2004.
June 10: post re fax to Oliver Letwin MP requesting him to sign EDM1051 and EDM 2943.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/22/2004
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
THE ORIGINAL SUDAN PEACE ACT
A powerful tool for coercing Khartoum
into stopping genocide?
The more oil that's found, the worse the violence will become?
This morning, Patrick Hall at The Horn of Africa kindly emailed me to say he has been reading a post by Mike, at Blog for Arizona, on the relationship between oil and the wars in Sudan. Apart from a few points, Patrick finds it quite convincing. Me too. The post links to some very interesting PDF files. I'm glad Patrick thought to drop me a line about it because I'd spent most of yesterday reading the same post that Mike had pointed out in his comment at this blog.
In Mike's post entitled "Powell's Sudanese Farce", he writes: "aspirations of independence are still alive in the South. Fear of that persistent desire and its attendant loss of vital resources, especially oil, is the major reason for the ongoing ethnic violence. The more reserves which are found, the worse the violence will become. Khartoum perceives a need to remove southern Sudanese from the regions surrounding this natural bounty, so that the wealth the oil produces cannot be denied to the government. Khartoum is terrified of a partitioned Sudan which leaves the north resource-poor, cut off from the productive lands of the south and unable to access its tremendous water and oil resources. In the last few years the pogrom has intensified and become more persistent, more violent, and more organized. The clear and simple reason is that in 2000 the recently discovered oil reserves of the south (PDF) were brought into production, providing Khartoum with the means and motive to expand their program terror and genocide in the south, especially against those live on or near the active oil fields."
If I had more time today, there's a lot more of Mike's post I'd like to quote from. Here are a few examples: "The tie between the oil resources of the south and the ethnic cleansing is the Gordian knot which must be cut to bring relative peace to Sudan. To force Khartoum to stop killing the people of the south, one would have to threaten their beneficial use of Sudan’s oil resources. That is exactly what the Sudan Peace Act (PDF) of 2002 was intended to do. Sections 8 and 9 of the House version of that bill would have made effective the embargoes imposed by Executive Order in 1997 by President Clinton, and maintained in force every year since."
This line of Mike's, I found especially interesting: "Only threatening their oil revenues will force Khartoum to stop the violence. A ghostly echo of the critical role of oil remains in Section 8 of the enacted version, stripped of context and bereft of all force by fiat of President Bush. Using oil production to stop the genocide would be highly effective, but it would also mean a potential loss of hundreds of millions of dollars for the oil companies currently producing and exploring in Sudan.
If what Mike is saying is true, my new question is: are the US, UN and EU pushing for ways to threaten Sudan's oil revenues, if that's what will force Khartoum to stop the violence?
- - -
I've not yet had a chance to email Mike to thank him for his comment and post because yesterday I also received an email from Tom Pravda, out of the blue, who, like Mike, is another blogger new to me. I spent most of yesterday reading Mike's post and replying to Tom's email. Visitors are expected here tomorrow and Friday and I cannot spend the time I'd need to write a fresh post on the above. So, instead, I am copying the emails here.
I'd be most grateful for any feedback on Mike's post, and my email to Tom, as I hope to post further on defining what activists are hoping to achieve by pushing for UN sanctions against Sudan, secession, and for Genocide in Sudan to be declared .
Mike authors BlogForArizona: Grassroots Democrats. Here is a copy of the comment he yesterday here at this blog:
I wrote an article about the genocide and impact
of the gutting of the Sudan Peace Act by the Bush
Administration in 2002. No one seems to talk about
putting pressure on Sudan where it will hurt the
most since Bush killed very a effective method of
embargo in that bill. It seems that the oil
companies involved in development and exploration
in Sudan have effectively buried the strongest
tool we have to stop the killing.
http://dean4az.blogspot.com/2004/07/powells-sudanese-farce_01.html
Here is a copy of Tom's email to me. I am copying it here in full because it contains several useful links and leads to info on the die-in being held in Washington tomorrow:
On 20 Jul 2004, at 17:58, Tom Pravda wrote:
Dear Ingrid,
I came across your blog while looking for information about activism on Darfur in the UK.
I thought you, personally, might be interested in a new website we've set up on the "genocide" in Darfur. If you like what the site's trying to do, I was hoping you might post something about it and/or link to it from your blog. It's rather US focused at the moment (though we've had signups from the UK and Israel) but we're hoping to make it a global thing.
It's www.darfurgenocide.org
And we've got daily-updated news feeds and links to all the best press coverage, NGO reports and governmental statements etc., at www.darfurgenocide.org/info.htm
There's also links to slide shows and video footage: www.darfurgenocide.org/video.htm
People can sign international petitions calling on the international community to launch a humanitarian interevention, or mandate the International Criminal Court to investigate those responsible for the genocide:
www.darfurgenocide.org/action.htm
People can also sign up to organize events, raise money etc. in their town/city, www.darfurgenocide.org/localprotest.htm
People can donate to provide humanitarian aid or support advocacy efforts: www.darfurgenocide.org/donate.htm
I hope you'll take a few moments to look through it, perhaps get involved in some way, and consider either posting a comment about it, or providing a link (or both).
Best wishes, Tom Pravda, www.therespublica.org
Here is a copy of my reply to Tom:
Dear Tom,
Thank you for your email.
It was a wonderful surprise to hear from you.
I was already aware of the darfur genocide site and had already made mention of it and published news of the die-in.
Thanks for sending me the link to Res Public which I've now visited and glanced through (looks good - impressive three profiles - you all sound very interesting)
I'm so pleased you've made contact as it gives me an opportunity to give you some feedback in this reply and raise a few issues.
Firstly, for some unknown reason when I first found the darfur genocide site, my browser refused to capture the URL on your site. I was not able to provide a direct link to your site in my blog.
I've checked it out again today, and am still unable to capture the URL link.
I have a new Apple Mac PowerBook G4 with Safari browser, and have not encountered such a problem with any other site.
Secondly, I was curious to know how websites like yours get to know when another site is linking.
Weblogs have great services like Technorati, Feedster and Bloglines that tell us bloggers when other blogs are linking to us - which gives great feedback and a sense of community.
Hey, maybe each of you would consider starting a personal weblog: they're easy to start up and are completely free of charge over at Blogger.com :-)
Thirdly, there is something I've been mulling over that I cannot find the answers and was thinking how good it would be to be able to chew it over with someone who might know the answers to some of my questions.
Hey presto your email arrived. Seems you are the perfect person for me to ask. Here goes:
I am not an activist and so I have no understanding of what the activists campaigning for the Sudan are trying to achieve.
While I applaud all those who are pushing for "action" to help the people of Sudan, I can't seem to find any reports spelling out and making clear what exactly it is that they expect, and hope to have happen, as a result of:
(1) sanctions being imposed - and
(2) genocide in Darfur being officially declared.
From what I can gather, and please correct me if I am wrong, sanctions won't be effective enough to help the people in Sudan who are in need of help right now; and if genocide is "officially" declared, it will trigger large scale military intervention (which would take time to become a reality) that would have to entail the removal of the present regime in Khartoum and the capture and imprisonment of the perpetrators of the atrocities to be tried in court.
I have yet to see a report that "thinks through" the scenario - from beginning to end - of what is likely be achieved:
(1) from the time that sanctions are imposed - to the time they are lifted again;
(2) from the time that genocide is officially declared - to the time the perpetrators are captured and tried (who runs Sudan in the meantime?)
(3) what is to become of the 1m+ displaced people in the short, medium and long term If (1) and (2) are carried through and how is this all to be managed - and by whom?
(4) in reference to (1) and (2) above, how could the Peace Accord negotiations proceed, and ceasefire agreements hold? And what would be the plan in the event of a civil war starting up all over again?
As I have not yet found any explanations on the ramifications of (1) and (2), I am surprised that someone as high profile as U.S. Senator John Kerry can be so bold in his Speech on Darfur without explaining the pros and cons of his recommendation to classify Darfur as genocide, ie what role is the US to play? How many troops, if any, would President Kerry be willing to deploy? Considering that Africa is a tinderbox, what is the plan and who would carry it out? How long would the plan take to achieve, how much would it cost and where would the money come from?
I have published some posts touching on these questions (if you have time, please see my posts on the Sudan over the past few days - and just keep scrolling). I've posted almost daily since April 24, when I picked up on the story from Jim Moore's Journal out of Harvard.
Of course I don't expect you to be able any of my questions but I would be interested to have any feedback on these thoughts - and any pointers to reports that Dr Eric Reeves, or anyone else may have written that could help answer some of the questions here.
With kind regards
Ingrid Jones
England, UK
http://meandophelia,blogspot.com
PS
Today I received a comment at my blog from a complete stranger called Mike. Thought you might be interested to read it (copy below). One of the links within Mike's post leads to the following report --
"US business gears up to derail Sudan delisting law by Edward Alden in Washington and Ken Warn in Toronto, The Financial Times, June 20, 2001"::
http://southsudanfriends.org/issues/SudanDelisting.html
-- which I found rather special because it is dated one and a half years before Feb 2003 (when conflict in Darfur began) and makes me think of a question I've asked myself (ever since I started reading up on the Sudan in April) that I have not found any answers to, namely: "Why through all the years of negotiations on the Peace Accord did the US and Khartoum both see fit to exclude the western and eastern regions of Sudan?
- - -
Note: Also, I have sent a copy of the above to Patrick in the hope of getting some feedback because Patrick is very good at finding interesting reports and I agree with what he says about Mike's post.
PS Ref oil in Sudan - update from USAID: See Patrick's latest July 21 post to see why this link to "European Coalition on Oil in Sudan" is now officially the place to go for up-to-date information on oil companies still doing business in Sudan. [Good piece of good homework Patrick, thanks.]
Further reading:
July 21: "Emergency state in E. Sudan over expected 'attack' from Eritrea - Kassala State in eastern Sudan yesterday declared a state of emergency throughout the state in anticipation of an attack, which might be carried out by an armed opposition group from the territory of neighbouring Eritrea. This will increase the difficulties already facing the government in Darfur [State], western Sudan.
The state's governor, Faruq Hasan Nur, described it [the expected attack] as an Eritrean plan to see violence and instability spread in the country. He stressed that Eritrea is giving support to armed Sudanese factions and denied that the Sudanese government is backing groups opposed to the regime of [Eritrean President] Isayas Afewerki.
Meanwhile, the African Union [AU] has announced that it is making attempts to reactivate the stalled talks between Khartoum and the Darfur rebels at a time when the UN has said that attacks by Janjawid militias on African residents in Darfur are continuing. [Passage omitted] Source: Democratic Unionist Party web site, in Arabic 21 Jul 04
- - -
Further reading:
July 21: excerpt from Stephanie Ho's report: "'When we [the U.S. government] told the [American] oil companies that they had to lose their fields in Libya for some period of time because of national security issues, those companies just lost the right to operate in Libya, and that was the end of it,' she said. 'But in China, the oil industry is run by the government. It's owned by the government.'"
Posts from Passion of the Present weblog out of Harvard (provides daily postings of the latest major news re Sudan):
July 20: post: Do we have a duty to intervene?
July 20: The Passion post from the Passion: Lack of awareness of Darfur and the genocide in Sudan - Can we do more? Can the blogosphere help?
July 18: post: What you can do today to help stop the genocide in Sudan.
A powerful tool for coercing Khartoum
into stopping genocide?
The more oil that's found, the worse the violence will become?
This morning, Patrick Hall at The Horn of Africa kindly emailed me to say he has been reading a post by Mike, at Blog for Arizona, on the relationship between oil and the wars in Sudan. Apart from a few points, Patrick finds it quite convincing. Me too. The post links to some very interesting PDF files. I'm glad Patrick thought to drop me a line about it because I'd spent most of yesterday reading the same post that Mike had pointed out in his comment at this blog.
In Mike's post entitled "Powell's Sudanese Farce", he writes: "aspirations of independence are still alive in the South. Fear of that persistent desire and its attendant loss of vital resources, especially oil, is the major reason for the ongoing ethnic violence. The more reserves which are found, the worse the violence will become. Khartoum perceives a need to remove southern Sudanese from the regions surrounding this natural bounty, so that the wealth the oil produces cannot be denied to the government. Khartoum is terrified of a partitioned Sudan which leaves the north resource-poor, cut off from the productive lands of the south and unable to access its tremendous water and oil resources. In the last few years the pogrom has intensified and become more persistent, more violent, and more organized. The clear and simple reason is that in 2000 the recently discovered oil reserves of the south (PDF) were brought into production, providing Khartoum with the means and motive to expand their program terror and genocide in the south, especially against those live on or near the active oil fields."
If I had more time today, there's a lot more of Mike's post I'd like to quote from. Here are a few examples: "The tie between the oil resources of the south and the ethnic cleansing is the Gordian knot which must be cut to bring relative peace to Sudan. To force Khartoum to stop killing the people of the south, one would have to threaten their beneficial use of Sudan’s oil resources. That is exactly what the Sudan Peace Act (PDF) of 2002 was intended to do. Sections 8 and 9 of the House version of that bill would have made effective the embargoes imposed by Executive Order in 1997 by President Clinton, and maintained in force every year since."
This line of Mike's, I found especially interesting: "Only threatening their oil revenues will force Khartoum to stop the violence. A ghostly echo of the critical role of oil remains in Section 8 of the enacted version, stripped of context and bereft of all force by fiat of President Bush. Using oil production to stop the genocide would be highly effective, but it would also mean a potential loss of hundreds of millions of dollars for the oil companies currently producing and exploring in Sudan.
If what Mike is saying is true, my new question is: are the US, UN and EU pushing for ways to threaten Sudan's oil revenues, if that's what will force Khartoum to stop the violence?
- - -
I've not yet had a chance to email Mike to thank him for his comment and post because yesterday I also received an email from Tom Pravda, out of the blue, who, like Mike, is another blogger new to me. I spent most of yesterday reading Mike's post and replying to Tom's email. Visitors are expected here tomorrow and Friday and I cannot spend the time I'd need to write a fresh post on the above. So, instead, I am copying the emails here.
I'd be most grateful for any feedback on Mike's post, and my email to Tom, as I hope to post further on defining what activists are hoping to achieve by pushing for UN sanctions against Sudan, secession, and for Genocide in Sudan to be declared .
Mike authors BlogForArizona: Grassroots Democrats. Here is a copy of the comment he yesterday here at this blog:
I wrote an article about the genocide and impact
of the gutting of the Sudan Peace Act by the Bush
Administration in 2002. No one seems to talk about
putting pressure on Sudan where it will hurt the
most since Bush killed very a effective method of
embargo in that bill. It seems that the oil
companies involved in development and exploration
in Sudan have effectively buried the strongest
tool we have to stop the killing.
http://dean4az.blogspot.com/2004/07/powells-sudanese-farce_01.html
Here is a copy of Tom's email to me. I am copying it here in full because it contains several useful links and leads to info on the die-in being held in Washington tomorrow:
On 20 Jul 2004, at 17:58, Tom Pravda wrote:
Dear Ingrid,
I came across your blog while looking for information about activism on Darfur in the UK.
I thought you, personally, might be interested in a new website we've set up on the "genocide" in Darfur. If you like what the site's trying to do, I was hoping you might post something about it and/or link to it from your blog. It's rather US focused at the moment (though we've had signups from the UK and Israel) but we're hoping to make it a global thing.
It's www.darfurgenocide.org
And we've got daily-updated news feeds and links to all the best press coverage, NGO reports and governmental statements etc., at www.darfurgenocide.org/info.htm
There's also links to slide shows and video footage: www.darfurgenocide.org/video.htm
People can sign international petitions calling on the international community to launch a humanitarian interevention, or mandate the International Criminal Court to investigate those responsible for the genocide:
www.darfurgenocide.org/action.htm
People can also sign up to organize events, raise money etc. in their town/city, www.darfurgenocide.org/localprotest.htm
People can donate to provide humanitarian aid or support advocacy efforts: www.darfurgenocide.org/donate.htm
I hope you'll take a few moments to look through it, perhaps get involved in some way, and consider either posting a comment about it, or providing a link (or both).
Best wishes, Tom Pravda, www.therespublica.org
Here is a copy of my reply to Tom:
Dear Tom,
Thank you for your email.
It was a wonderful surprise to hear from you.
I was already aware of the darfur genocide site and had already made mention of it and published news of the die-in.
Thanks for sending me the link to Res Public which I've now visited and glanced through (looks good - impressive three profiles - you all sound very interesting)
I'm so pleased you've made contact as it gives me an opportunity to give you some feedback in this reply and raise a few issues.
Firstly, for some unknown reason when I first found the darfur genocide site, my browser refused to capture the URL on your site. I was not able to provide a direct link to your site in my blog.
I've checked it out again today, and am still unable to capture the URL link.
I have a new Apple Mac PowerBook G4 with Safari browser, and have not encountered such a problem with any other site.
Secondly, I was curious to know how websites like yours get to know when another site is linking.
Weblogs have great services like Technorati, Feedster and Bloglines that tell us bloggers when other blogs are linking to us - which gives great feedback and a sense of community.
Hey, maybe each of you would consider starting a personal weblog: they're easy to start up and are completely free of charge over at Blogger.com :-)
Thirdly, there is something I've been mulling over that I cannot find the answers and was thinking how good it would be to be able to chew it over with someone who might know the answers to some of my questions.
Hey presto your email arrived. Seems you are the perfect person for me to ask. Here goes:
I am not an activist and so I have no understanding of what the activists campaigning for the Sudan are trying to achieve.
While I applaud all those who are pushing for "action" to help the people of Sudan, I can't seem to find any reports spelling out and making clear what exactly it is that they expect, and hope to have happen, as a result of:
(1) sanctions being imposed - and
(2) genocide in Darfur being officially declared.
From what I can gather, and please correct me if I am wrong, sanctions won't be effective enough to help the people in Sudan who are in need of help right now; and if genocide is "officially" declared, it will trigger large scale military intervention (which would take time to become a reality) that would have to entail the removal of the present regime in Khartoum and the capture and imprisonment of the perpetrators of the atrocities to be tried in court.
I have yet to see a report that "thinks through" the scenario - from beginning to end - of what is likely be achieved:
(1) from the time that sanctions are imposed - to the time they are lifted again;
(2) from the time that genocide is officially declared - to the time the perpetrators are captured and tried (who runs Sudan in the meantime?)
(3) what is to become of the 1m+ displaced people in the short, medium and long term If (1) and (2) are carried through and how is this all to be managed - and by whom?
(4) in reference to (1) and (2) above, how could the Peace Accord negotiations proceed, and ceasefire agreements hold? And what would be the plan in the event of a civil war starting up all over again?
As I have not yet found any explanations on the ramifications of (1) and (2), I am surprised that someone as high profile as U.S. Senator John Kerry can be so bold in his Speech on Darfur without explaining the pros and cons of his recommendation to classify Darfur as genocide, ie what role is the US to play? How many troops, if any, would President Kerry be willing to deploy? Considering that Africa is a tinderbox, what is the plan and who would carry it out? How long would the plan take to achieve, how much would it cost and where would the money come from?
I have published some posts touching on these questions (if you have time, please see my posts on the Sudan over the past few days - and just keep scrolling). I've posted almost daily since April 24, when I picked up on the story from Jim Moore's Journal out of Harvard.
Of course I don't expect you to be able any of my questions but I would be interested to have any feedback on these thoughts - and any pointers to reports that Dr Eric Reeves, or anyone else may have written that could help answer some of the questions here.
With kind regards
Ingrid Jones
England, UK
http://meandophelia,blogspot.com
PS
Today I received a comment at my blog from a complete stranger called Mike. Thought you might be interested to read it (copy below). One of the links within Mike's post leads to the following report --
"US business gears up to derail Sudan delisting law by Edward Alden in Washington and Ken Warn in Toronto, The Financial Times, June 20, 2001"::
http://southsudanfriends.org/issues/SudanDelisting.html
-- which I found rather special because it is dated one and a half years before Feb 2003 (when conflict in Darfur began) and makes me think of a question I've asked myself (ever since I started reading up on the Sudan in April) that I have not found any answers to, namely: "Why through all the years of negotiations on the Peace Accord did the US and Khartoum both see fit to exclude the western and eastern regions of Sudan?
- - -
Note: Also, I have sent a copy of the above to Patrick in the hope of getting some feedback because Patrick is very good at finding interesting reports and I agree with what he says about Mike's post.
PS Ref oil in Sudan - update from USAID: See Patrick's latest July 21 post to see why this link to "European Coalition on Oil in Sudan" is now officially the place to go for up-to-date information on oil companies still doing business in Sudan. [Good piece of good homework Patrick, thanks.]
Further reading:
July 21: "Emergency state in E. Sudan over expected 'attack' from Eritrea - Kassala State in eastern Sudan yesterday declared a state of emergency throughout the state in anticipation of an attack, which might be carried out by an armed opposition group from the territory of neighbouring Eritrea. This will increase the difficulties already facing the government in Darfur [State], western Sudan.
The state's governor, Faruq Hasan Nur, described it [the expected attack] as an Eritrean plan to see violence and instability spread in the country. He stressed that Eritrea is giving support to armed Sudanese factions and denied that the Sudanese government is backing groups opposed to the regime of [Eritrean President] Isayas Afewerki.
Meanwhile, the African Union [AU] has announced that it is making attempts to reactivate the stalled talks between Khartoum and the Darfur rebels at a time when the UN has said that attacks by Janjawid militias on African residents in Darfur are continuing. [Passage omitted] Source: Democratic Unionist Party web site, in Arabic 21 Jul 04
- - -
Further reading:
July 21: excerpt from Stephanie Ho's report: "'When we [the U.S. government] told the [American] oil companies that they had to lose their fields in Libya for some period of time because of national security issues, those companies just lost the right to operate in Libya, and that was the end of it,' she said. 'But in China, the oil industry is run by the government. It's owned by the government.'"
Posts from Passion of the Present weblog out of Harvard (provides daily postings of the latest major news re Sudan):
July 20: post: Do we have a duty to intervene?
July 20: The Passion post from the Passion: Lack of awareness of Darfur and the genocide in Sudan - Can we do more? Can the blogosphere help?
July 18: post: What you can do today to help stop the genocide in Sudan.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/21/2004
- - -
DJIBOUTI:
U.S. long-term Africa intelligence base
Thanks to a post at Karmalised, I found the following report from afrol.com. Here is a copy of the report, in full:
Djibouti since June 2002 is hosting 1800 US soldiers that are busy building a permanent military base to coordinate intelligence operations on the Horn and East Africa. Numerous US operations are already interfering with the aims of Muslim societies in the region.
The American military base at Djibouti's ex-French post Camp Lemonier is increasingly present in US media. Here, "the quiet battle" in the war against terrorism is waged by a new US military anti-terrorism taskforce, visiting American journalists conclude. The Djibouti base is turning into the most strategic cell in the US-led war against Muslim terrorists and alleged terrorists.
The US news agency 'Associated Press' (AP) recently sent its journalist Chris Tomlinson to Camp Lemonier in Djibouti, or what he calls "the heart of the Bush administration's quiet battle against Islamist militants operating in six nations in East Africa and in Yemen," from Kenya to Sudan.
The journalist observed great activity at the US base, where soldiers still sleep in tents. Great resources are however spent to upgrade the former French Foreign Legion post and the US troops leave no doubt that they intent to stay for a long time in Djibouti.
We are the gathering point and dissemination point for all information, Commander Cooper told the AP journalist. "We are empowering host nations to retake neighbourhoods that people are trying to take from them," added Brigadier-General Martin Robeson, referring to Muslim groups. Mr Robeson is the commander of the US task force in Djibouti.
The soldiers interviewed confirm that the US troops stationed in Djibouti are active in all the countries of the region, primarily coordinating intelligence work between Washington, military and civilian US representations in the region and the cooperating governments of the Horn. They claim to have disrupted several terrorist plots during their stay in Djibouti.
The US troops in Djibouti however also are directly involved in what normally is considered within the sovereignty of independent states. This includes border security and coastal security for the countries of the Horn.
Fishermen from the Somali southern city of Raas Kambooni this week learned what the US troops in Djibouti mean with coastal security assistance. According to the newspaper 'Houg Ogal', the fishermen had stumbled onto US intelligence cameras and other electronic devices, installed on the depopulated rocky island of Burr Gaabo near the Kenyan borders, but within Somali territorial waters.
In Kenya, the coastal town of Lamu currently again is experiencing a large joint Kenyan-US military exercise. According to the Kenyan Department of Defence, the US troops involved are part of the anti-terrorism task force for the Horn of Africa, based in Djibouti. The Kenyan-US anti-terrorism exercise is the fourth within short time.
Especially in Somalia and Kenya, the US troops believe to find essential links to their main enemy, the al-Qaeda terrorist network. Somalia has been without a central government for 12 years and a group connected with al-Qaeda in the 1990s temporarily established here. Its stronghold was in Raas Kambooni - where local fishermen now find electronic surveillance devices.
Kenya is the African country where most terrorist attacks have taken place. The US troops therefore keep an extra eye on this country, counting on total collaboration from Nairobi authorities. General Robeson in Djibouti claims that "hundreds of new al-Qaeda members have been recruited" in Kenya, "despite stepped-up anti-terrorism efforts."
But this alleged new recruitment of al-Qaeda members in the region has also been termed a failure of the US military taskforce in Djibouti. Analysts interviewed by the Nairobi-based 'East African' say that the US administration has "failed to respond appropriately to the election of a reform-minded president in Kenya."
Washington's rhetoric proved largely hollow, the Kenyan analysts added. While the military cooperation between the US and Kenya is booming, the chance to improve Kenyans' lives under the new government of President Mwai Kibaki, supporting his economic and social reforms, has been largely missed by Washington.
With misery still prevailing in Africa's Horn and Kenya, recruitment for Islamist extremists will not diminish, regional critics hold.
- - -
ASSISTANCE NEEDED -
"No violence required"
Interesting post at Karmalised blog entitled: "Assistance needed- "No violence required" by Diane Warth. On July 18, I left the following comment over at Karmalised, a blog I found in Jim Moore's list of blog links at Technorati. I often check his list because I figure the bloggers who are linking to Jim's Journal and Passion of the Present weblog on the Sudan will be likeminded:
Diane, very interesting post, thank you. I've spent about an hour here reading it but will have to come back later to digest more. I've been following the Sudan crisis closely since April 24 when I picked up on the story from Jim Moore's Journal out of Harvard. Looking forward to seeing more posts on the Sudan here, especially towards the end of this month when I feel things should start moving a lot quicker. I'd be interested to read what you think about the aid agencies effort so far. I'm appalled that the WFP are now saying they have only half the amount of food they need to feed one camp. Next week they are air dropping 1,400 tons into Darfur but don't explain who is on the ground to pick it up and distribute it in an area that is said to be becoming impassable because of the (long-forecasted) rainy season. Also why Jan Egeland says on the one hand that access is not really a problem - he says it's financial (blaming donors) but on the other hand he says the situation in Darfur may be getting too dangerous for aid workers (blaming GoS for not doing enough). The UN and international aid agencies have had 16 months of warning on this conflict and decades of expertise. What exactly is their problem do you think? I'd be interested to read your views on why in this day and age the multi billion dollar business of getting aid to those who need it most is still failing and why they are getting away with it - where is the accountability? Is anyone else asking these questions? Thanks again.
- - -
FACT OF THE DAY - JULY 21
Courtesy Scotsman.com
Today in 1994 Tony Blair became the youngest man to be elected leader of the Labour Party. He promised "new politics to take us into a new millennium".
DJIBOUTI:
U.S. long-term Africa intelligence base
Thanks to a post at Karmalised, I found the following report from afrol.com. Here is a copy of the report, in full:
Djibouti since June 2002 is hosting 1800 US soldiers that are busy building a permanent military base to coordinate intelligence operations on the Horn and East Africa. Numerous US operations are already interfering with the aims of Muslim societies in the region.
The American military base at Djibouti's ex-French post Camp Lemonier is increasingly present in US media. Here, "the quiet battle" in the war against terrorism is waged by a new US military anti-terrorism taskforce, visiting American journalists conclude. The Djibouti base is turning into the most strategic cell in the US-led war against Muslim terrorists and alleged terrorists.
The US news agency 'Associated Press' (AP) recently sent its journalist Chris Tomlinson to Camp Lemonier in Djibouti, or what he calls "the heart of the Bush administration's quiet battle against Islamist militants operating in six nations in East Africa and in Yemen," from Kenya to Sudan.
The journalist observed great activity at the US base, where soldiers still sleep in tents. Great resources are however spent to upgrade the former French Foreign Legion post and the US troops leave no doubt that they intent to stay for a long time in Djibouti.
We are the gathering point and dissemination point for all information, Commander Cooper told the AP journalist. "We are empowering host nations to retake neighbourhoods that people are trying to take from them," added Brigadier-General Martin Robeson, referring to Muslim groups. Mr Robeson is the commander of the US task force in Djibouti.
The soldiers interviewed confirm that the US troops stationed in Djibouti are active in all the countries of the region, primarily coordinating intelligence work between Washington, military and civilian US representations in the region and the cooperating governments of the Horn. They claim to have disrupted several terrorist plots during their stay in Djibouti.
The US troops in Djibouti however also are directly involved in what normally is considered within the sovereignty of independent states. This includes border security and coastal security for the countries of the Horn.
Fishermen from the Somali southern city of Raas Kambooni this week learned what the US troops in Djibouti mean with coastal security assistance. According to the newspaper 'Houg Ogal', the fishermen had stumbled onto US intelligence cameras and other electronic devices, installed on the depopulated rocky island of Burr Gaabo near the Kenyan borders, but within Somali territorial waters.
In Kenya, the coastal town of Lamu currently again is experiencing a large joint Kenyan-US military exercise. According to the Kenyan Department of Defence, the US troops involved are part of the anti-terrorism task force for the Horn of Africa, based in Djibouti. The Kenyan-US anti-terrorism exercise is the fourth within short time.
Especially in Somalia and Kenya, the US troops believe to find essential links to their main enemy, the al-Qaeda terrorist network. Somalia has been without a central government for 12 years and a group connected with al-Qaeda in the 1990s temporarily established here. Its stronghold was in Raas Kambooni - where local fishermen now find electronic surveillance devices.
Kenya is the African country where most terrorist attacks have taken place. The US troops therefore keep an extra eye on this country, counting on total collaboration from Nairobi authorities. General Robeson in Djibouti claims that "hundreds of new al-Qaeda members have been recruited" in Kenya, "despite stepped-up anti-terrorism efforts."
But this alleged new recruitment of al-Qaeda members in the region has also been termed a failure of the US military taskforce in Djibouti. Analysts interviewed by the Nairobi-based 'East African' say that the US administration has "failed to respond appropriately to the election of a reform-minded president in Kenya."
Washington's rhetoric proved largely hollow, the Kenyan analysts added. While the military cooperation between the US and Kenya is booming, the chance to improve Kenyans' lives under the new government of President Mwai Kibaki, supporting his economic and social reforms, has been largely missed by Washington.
With misery still prevailing in Africa's Horn and Kenya, recruitment for Islamist extremists will not diminish, regional critics hold.
- - -
ASSISTANCE NEEDED -
"No violence required"
Interesting post at Karmalised blog entitled: "Assistance needed- "No violence required" by Diane Warth. On July 18, I left the following comment over at Karmalised, a blog I found in Jim Moore's list of blog links at Technorati. I often check his list because I figure the bloggers who are linking to Jim's Journal and Passion of the Present weblog on the Sudan will be likeminded:
Diane, very interesting post, thank you. I've spent about an hour here reading it but will have to come back later to digest more. I've been following the Sudan crisis closely since April 24 when I picked up on the story from Jim Moore's Journal out of Harvard. Looking forward to seeing more posts on the Sudan here, especially towards the end of this month when I feel things should start moving a lot quicker. I'd be interested to read what you think about the aid agencies effort so far. I'm appalled that the WFP are now saying they have only half the amount of food they need to feed one camp. Next week they are air dropping 1,400 tons into Darfur but don't explain who is on the ground to pick it up and distribute it in an area that is said to be becoming impassable because of the (long-forecasted) rainy season. Also why Jan Egeland says on the one hand that access is not really a problem - he says it's financial (blaming donors) but on the other hand he says the situation in Darfur may be getting too dangerous for aid workers (blaming GoS for not doing enough). The UN and international aid agencies have had 16 months of warning on this conflict and decades of expertise. What exactly is their problem do you think? I'd be interested to read your views on why in this day and age the multi billion dollar business of getting aid to those who need it most is still failing and why they are getting away with it - where is the accountability? Is anyone else asking these questions? Thanks again.
- - -
FACT OF THE DAY - JULY 21
Courtesy Scotsman.com
Today in 1994 Tony Blair became the youngest man to be elected leader of the Labour Party. He promised "new politics to take us into a new millennium".
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/21/2004
- - -
WESTERN PAPERS SEE U.N. AUTHORISED INTERVENTION
As the only way to avoid "another Rwanda"
The collapse of the peace talks between the Sudanese government and rebels from Darfur has prompted comment in newspapers across the world. A report from the BBC says the situation in Darfur has been described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis at present, and papers express concern that things are now likely to get worse.
Some Western papers see UN-authorised intervention as the only way to avoid what they call "another Rwanda"." Read more in the BBC's excellent world news round-up on Sudan.
- - -
Pro-government militia in south Sudan vows to fight for survival:
July 18: Pro-government militia in southern Sudan which could be outlawed under a peace deal aimed at ending more than two decades of conflict has warned it will fight for its survival.
- - -
Sudan sets up groups to probe rapes in Darfur:
Khartoum, under global pressure to end violence in its western provinces, ordered on Saturday that committees of female judges, police officers and legal consultants investigate rape accusations and help victims through criminal cases. Thank you to my reader Clive Summerfield for emailing me the BBC report: "Rape 'a weapon' in Sudan war". I'll post more on this at a later date. Note [insert link] Amnesty International documents rape as tool of war in Darfur and Sudan's ambassador in Lebanon says only 2 cases occurred.
July 19: Darfur documents confirm Sudan's government policy of militia support.
- - -
Sudan militiamen face amputations:
BBC report: Ten members of Sudan's pro-government militia have been sentenced to have a hand and a foot amputated for their role in attacks in Darfur.
- - -
Rebels attacked a relief convoy in Darfur yesterday:
July 21:: Nine Sudanese Soldiers, 29 Rebels Die in Darfur Clash. Nine of the dead were military escorts and the others were rebels. The attack occurred Monday at Ambru in the north of the western province.
The incident was confirmed by Sudan's Humanitarian Affairs Ministry, which didn't give casualty figures, AFP reported. It brought to 109 the number of rebel violations of a cease-fire in force since April, AFP said.
- - -
UK cash pours in for Darfur appeal:
July 21: Donations have flooded in to a UK appeal to help the Sudan humanitarian crisis - raising £2.5m the first night. Some 4,000 phone lines manned by volunteers were jammed from 6.30pm on Tuesday until midnight. The average donation so far has been £44 - the amount needed to feed a family of five for two months.
The appeal, launched by actress Joanna Lumley, aims to help up to one million black Africans who have been driven from their homes in Darfur by Arab militias, allegedly backed by the Sudanese government. Brendan Gormley, chief executive of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which is organising the appeal, called it "a tremendous response".
Mr Gormley said: "The British public have obviously been touched by the plight of the refugees and have responded by donating generously.
July 21: Blair Blasts Sudan for Ethnic Cleansing in Darfur.
WESTERN PAPERS SEE U.N. AUTHORISED INTERVENTION
As the only way to avoid "another Rwanda"
The collapse of the peace talks between the Sudanese government and rebels from Darfur has prompted comment in newspapers across the world. A report from the BBC says the situation in Darfur has been described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis at present, and papers express concern that things are now likely to get worse.
Some Western papers see UN-authorised intervention as the only way to avoid what they call "another Rwanda"." Read more in the BBC's excellent world news round-up on Sudan.
- - -
Pro-government militia in south Sudan vows to fight for survival:
July 18: Pro-government militia in southern Sudan which could be outlawed under a peace deal aimed at ending more than two decades of conflict has warned it will fight for its survival.
- - -
Sudan sets up groups to probe rapes in Darfur:
Khartoum, under global pressure to end violence in its western provinces, ordered on Saturday that committees of female judges, police officers and legal consultants investigate rape accusations and help victims through criminal cases. Thank you to my reader Clive Summerfield for emailing me the BBC report: "Rape 'a weapon' in Sudan war". I'll post more on this at a later date. Note [insert link] Amnesty International documents rape as tool of war in Darfur and Sudan's ambassador in Lebanon says only 2 cases occurred.
July 19: Darfur documents confirm Sudan's government policy of militia support.
- - -
Sudan militiamen face amputations:
BBC report: Ten members of Sudan's pro-government militia have been sentenced to have a hand and a foot amputated for their role in attacks in Darfur.
- - -
Rebels attacked a relief convoy in Darfur yesterday:
July 21:: Nine Sudanese Soldiers, 29 Rebels Die in Darfur Clash. Nine of the dead were military escorts and the others were rebels. The attack occurred Monday at Ambru in the north of the western province.
The incident was confirmed by Sudan's Humanitarian Affairs Ministry, which didn't give casualty figures, AFP reported. It brought to 109 the number of rebel violations of a cease-fire in force since April, AFP said.
- - -
UK cash pours in for Darfur appeal:
July 21: Donations have flooded in to a UK appeal to help the Sudan humanitarian crisis - raising £2.5m the first night. Some 4,000 phone lines manned by volunteers were jammed from 6.30pm on Tuesday until midnight. The average donation so far has been £44 - the amount needed to feed a family of five for two months.
The appeal, launched by actress Joanna Lumley, aims to help up to one million black Africans who have been driven from their homes in Darfur by Arab militias, allegedly backed by the Sudanese government. Brendan Gormley, chief executive of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which is organising the appeal, called it "a tremendous response".
Mr Gormley said: "The British public have obviously been touched by the plight of the refugees and have responded by donating generously.
July 21: Blair Blasts Sudan for Ethnic Cleansing in Darfur.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/21/2004
- - -
WITH PEACE, THE "NEW SUDAN" WILL HAVE ITS OWN CURRENCY
Rumbek may be capital of autonomous southern Sudan
July 19: When the (still to be finalised) Peace Accords take effect, the "New Sudan" will have its own currency: the New Sudan Pound (NSP).
It will also have its own flag, license plates and a system for the collection of taxes.
Under the provisions of the July 2002 accords signed (and still being negotiated* - the south of Sudan will benefit from a six-year interim period of autonomy before its citizens vote on whether or not to remain part of Sudan.
Rumbek is likely to become the capital of the autonomous southern Sudan.
"Hundred and two hundred notes of the NSP have already been printed and 10, 20 and 50 NSP coins are ready," said the manager of the Nile Commercial Bank which opened its doors in Rubek on May 30. So far, the bank has no computers, telephone lines or electricity, but 60 people have opened an account.
Currently, transactions in the southern part of the country are conducted in Kenyan and Ugandan shillings and American dollars, but never in the Sudan dinar, the legal tender of the northern part of the country.
Very few countries allow the circulation of more than one currency, the very symbol of national sovereignty. "We are going to be like China," said Samson Arap, manager of the bank, explaining that the Hong Kong and Taiwanese dollars and the Chinese yuan are all accepted currencies in the world's largest country.
WITH PEACE, THE "NEW SUDAN" WILL HAVE ITS OWN CURRENCY
Rumbek may be capital of autonomous southern Sudan
July 19: When the (still to be finalised) Peace Accords take effect, the "New Sudan" will have its own currency: the New Sudan Pound (NSP).
It will also have its own flag, license plates and a system for the collection of taxes.
Under the provisions of the July 2002 accords signed (and still being negotiated* - the south of Sudan will benefit from a six-year interim period of autonomy before its citizens vote on whether or not to remain part of Sudan.
Rumbek is likely to become the capital of the autonomous southern Sudan.
"Hundred and two hundred notes of the NSP have already been printed and 10, 20 and 50 NSP coins are ready," said the manager of the Nile Commercial Bank which opened its doors in Rubek on May 30. So far, the bank has no computers, telephone lines or electricity, but 60 people have opened an account.
Currently, transactions in the southern part of the country are conducted in Kenyan and Ugandan shillings and American dollars, but never in the Sudan dinar, the legal tender of the northern part of the country.
Very few countries allow the circulation of more than one currency, the very symbol of national sovereignty. "We are going to be like China," said Samson Arap, manager of the bank, explaining that the Hong Kong and Taiwanese dollars and the Chinese yuan are all accepted currencies in the world's largest country.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/21/2004
- - -
NEW KENYA-SUDAN RAILWAY 2.96 BILLION USD
German consortium to soon start 3,000 km construction
For those of you who have been following the comings and goings of politicians from all around the world meeting with the Sudanese government in Khartoum, the following report may explain one of the reasons why "high ranking" German officials have been attending so many meetings with Sudanese government officials in Khartoum and Germany:
July 19: -- "A German consortium will undertake the construction of a 3,000-km railway line linking Kenya and southern Sudan, Kenyan newspaper East African Standard reported Monday.
Kenyan Planning and National Development Minister Anyang Nyong's was quoted as saying that the 237-billion-shilling (2.96 billionUS dollars) project would begin soon and the German investor has visited Kenya to inspect the project after his recent tour of Germany.
Nyong's announcement came shortly after the consortium, led by a leading German railway construction firm, Thormaehlen Schweisstechnik AG, presented a proposal to the Kenyan government in pursuit of the concessioning of the Kenya and Uganda railways.
The German entrepreneur and owner of the investing firm, Klaus Thormaehlen, has reportedly held consultations with top Kenyan officials and the Kenya Railways management, which centered on theoverhauling of the country's century-old meter gauge railway network to a much more practical standard gauge.
The railway line connecting Kenya, Uganda and Sudan would ensure fast transportation of oil in the region and boost trade, Nyong's said."
[Note: insert here, later on, collection of reports on meetings between German officials and Khartoum]
NEW KENYA-SUDAN RAILWAY 2.96 BILLION USD
German consortium to soon start 3,000 km construction
For those of you who have been following the comings and goings of politicians from all around the world meeting with the Sudanese government in Khartoum, the following report may explain one of the reasons why "high ranking" German officials have been attending so many meetings with Sudanese government officials in Khartoum and Germany:
July 19: -- "A German consortium will undertake the construction of a 3,000-km railway line linking Kenya and southern Sudan, Kenyan newspaper East African Standard reported Monday.
Kenyan Planning and National Development Minister Anyang Nyong's was quoted as saying that the 237-billion-shilling (2.96 billionUS dollars) project would begin soon and the German investor has visited Kenya to inspect the project after his recent tour of Germany.
Nyong's announcement came shortly after the consortium, led by a leading German railway construction firm, Thormaehlen Schweisstechnik AG, presented a proposal to the Kenyan government in pursuit of the concessioning of the Kenya and Uganda railways.
The German entrepreneur and owner of the investing firm, Klaus Thormaehlen, has reportedly held consultations with top Kenyan officials and the Kenya Railways management, which centered on theoverhauling of the country's century-old meter gauge railway network to a much more practical standard gauge.
The railway line connecting Kenya, Uganda and Sudan would ensure fast transportation of oil in the region and boost trade, Nyong's said."
[Note: insert here, later on, collection of reports on meetings between German officials and Khartoum]
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/21/2004
- - -
12 NEW MIG FIGHTERS FOR SUDAN
Russia speeds up order at request of Sudanese Government
Further to my post dated July 11, 2004 re Sudan's 12 new MiG fighters, the following report says the contract was signed in late 2001, for completion by the end of 2004, but the Sudanese government "desired to speed up this process":
Excerpt from July 21 News from Russia report:
"Today, the Russian aircraft manufacturing corporation MiG is to accomplish a contract on supplies of 12 MiG-29 fighters to Sudan, Yury Chervakov, the head of the corporation's press service, told RBC. The contract signed in late 2001 envisaged the delivery of 10 MiG-29SE fighters, two MiG-29UBs and different types of special equipment to Sudan.
According to Chervakov, the last two MiG-29SEs will be sent to Sudan on board a cargo aircraft from the Tretyakovo airfield in the Moscow region. Chervakov noted that the contract was to be completed by the end of 2004, however the Sudanese government desired to speed up this process."
Update: July 22: July 22: Amnesty International on Wednesday blasted Russia for shipping warplanes to Sudan. In a rare news conference Wednesday, the Sudanese amabassador to Moscow said his country was "very satisfied" with Russia for filling a 12-ject order five months ahead of schedule.
- - -
My note: The Western world is busting its gut to pay for and get food and assistance to 1m+ refugees in Chad and Sudan. Bashir and his gang must think we're mugs that are soft in the head. Bet they are laughing all the way to to the bank. How much do 12 MiGs cost? And how much does it cost to feed one million displaced people from Sudan?
12 NEW MIG FIGHTERS FOR SUDAN
Russia speeds up order at request of Sudanese Government
Further to my post dated July 11, 2004 re Sudan's 12 new MiG fighters, the following report says the contract was signed in late 2001, for completion by the end of 2004, but the Sudanese government "desired to speed up this process":
Excerpt from July 21 News from Russia report:
"Today, the Russian aircraft manufacturing corporation MiG is to accomplish a contract on supplies of 12 MiG-29 fighters to Sudan, Yury Chervakov, the head of the corporation's press service, told RBC. The contract signed in late 2001 envisaged the delivery of 10 MiG-29SE fighters, two MiG-29UBs and different types of special equipment to Sudan.
According to Chervakov, the last two MiG-29SEs will be sent to Sudan on board a cargo aircraft from the Tretyakovo airfield in the Moscow region. Chervakov noted that the contract was to be completed by the end of 2004, however the Sudanese government desired to speed up this process."
Update: July 22: July 22: Amnesty International on Wednesday blasted Russia for shipping warplanes to Sudan. In a rare news conference Wednesday, the Sudanese amabassador to Moscow said his country was "very satisfied" with Russia for filling a 12-ject order five months ahead of schedule.
- - -
My note: The Western world is busting its gut to pay for and get food and assistance to 1m+ refugees in Chad and Sudan. Bashir and his gang must think we're mugs that are soft in the head. Bet they are laughing all the way to to the bank. How much do 12 MiGs cost? And how much does it cost to feed one million displaced people from Sudan?
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/21/2004
Sunday, July 18, 2004
BROCCOLI PLUS TOMATO
Beats cancer drug
In today's Sunday Times it was reported that a combination of broccoli and tomatoes eaten together may become the latest strategy in the fight against cancer. Researchers have found that eating the vegetables at the same time was better at preventing prostate tumours than consuming them separately. It was also found to be even more successful than a new anti-cancer drug that is being developed.
The findings, by researchers at the University of Illinois in America, support theories that chemicals in different foods interact to preserve health. Scientists believe that lycopene, which turns tomatoes red, and glucuosinolates, contained in broccoli, are responsible for the beneficial effects but have so far been unable to replicate their effects in supplement pills.
- - -
MY BABY BROTHER
Ed Zachary Disease
My only sibling is a brother. He is five years younger and we are quite different in a lot of respects. He leads a very active life, is a great father to his two teenage children, works hard and seldom makes time for computers. He never reads my blog and rarely emails. When he does email, it's always about something that makes him laugh, because he knows I'll laugh.
Even though our tastes in jokes are poles apart, he knows that I know what makes him laugh. And he knows that when I hear him laughing, it makes me laugh. He's always clowning around and speaking English with a foreign accent. You can be having a serious conversation with him and, out nowhere (especially if he doesn't know what to answer) he'll say something extremely pertinent and witty in a foreign accent. No country in particular. He mimics them all. He loves Monty Python and Black Adder. And does a great impression of the Spanish waiter in Fawlty Towers. Watching him do Ozzy Osbourne walking and talking is a scream. Here's what he emailed me today, which I know he found VERY funny.
Ed Zachary Disease
A woman was very distraught over the fact that she had not had a date or any sex for over 5 years.
She was afraid she might have something wrong with her, so she decided to seek the medical expertise of the well known Chinese sex therapist, Dr. Chang.
Upon entering the examination room, Dr. Chang said, "OK, take off all your crose."
The woman did as she was told.
"Now, get down and craw reery, reery fass to odderside of room."
Again, the woman did as she was instructed.
Dr. Chang then said, "OK, now craw reery, reery fass back to me."
As she did, Dr. Chang shook his head slowly. "Your probrem vewy bad.
You haf Ed Zachary Disease. Worse case I ever see. Dat why you not haf sex or dates."
The woman asked anxiously, "Oh my God, Dr. Chang, what is Ed Zachary Disease?"
Dr. Chang sighed deeply and replied, "Ed Zachary Disease is when your face look Ed Zachary like your ass."
Beats cancer drug
In today's Sunday Times it was reported that a combination of broccoli and tomatoes eaten together may become the latest strategy in the fight against cancer. Researchers have found that eating the vegetables at the same time was better at preventing prostate tumours than consuming them separately. It was also found to be even more successful than a new anti-cancer drug that is being developed.
The findings, by researchers at the University of Illinois in America, support theories that chemicals in different foods interact to preserve health. Scientists believe that lycopene, which turns tomatoes red, and glucuosinolates, contained in broccoli, are responsible for the beneficial effects but have so far been unable to replicate their effects in supplement pills.
- - -
MY BABY BROTHER
Ed Zachary Disease
My only sibling is a brother. He is five years younger and we are quite different in a lot of respects. He leads a very active life, is a great father to his two teenage children, works hard and seldom makes time for computers. He never reads my blog and rarely emails. When he does email, it's always about something that makes him laugh, because he knows I'll laugh.
Even though our tastes in jokes are poles apart, he knows that I know what makes him laugh. And he knows that when I hear him laughing, it makes me laugh. He's always clowning around and speaking English with a foreign accent. You can be having a serious conversation with him and, out nowhere (especially if he doesn't know what to answer) he'll say something extremely pertinent and witty in a foreign accent. No country in particular. He mimics them all. He loves Monty Python and Black Adder. And does a great impression of the Spanish waiter in Fawlty Towers. Watching him do Ozzy Osbourne walking and talking is a scream. Here's what he emailed me today, which I know he found VERY funny.
Ed Zachary Disease
A woman was very distraught over the fact that she had not had a date or any sex for over 5 years.
She was afraid she might have something wrong with her, so she decided to seek the medical expertise of the well known Chinese sex therapist, Dr. Chang.
Upon entering the examination room, Dr. Chang said, "OK, take off all your crose."
The woman did as she was told.
"Now, get down and craw reery, reery fass to odderside of room."
Again, the woman did as she was instructed.
Dr. Chang then said, "OK, now craw reery, reery fass back to me."
As she did, Dr. Chang shook his head slowly. "Your probrem vewy bad.
You haf Ed Zachary Disease. Worse case I ever see. Dat why you not haf sex or dates."
The woman asked anxiously, "Oh my God, Dr. Chang, what is Ed Zachary Disease?"
Dr. Chang sighed deeply and replied, "Ed Zachary Disease is when your face look Ed Zachary like your ass."
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/18/2004
- - -
SUDAN: HISTORY IN THE MAKING
FIRST FOREIGN TROOPS ON SUDANESE SOIL
US Congress vote next week on genocide in Darfur
Surprise, surprise: a major update on the Sudan crisis :) Heh Nick, bet you couldn't wait :)
This week, I toyed with the idea of starting a second blog for my posts on Sudan. Instead, I ended up drafting a post to ask what you think. Which ended up sitting with all the other drafts in my email folder. My hesitation is more to do with the doubling of work - which may halve my energy - for both blogs. Right now, managing this entry is more than enough. So please bear with me on the Sudan posts.
The rainy season in Sudan and Chad is now hampering relief work. After the next two weeks, the end of July, will tell how things will develop in Sudan. If my hunches are correct, I may start the second blog for Sudan posts on August 1st. Although my blogging about the Sudan has brought me into touch with a great new bunch of blogmates - who also take a keen interest in the Sudan - I am afraid of losing my old blogmates who visit here because of a variety of posts that had nothing to do with politics or war and stuff.
Sorry I've been unable to publish since Monday. Several visitors here on Tues and Wed. And dear old Blogger had problems introducing new stuff, which in turn affected my Safari browser. I could publish OK but the posts would not show on this page.
Please -- hold on to your hats -- and get a cup of tea -- several days of posts are here below -- all in one go. A few in particular, composition and information wise, took me ages to put together. My reason for doing so is because I am logging history in the making. Which I find interesting. I've drafted a post that explains why I am posting on the Sudan. But every time I start working on completing it, half a dozen email alerts fly in from Google on Darfur, and I have to stop and read half a dozen news reports, and I get sidetracked on the Sudan for the rest of the day.
It sure takes a lot of hours finding, reading, ingesting, digesting, comparing, thinking, writing, editing, tidying, linking and publishing this stuff on the Sudan crisis. I admire those who do it for a living, working under pressure to deadlines - it must be stressful working on a big and important story - and getting the facts right.
The few extra minutes it would take for you to read my posts on the Sudan are well spent. Here's why. Most likely, you'll never have the time (or inclination) to read about Africa and the Sudan in such indepth online or in newspapers. By putting up with me and ophelia's posts on the Sudan, you are at least seeing history in the making and learning important things about the running of Africa.
Who knows, one day you could find yourself at work, or at a dinner or somewhere, where you might get into conversation with someone about oil, the cost of it, what you use in your car or oil fired heating, share prices or whatever, and get talking on to the politics of oil. And you just might think of stuff you saw in this blog and get a surprise to learn that you've remembered a whole load of important things about Sudan in Africa. I hope so. If not, no worries. I only blog to myself anyway ;)
PS As it has taken a day to publish the latest posts here, I'll need to take a blogging break to catch up on reading what my blogmates have been writing. Bye for now. Love from Ingrid and Ophelia xx
- - -
The following is an excerpt from a Reuters report July 14 that gives a good update:
Sudan has opened its doors to aid groups seeking to help more than a million uprooted people in Darfur, but militia are still terrorizing villagers, a U.N. relief official said on Wednesday. Jan Egeland, the emergency relief coordinator, said he expected no verdict on Sudan's cooperation until U.N. officials evaluated the situation later this week.
U.N. Security Council envoys said they did not expect any action on a U.S.-drafted sanctions resolution until next week at the earliest, despite worldwide protests against Khartoum.
The resolution would put an immediate travel and arms ban on Darfur militia, called the Janjaweed, and threaten to extend the bans to Khartoum within a month if the government did not stop the killings, rape and uprooting of African villagers.
Britain and Germany, however, say this is too little, too late, and the world should put an immediate arms embargo on Sudan if the government does not live up to its obligations.
Over the past 16 months up to 30,000 people may have died so far and more than 100,000 have fled to neighboring Chad, U.N. figures show. With support from Sudan's military, the Janjaweed are accused of burning villages, kidnapping and enslaving children, contaminating water sources and systematically raping women.
UN said Wednesday: "Relief goods had been looted, and humanitarian workers had been attacked by militia and rebel groups, though not necessarily through government inaction. Concerns are that those uprooted are being pressured to leave camps and return to their villages, where they would be prey to the militia. "This is one of the key points to monitor -- that return is voluntary and security is reestablished for the civilian population."
U.S. Ambassador John Danforth noted there would be a meeting on Thursday (July 15) in Khartoum between U.N., United States and Sudanese officials to see which benchmarks "they have honored or not honored; and then we will proceed from there, sometime after Thursday, maybe early next week," he told reporters. In addition, diplomats said the United States had privately given the Sudanese some undisclosed deadlines, which had not yet expired.
Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir promised U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan nearly two weeks ago to disarm militias, begin political talks with rebels and provide access for international aid agencies as well as send police to Darfur to protect civilians.
In the 15-nation U.N. Security Council, Russia, China, Philippines, Pakistan, Algeria and Brazil are waiting to see what Khartoum will do. The two sub-Saharan African members, Angola and Benin, have not made their positions clear.
Chile and Europeans Britain, France, Spain, Germany and Romania either support the U.S. resolution or want the tougher measures, council sources said.
SUDAN: HISTORY IN THE MAKING
FIRST FOREIGN TROOPS ON SUDANESE SOIL
US Congress vote next week on genocide in Darfur
Surprise, surprise: a major update on the Sudan crisis :) Heh Nick, bet you couldn't wait :)
This week, I toyed with the idea of starting a second blog for my posts on Sudan. Instead, I ended up drafting a post to ask what you think. Which ended up sitting with all the other drafts in my email folder. My hesitation is more to do with the doubling of work - which may halve my energy - for both blogs. Right now, managing this entry is more than enough. So please bear with me on the Sudan posts.
The rainy season in Sudan and Chad is now hampering relief work. After the next two weeks, the end of July, will tell how things will develop in Sudan. If my hunches are correct, I may start the second blog for Sudan posts on August 1st. Although my blogging about the Sudan has brought me into touch with a great new bunch of blogmates - who also take a keen interest in the Sudan - I am afraid of losing my old blogmates who visit here because of a variety of posts that had nothing to do with politics or war and stuff.
Sorry I've been unable to publish since Monday. Several visitors here on Tues and Wed. And dear old Blogger had problems introducing new stuff, which in turn affected my Safari browser. I could publish OK but the posts would not show on this page.
Please -- hold on to your hats -- and get a cup of tea -- several days of posts are here below -- all in one go. A few in particular, composition and information wise, took me ages to put together. My reason for doing so is because I am logging history in the making. Which I find interesting. I've drafted a post that explains why I am posting on the Sudan. But every time I start working on completing it, half a dozen email alerts fly in from Google on Darfur, and I have to stop and read half a dozen news reports, and I get sidetracked on the Sudan for the rest of the day.
It sure takes a lot of hours finding, reading, ingesting, digesting, comparing, thinking, writing, editing, tidying, linking and publishing this stuff on the Sudan crisis. I admire those who do it for a living, working under pressure to deadlines - it must be stressful working on a big and important story - and getting the facts right.
The few extra minutes it would take for you to read my posts on the Sudan are well spent. Here's why. Most likely, you'll never have the time (or inclination) to read about Africa and the Sudan in such indepth online or in newspapers. By putting up with me and ophelia's posts on the Sudan, you are at least seeing history in the making and learning important things about the running of Africa.
Who knows, one day you could find yourself at work, or at a dinner or somewhere, where you might get into conversation with someone about oil, the cost of it, what you use in your car or oil fired heating, share prices or whatever, and get talking on to the politics of oil. And you just might think of stuff you saw in this blog and get a surprise to learn that you've remembered a whole load of important things about Sudan in Africa. I hope so. If not, no worries. I only blog to myself anyway ;)
PS As it has taken a day to publish the latest posts here, I'll need to take a blogging break to catch up on reading what my blogmates have been writing. Bye for now. Love from Ingrid and Ophelia xx
- - -
The following is an excerpt from a Reuters report July 14 that gives a good update:
Sudan has opened its doors to aid groups seeking to help more than a million uprooted people in Darfur, but militia are still terrorizing villagers, a U.N. relief official said on Wednesday. Jan Egeland, the emergency relief coordinator, said he expected no verdict on Sudan's cooperation until U.N. officials evaluated the situation later this week.
U.N. Security Council envoys said they did not expect any action on a U.S.-drafted sanctions resolution until next week at the earliest, despite worldwide protests against Khartoum.
The resolution would put an immediate travel and arms ban on Darfur militia, called the Janjaweed, and threaten to extend the bans to Khartoum within a month if the government did not stop the killings, rape and uprooting of African villagers.
Britain and Germany, however, say this is too little, too late, and the world should put an immediate arms embargo on Sudan if the government does not live up to its obligations.
Over the past 16 months up to 30,000 people may have died so far and more than 100,000 have fled to neighboring Chad, U.N. figures show. With support from Sudan's military, the Janjaweed are accused of burning villages, kidnapping and enslaving children, contaminating water sources and systematically raping women.
UN said Wednesday: "Relief goods had been looted, and humanitarian workers had been attacked by militia and rebel groups, though not necessarily through government inaction. Concerns are that those uprooted are being pressured to leave camps and return to their villages, where they would be prey to the militia. "This is one of the key points to monitor -- that return is voluntary and security is reestablished for the civilian population."
U.S. Ambassador John Danforth noted there would be a meeting on Thursday (July 15) in Khartoum between U.N., United States and Sudanese officials to see which benchmarks "they have honored or not honored; and then we will proceed from there, sometime after Thursday, maybe early next week," he told reporters. In addition, diplomats said the United States had privately given the Sudanese some undisclosed deadlines, which had not yet expired.
Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir promised U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan nearly two weeks ago to disarm militias, begin political talks with rebels and provide access for international aid agencies as well as send police to Darfur to protect civilians.
In the 15-nation U.N. Security Council, Russia, China, Philippines, Pakistan, Algeria and Brazil are waiting to see what Khartoum will do. The two sub-Saharan African members, Angola and Benin, have not made their positions clear.
Chile and Europeans Britain, France, Spain, Germany and Romania either support the U.S. resolution or want the tougher measures, council sources said.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/18/2004
- - -
RAINS PUT DARFUR IN DIRE NEED
Next week WFP will air drop 1,400 tons of food
A report from South Africa quotes aid agencies as saying on July 16 that heavy rains in western Sudan's Darfur region - and in neighbouring Chad - are further hampering aid for hundreds of thousands of displaced people as malnutrition sets in.
Yesterday, the UN refugee agency said it has managed to bring about 130 000 Sudanese refugees in neighbouring Chad to relative shelter further inside the country in recent months. But several thousand more were stranded in the border area, including about 15,000 refugees from Darfur around the border town of Bahai, according to the office of the UN high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR).
"Torrential rains, sandstorms and strong winds are worsening the problems of Sudanese refugees in Chad and hampering the relief effort," said UNHCR's Ron Redmond. "Heavy rains in northeastern Chad have driven refugees out of their makeshift shelters in the seasonal riverbeds, which have flooded," he said.
Efforts were under way to move those remaining in the rain-sodden areas, but the spread of the seasonal rains had now cut off roads and slowed the relief effort across most of the region, Redmond said.
The UNHCR also warned of a "serious crisis", after surveys by a medical team found acute malnutrition levels in refugee camps, especially about 38% of children. "The team concluded that, without immediate corrective action, the combination of these factors might lead to increases in serious illness and death," said Redmond.
Local Chadians were sharing food with the refugees despite also having "high levels" of malnutrition, he added.
The long-forecast rains were also affecting Darfur, where about 1.2 million people have fled their homes after attacks by government-backed militia and fighting between government forces and rebels, said the UN World Food Programme.
"Roads have been flooded, and cut off because of insecurity," said WFP's Simon Pluess, adding that the rain was also hampering attempts to bring food overland from nearby African countries.
WFP is planning a first airdrop of 1,400 tons of food next week into areas of Darfur cut off by rainfall. The World Health Organisation warned on Thursday that a major health catastrophe could erupt in the west Sudanese region if funds and supplies were not made available to fight disease and malnutrition. (See my vent re aid agencies further down below).
RAINS PUT DARFUR IN DIRE NEED
Next week WFP will air drop 1,400 tons of food
A report from South Africa quotes aid agencies as saying on July 16 that heavy rains in western Sudan's Darfur region - and in neighbouring Chad - are further hampering aid for hundreds of thousands of displaced people as malnutrition sets in.
Yesterday, the UN refugee agency said it has managed to bring about 130 000 Sudanese refugees in neighbouring Chad to relative shelter further inside the country in recent months. But several thousand more were stranded in the border area, including about 15,000 refugees from Darfur around the border town of Bahai, according to the office of the UN high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR).
"Torrential rains, sandstorms and strong winds are worsening the problems of Sudanese refugees in Chad and hampering the relief effort," said UNHCR's Ron Redmond. "Heavy rains in northeastern Chad have driven refugees out of their makeshift shelters in the seasonal riverbeds, which have flooded," he said.
Efforts were under way to move those remaining in the rain-sodden areas, but the spread of the seasonal rains had now cut off roads and slowed the relief effort across most of the region, Redmond said.
The UNHCR also warned of a "serious crisis", after surveys by a medical team found acute malnutrition levels in refugee camps, especially about 38% of children. "The team concluded that, without immediate corrective action, the combination of these factors might lead to increases in serious illness and death," said Redmond.
Local Chadians were sharing food with the refugees despite also having "high levels" of malnutrition, he added.
The long-forecast rains were also affecting Darfur, where about 1.2 million people have fled their homes after attacks by government-backed militia and fighting between government forces and rebels, said the UN World Food Programme.
"Roads have been flooded, and cut off because of insecurity," said WFP's Simon Pluess, adding that the rain was also hampering attempts to bring food overland from nearby African countries.
WFP is planning a first airdrop of 1,400 tons of food next week into areas of Darfur cut off by rainfall. The World Health Organisation warned on Thursday that a major health catastrophe could erupt in the west Sudanese region if funds and supplies were not made available to fight disease and malnutrition. (See my vent re aid agencies further down below).
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/18/2004
- - -
REFUGEES FLOCK HOME TO DARFUR?
While rains put Darfur in dire need
Following on from the news in the next post above, a report from China News on July 15 says it has information out of Khartoum that the government of Sudan (GoS) has started bringing "home" up to 34,000 refugees from Darfur. Apparently, the returnees "let out a sigh of relief, expressing a keen desire to go home", Sudanese sources were quoted as saying.
The report may be a rumour or propaganda. But if it is true, I imagine the Sudan's government forces are driving the refugees back into Darfur at gunpoint; or it is planting stooges and staging the "flocking of refugees to Darfur" to make themselves look like they are protecting their people; or it knows that Libya has opened up its border to provide access for humanitarian assistance into Darfur and is moving people there to keep an eye on what is coming through from Libya.
Some of the stories that come out of Sudan make the movies "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Zulu" look like a picnic. It would not be far fetched to imagine that GoS forces have driven themselves into Darfur and dressed up as refugees to see what's coming in from Libya.
If they are not already there in Sudan, the 270 AU-led armed soldiers (funded and supported by the EU) are due to arrive any time before July 30. The GoS, under intense international pressure to provide unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance and protect the Sudanese refugees, is desperately trying to avoid taking up the international community's offer of help (stipulated by Colin Powell and Kofi Annan at their recent meetings with Sudan's President Bashir in Khartoum) by July 30.
I've not read any reports where a single refugee is quoted as saying they would return to Darfur without the protection of UN forces.
The GoS tried to pull off a stunt when Colin Powell and Kofi Annan recently visited a refugee camp in Darfur. Colin Powell was not surprised. Upon his arrival at the camp, he asked "where are all the people?" Apparently, the night before, GoS forces had trucked away hundreds of refugees from the camp. Some of the refugees that Powell saw were overweight and wore clean leather shoes.
Who'd believe that surviving victims of Darfur would willingly flock "home" to Darfur with the assistance of GoS forces - unless at gunpoint? I've seen reports where refugees are quoted as saying they would never return to Darfur without the security of white soldiers.
If it is true that tens of thousands of refugees are being driven back to Darfur, how are they to receive food and water? They have nothing. Nothing to farm or harvest, and no seeds to plant or livestock to tend. Villages have been burnt to the ground and drinking wells have been stuffed with dead animals to poison the water. The monsoons have started and within the next two weeks large areas will be completely cut off by flooding and mud, creating all sorts of logistical problems, illness and disease.
As noted above, the rains are putting Darfur in dire need and the World Food Programme is planning a first airdrop of 1,400 tons of food next week into areas of Darfur cut off by rainfall.
Who will be there to received and distribute the food when it lands? GoS forces? Janjaweed? Aid workers? Or refugees?
More later, when I find something. In the meantime, if any reader has more information on above story, please email me and I'll post an update.
- - -
Update:
July 15, Patrick Hall writes "another broken promise".
July 1: Rebecca Lesses writes: "Once again, the Sudanese government is trying to pretend that nothing is happening in Darfur. When Kofi Annan went to visit a refugee camp, Sudan Camp Is Moved Before U.N. Visit. (note to self to find copy of this report as Rebecca's link to Marc Lacey's July 2, 2004, report in NYT has slipped into archive).
REFUGEES FLOCK HOME TO DARFUR?
While rains put Darfur in dire need
Following on from the news in the next post above, a report from China News on July 15 says it has information out of Khartoum that the government of Sudan (GoS) has started bringing "home" up to 34,000 refugees from Darfur. Apparently, the returnees "let out a sigh of relief, expressing a keen desire to go home", Sudanese sources were quoted as saying.
The report may be a rumour or propaganda. But if it is true, I imagine the Sudan's government forces are driving the refugees back into Darfur at gunpoint; or it is planting stooges and staging the "flocking of refugees to Darfur" to make themselves look like they are protecting their people; or it knows that Libya has opened up its border to provide access for humanitarian assistance into Darfur and is moving people there to keep an eye on what is coming through from Libya.
Some of the stories that come out of Sudan make the movies "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Zulu" look like a picnic. It would not be far fetched to imagine that GoS forces have driven themselves into Darfur and dressed up as refugees to see what's coming in from Libya.
If they are not already there in Sudan, the 270 AU-led armed soldiers (funded and supported by the EU) are due to arrive any time before July 30. The GoS, under intense international pressure to provide unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance and protect the Sudanese refugees, is desperately trying to avoid taking up the international community's offer of help (stipulated by Colin Powell and Kofi Annan at their recent meetings with Sudan's President Bashir in Khartoum) by July 30.
I've not read any reports where a single refugee is quoted as saying they would return to Darfur without the protection of UN forces.
The GoS tried to pull off a stunt when Colin Powell and Kofi Annan recently visited a refugee camp in Darfur. Colin Powell was not surprised. Upon his arrival at the camp, he asked "where are all the people?" Apparently, the night before, GoS forces had trucked away hundreds of refugees from the camp. Some of the refugees that Powell saw were overweight and wore clean leather shoes.
Who'd believe that surviving victims of Darfur would willingly flock "home" to Darfur with the assistance of GoS forces - unless at gunpoint? I've seen reports where refugees are quoted as saying they would never return to Darfur without the security of white soldiers.
If it is true that tens of thousands of refugees are being driven back to Darfur, how are they to receive food and water? They have nothing. Nothing to farm or harvest, and no seeds to plant or livestock to tend. Villages have been burnt to the ground and drinking wells have been stuffed with dead animals to poison the water. The monsoons have started and within the next two weeks large areas will be completely cut off by flooding and mud, creating all sorts of logistical problems, illness and disease.
As noted above, the rains are putting Darfur in dire need and the World Food Programme is planning a first airdrop of 1,400 tons of food next week into areas of Darfur cut off by rainfall.
Who will be there to received and distribute the food when it lands? GoS forces? Janjaweed? Aid workers? Or refugees?
More later, when I find something. In the meantime, if any reader has more information on above story, please email me and I'll post an update.
- - -
Update:
July 15, Patrick Hall writes "another broken promise".
July 1: Rebecca Lesses writes: "Once again, the Sudanese government is trying to pretend that nothing is happening in Darfur. When Kofi Annan went to visit a refugee camp, Sudan Camp Is Moved Before U.N. Visit. (note to self to find copy of this report as Rebecca's link to Marc Lacey's July 2, 2004, report in NYT has slipped into archive).
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/18/2004
- - -
DARFUR REBELS WON'T DO PEACE TALKS
Until there's unimpeded access for aid and a war crimes enquiry
Yesterday (July 16) the two main rebel groups from Darfur SLM and JEM were supposed to attend a meeting in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. The meeting was an ad hoc task force set up by Khartoum over which government of Sudan (GoS) Foreign Minister Ismail presided. It was to review a joint 3-month action plan to stabilise Darfur. Reps from donor states and UN organisations also attended the meeting.
Instead of attending the meeting, the two rebel groups handed in their "terms" to the AU. The rebels do not believe the location of the meeting is neutral. Their terms state they won't attend any more peace talks until there's: (1) an international enquiry into genocide or ethnic cleansing; (2) unimpeded access for aid; (3) release of prisoners of war; (4) agreement on a neutral venue for future talks. They've been saying this for the past several weeks.
Sounds like GoS are cornered as they can't disarm Janjaweed outlaws who feel no need to follow orders from Khartoum. (Note: two reports on interviews with the Janjaweed leader are copied in a previous post below).
AU officials say a key concern at their Addis Ababa planning sessions has been signs of political divisions in Khartoum and some evidence that Sudan's President Bashir may not be in firm control of the military in Darfur. They say elements in the army and military intelligence are encouraging continued attacks by the Janjaweed in defiance of orders by the country's political leadership.
According to a recent report on the Janjaweed's leader, he and his outlaws do their own thing and don't need to listen to Khartoum. Seems Khartoum will have no option but to take up the international community's offer of help by July 30. What else can they do? Maybe GoS are so against accepting help from the international community because they see it as writing on the wall that spells the beginning of the end of their regime.
Going by the many reports that I've read, from dozens of different sources, here's my take on the situation:
As noted in my next post below, Colin Powell, when he recently met with Sudan's President Bashir in Khartoum, demanded unimpeded access for international aid and assistance and stipulated that, if it did not happen by July 30, the international community's offer of help would have to be accepted. Bashir agreed - but on one condition: that everyone stops using the word genocide. Powell agreed this (in my view: knowing it was highly unlikely that Bashir would or could comply). Perhaps that is why Kofi Annan and others are so careful over not using the word "genocide" in press releases and interviews.
No doubt, before now, Darfur could have been legally classified by the UN as "genocide". My guess is that ever since US President Bush phoned Bashir and Garang in early April, the UN wheels have been grinding into motion, albeit slowly. Since April, many "observers" from several different countries have been to Sudan to gather evidence and witness statements of genocide in Darfur; intelligence reports and satellite photos have been gathered and circulated; US/UN/EU/AU leaders have been in constant contact; several meetings in Europe have taken place between European politicians, the Darfur rebels and delegates from Khartoum; politicians from at least a dozen countries have visited the GoS in Khartoum; UK funding for humanitarian aid for Darfur is being pledged for the next 3 years; EU leaders have signed a declaration that the perpetrators must be held accountable; and a special EU fund has been set up for large AU-led peacekeeping missions.
I'd be very surprised if things don't start moving quickly by July 30. By that time, the 270 AU-led armed troops (EU funded) from Rwanda, Nigeria, Botswana and Tanzania, will be legally working in Sudan to protect the ceasefire observers. Apparently, it is the first time foreign troops will have set foot officially on Sudanese soil, which goes to show how much is changing in Africa.
It is worth noting here that the EU supports AU-led peacekeeping missions from its new 250 million euros Africa Peace Facility fund. Seems feasible (to me) that the EU is in a position to support a larger mission in Sudan. Note also, that on June 26, 2004, days before Kofi Annan and Colin Powell were due to meet in Khartoum to issue a final warning, the US and EU leaders - at an EU summit in Ireland (which held the EU presidency) that US President Bush attended - issued a joint declaration stating that those responsible for the atrocities must be held accountable.
By my reckoning, there are already quite a few hundred, possibly 500 or more, special forces - from several different AU and UN countries - on the ground in Sudan (sent in unnoticeable dribs and drabs) in the guise of observers and aid workers. This week, Libya opened its border to allow access for aid getting through into Darfur. (See my post above: maybe that's why GoS moved their people back into Darfur: to monitor what's going on). Libya even sent a plane load of aid for Darfur.
Where are all these aid planes landing? I haven't come across any reports in mainstream media that explain the logistics behind these multi million dollar missions, paid for from the public purse. If there are any controversial film makers like Michael Moore reading this, I believe there's a great story to be told on the "aid" scandals going on behind our backs and feel that it's about time we were told the whole sorry story. That'd be a good way to make the aid agencies accountable and get some heads rolling.
Personally, I would like to see Darfur become a Protectorate of the U.N. - and made into a Peace Zone - until things can be sorted through peace talks and agreements, and enough time given for a Peace Accord to be signed that would give Sudan it's one and only chance of stability.
If the peace talks break down, and the Peace Accord and ceasefire agreements fall apart, then it seems likely that military intervention on a large scale will become necessary, which would mean that Bashir and his gang are toast. I've read that large scale military intervention would entail the removal of the present regime. Hopefully, it may eventually become possible - without large scale military intervention - for the present regime in Khartoum to rub shoulders with Milosovisch in court at The Hague.
When I was very young, my father was serving in the British Army and we lived in Nairobi. Kenya for three years because of the Mau Mau war. The unforgettable sights, sounds and scents of Africa made a huge impact on my life. The Africans that I recall were tall, beautiful, gentle minded and kind. African warriors can be lean, mean and keen - and savage too. Their climate, terrain and culture are unlike anywhere else on this planet. Not to mention Arab tribal leaders. Going to war in Sudan would make Baghdad look like a piece of cake.
U.S. Congress is preparing to vote next week on officially declaring "genocide" in Darfur. (More on this in another post here, below). I've never been under the impression that America intends sending troops to Africa - or that it would ever be willing to do so. From what I can gather, they're prepared to provide humanitarian aid and assistance but expect the war to be fought by African Union led forces that are funded and supported by the European Union. If anyone reading this believes that America would send American troops to Sudan, please do comment or email. Thanks.
Hopefully, the Peace Talks will be given every chance. It seems like the US, UN and EU have made great strides over the past 12 weeks. If "genocide" is officially declared after the end of this month, it would appear the UN and EU paperwork and funding has been put in place to handle the ramifications of such a declaration. The slowness of the political and legal process is heart wrenching. Same goes for the aid agencies. I still stand by the post I wrote not long after I started posting here on the Sudan crisis: questions ought to be raised - and should heads roll - over why those in the multi billion dollar business of providing timely aid to those who need it, get away with half of it not happening and blaming the donors and weather on delays.
The UN has existed for sixty years. The charities have been raking it in for decades. Almost twenty years have gone by since Bob Geldof left his jacket behind in Darfur. Our Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has spent several years working towards cancelling the debts of the world's poorest nations. Next year, the UK will preside over the G8 summit - and it will be Live Aid's 20th anniversary. Hopefully, by that time, we will have something to celebrate.
- - -
Update, what other blogs are saying:
July 16: Passion says Darfur groups ask for implementation of government agreements with UN, US.
July 17: Passion writes about how talks have broken down between Darfur groups, government of Sudan.
DARFUR REBELS WON'T DO PEACE TALKS
Until there's unimpeded access for aid and a war crimes enquiry
Yesterday (July 16) the two main rebel groups from Darfur SLM and JEM were supposed to attend a meeting in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. The meeting was an ad hoc task force set up by Khartoum over which government of Sudan (GoS) Foreign Minister Ismail presided. It was to review a joint 3-month action plan to stabilise Darfur. Reps from donor states and UN organisations also attended the meeting.
Instead of attending the meeting, the two rebel groups handed in their "terms" to the AU. The rebels do not believe the location of the meeting is neutral. Their terms state they won't attend any more peace talks until there's: (1) an international enquiry into genocide or ethnic cleansing; (2) unimpeded access for aid; (3) release of prisoners of war; (4) agreement on a neutral venue for future talks. They've been saying this for the past several weeks.
Sounds like GoS are cornered as they can't disarm Janjaweed outlaws who feel no need to follow orders from Khartoum. (Note: two reports on interviews with the Janjaweed leader are copied in a previous post below).
AU officials say a key concern at their Addis Ababa planning sessions has been signs of political divisions in Khartoum and some evidence that Sudan's President Bashir may not be in firm control of the military in Darfur. They say elements in the army and military intelligence are encouraging continued attacks by the Janjaweed in defiance of orders by the country's political leadership.
According to a recent report on the Janjaweed's leader, he and his outlaws do their own thing and don't need to listen to Khartoum. Seems Khartoum will have no option but to take up the international community's offer of help by July 30. What else can they do? Maybe GoS are so against accepting help from the international community because they see it as writing on the wall that spells the beginning of the end of their regime.
Going by the many reports that I've read, from dozens of different sources, here's my take on the situation:
As noted in my next post below, Colin Powell, when he recently met with Sudan's President Bashir in Khartoum, demanded unimpeded access for international aid and assistance and stipulated that, if it did not happen by July 30, the international community's offer of help would have to be accepted. Bashir agreed - but on one condition: that everyone stops using the word genocide. Powell agreed this (in my view: knowing it was highly unlikely that Bashir would or could comply). Perhaps that is why Kofi Annan and others are so careful over not using the word "genocide" in press releases and interviews.
No doubt, before now, Darfur could have been legally classified by the UN as "genocide". My guess is that ever since US President Bush phoned Bashir and Garang in early April, the UN wheels have been grinding into motion, albeit slowly. Since April, many "observers" from several different countries have been to Sudan to gather evidence and witness statements of genocide in Darfur; intelligence reports and satellite photos have been gathered and circulated; US/UN/EU/AU leaders have been in constant contact; several meetings in Europe have taken place between European politicians, the Darfur rebels and delegates from Khartoum; politicians from at least a dozen countries have visited the GoS in Khartoum; UK funding for humanitarian aid for Darfur is being pledged for the next 3 years; EU leaders have signed a declaration that the perpetrators must be held accountable; and a special EU fund has been set up for large AU-led peacekeeping missions.
I'd be very surprised if things don't start moving quickly by July 30. By that time, the 270 AU-led armed troops (EU funded) from Rwanda, Nigeria, Botswana and Tanzania, will be legally working in Sudan to protect the ceasefire observers. Apparently, it is the first time foreign troops will have set foot officially on Sudanese soil, which goes to show how much is changing in Africa.
It is worth noting here that the EU supports AU-led peacekeeping missions from its new 250 million euros Africa Peace Facility fund. Seems feasible (to me) that the EU is in a position to support a larger mission in Sudan. Note also, that on June 26, 2004, days before Kofi Annan and Colin Powell were due to meet in Khartoum to issue a final warning, the US and EU leaders - at an EU summit in Ireland (which held the EU presidency) that US President Bush attended - issued a joint declaration stating that those responsible for the atrocities must be held accountable.
By my reckoning, there are already quite a few hundred, possibly 500 or more, special forces - from several different AU and UN countries - on the ground in Sudan (sent in unnoticeable dribs and drabs) in the guise of observers and aid workers. This week, Libya opened its border to allow access for aid getting through into Darfur. (See my post above: maybe that's why GoS moved their people back into Darfur: to monitor what's going on). Libya even sent a plane load of aid for Darfur.
Where are all these aid planes landing? I haven't come across any reports in mainstream media that explain the logistics behind these multi million dollar missions, paid for from the public purse. If there are any controversial film makers like Michael Moore reading this, I believe there's a great story to be told on the "aid" scandals going on behind our backs and feel that it's about time we were told the whole sorry story. That'd be a good way to make the aid agencies accountable and get some heads rolling.
Personally, I would like to see Darfur become a Protectorate of the U.N. - and made into a Peace Zone - until things can be sorted through peace talks and agreements, and enough time given for a Peace Accord to be signed that would give Sudan it's one and only chance of stability.
If the peace talks break down, and the Peace Accord and ceasefire agreements fall apart, then it seems likely that military intervention on a large scale will become necessary, which would mean that Bashir and his gang are toast. I've read that large scale military intervention would entail the removal of the present regime. Hopefully, it may eventually become possible - without large scale military intervention - for the present regime in Khartoum to rub shoulders with Milosovisch in court at The Hague.
When I was very young, my father was serving in the British Army and we lived in Nairobi. Kenya for three years because of the Mau Mau war. The unforgettable sights, sounds and scents of Africa made a huge impact on my life. The Africans that I recall were tall, beautiful, gentle minded and kind. African warriors can be lean, mean and keen - and savage too. Their climate, terrain and culture are unlike anywhere else on this planet. Not to mention Arab tribal leaders. Going to war in Sudan would make Baghdad look like a piece of cake.
U.S. Congress is preparing to vote next week on officially declaring "genocide" in Darfur. (More on this in another post here, below). I've never been under the impression that America intends sending troops to Africa - or that it would ever be willing to do so. From what I can gather, they're prepared to provide humanitarian aid and assistance but expect the war to be fought by African Union led forces that are funded and supported by the European Union. If anyone reading this believes that America would send American troops to Sudan, please do comment or email. Thanks.
Hopefully, the Peace Talks will be given every chance. It seems like the US, UN and EU have made great strides over the past 12 weeks. If "genocide" is officially declared after the end of this month, it would appear the UN and EU paperwork and funding has been put in place to handle the ramifications of such a declaration. The slowness of the political and legal process is heart wrenching. Same goes for the aid agencies. I still stand by the post I wrote not long after I started posting here on the Sudan crisis: questions ought to be raised - and should heads roll - over why those in the multi billion dollar business of providing timely aid to those who need it, get away with half of it not happening and blaming the donors and weather on delays.
The UN has existed for sixty years. The charities have been raking it in for decades. Almost twenty years have gone by since Bob Geldof left his jacket behind in Darfur. Our Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has spent several years working towards cancelling the debts of the world's poorest nations. Next year, the UK will preside over the G8 summit - and it will be Live Aid's 20th anniversary. Hopefully, by that time, we will have something to celebrate.
- - -
Update, what other blogs are saying:
July 16: Passion says Darfur groups ask for implementation of government agreements with UN, US.
July 17: Passion writes about how talks have broken down between Darfur groups, government of Sudan.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/18/2004
- - -
TREATING SUDAN WITH KID GLOVES: AFRICA IS A TINDERBOX
Nigeria is on the brink of violent implosion
Perhaps there are special reasons for the slowness of the US, UN, EU in imposing travel bans and freezing the personal assets of GoS and Janjaweed leaders.
Seems I've read somewhere that during the meeting between Colin Powell and Sudan's President Bashir in Khartoum, Bashir agreed that in order for the aid to reach the refugees, the Janjaweed would have to be reined in and disarmed (and failing that - by July 30 - would accept international community's offer of help). Bashir agreed on one condition: that everyone stops using the word genocide. It'd make sense that Powell agreed to this, knowing that Bashir would not (or could not) fulfill his side of the deal. By waiting until July 30, it'd give the international community enough time to gain proper access to Darfur via Libya, gather evidence and get the necessary documents and resolutions signed by the members of the EU and UN Security.
The US, UN and EU may be treating GoS with kid gloves as part of a strategic plan. Firstly, to help the refugees while avoiding a regime change during the crucial Peace Accord negotiations (better the devil you know than the devil you don't know). Secondly, because the years of Peace Accord negotiations are so close to being finalised - genocide in Darfur gives leverage to the international community to insert the western (and maybe even the eastern) region of Sudan in the Peace Accord before it can be signed. GoS is keen to get the Peace Accord finalised and signed because it legitimises their standing (they are an unelected dictatorship) on the world's stage, and with the oil companies and countries providing development funding.
The GoS is probably a mine of information on counteracting terrorism, with a network of contacts that lead to the works of Bin Laden and his ilk. Bearing in mind too, if there is another coup in Sudan and the perpetrators of genocide in Darfur flee from the country with no "good" places to go where they can be found (if travel restrictions to US and UN countries are imposed) it might force them into the open arms of people like Bin Laden. Here's a thought: maybe after July 30, that's what the international community wants to have happen. It'd be a good way to find and capture them all together and take them to The Hague for a chat :)
All of the humanitarian assistance and aid, development funding, sanctions, travel bans, freezing of personal assets and the signed EU declaration to bring the perpetrators to court, seem to be the carrots and sticks that are being used by the US, UN and EU in their mission for aid and security to reach the refugees whilst, at the same time, getting the Peace Accord - to include Darfur - signed and sealed to bring stability to Sudan. Politicians need to be careful. And tread slowly, but surely. And be sure of public support too. Africa is like a tinderbox. A July 8 report from Reuters says Nigeria is on the brink of violent implosion.
Note the President of Nigeria, pictured here below, is the new President of the African Union.
Allafrica.com report July 14: Nigeria's sent aid by air and distributed relief materials worth N14 million to refugees in Darfur. Distribution was handled by Nigerian officials.
The items include 2000 pieces each of blankets and towels, 600 bags of rice, 1000 cartons of premixed beverages, 500 bags of salt, 300 bags of flour and 300 kegs of vegetable oil."
President of Nigeria pictured here, is the African Union's new President
Further reading:
July 13: Malaysian blogger Aiseh, man... in a in-depth post entitled "Blood On Our Oily Hands" points to some useful links - including a roundup of Petronas' activities in Sudan - and writes: "I thought our silence began only recently with the genocide in Darfur. I was wrong. We have been looking the other way for several years now ... This much is clear: We, each and every one of us in this country, have blood on our hands. And the only way to cleanse it is to demand a full accounting from the Government, and from Petronas."
July 18: American blogger Jim Moore: "How to engineer a genocide"
TREATING SUDAN WITH KID GLOVES: AFRICA IS A TINDERBOX
Nigeria is on the brink of violent implosion
Perhaps there are special reasons for the slowness of the US, UN, EU in imposing travel bans and freezing the personal assets of GoS and Janjaweed leaders.
Seems I've read somewhere that during the meeting between Colin Powell and Sudan's President Bashir in Khartoum, Bashir agreed that in order for the aid to reach the refugees, the Janjaweed would have to be reined in and disarmed (and failing that - by July 30 - would accept international community's offer of help). Bashir agreed on one condition: that everyone stops using the word genocide. It'd make sense that Powell agreed to this, knowing that Bashir would not (or could not) fulfill his side of the deal. By waiting until July 30, it'd give the international community enough time to gain proper access to Darfur via Libya, gather evidence and get the necessary documents and resolutions signed by the members of the EU and UN Security.
The US, UN and EU may be treating GoS with kid gloves as part of a strategic plan. Firstly, to help the refugees while avoiding a regime change during the crucial Peace Accord negotiations (better the devil you know than the devil you don't know). Secondly, because the years of Peace Accord negotiations are so close to being finalised - genocide in Darfur gives leverage to the international community to insert the western (and maybe even the eastern) region of Sudan in the Peace Accord before it can be signed. GoS is keen to get the Peace Accord finalised and signed because it legitimises their standing (they are an unelected dictatorship) on the world's stage, and with the oil companies and countries providing development funding.
The GoS is probably a mine of information on counteracting terrorism, with a network of contacts that lead to the works of Bin Laden and his ilk. Bearing in mind too, if there is another coup in Sudan and the perpetrators of genocide in Darfur flee from the country with no "good" places to go where they can be found (if travel restrictions to US and UN countries are imposed) it might force them into the open arms of people like Bin Laden. Here's a thought: maybe after July 30, that's what the international community wants to have happen. It'd be a good way to find and capture them all together and take them to The Hague for a chat :)
All of the humanitarian assistance and aid, development funding, sanctions, travel bans, freezing of personal assets and the signed EU declaration to bring the perpetrators to court, seem to be the carrots and sticks that are being used by the US, UN and EU in their mission for aid and security to reach the refugees whilst, at the same time, getting the Peace Accord - to include Darfur - signed and sealed to bring stability to Sudan. Politicians need to be careful. And tread slowly, but surely. And be sure of public support too. Africa is like a tinderbox. A July 8 report from Reuters says Nigeria is on the brink of violent implosion.
Note the President of Nigeria, pictured here below, is the new President of the African Union.
Allafrica.com report July 14: Nigeria's sent aid by air and distributed relief materials worth N14 million to refugees in Darfur. Distribution was handled by Nigerian officials.
The items include 2000 pieces each of blankets and towels, 600 bags of rice, 1000 cartons of premixed beverages, 500 bags of salt, 300 bags of flour and 300 kegs of vegetable oil."
President of Nigeria pictured here, is the African Union's new President
Further reading:
July 13: Malaysian blogger Aiseh, man... in a in-depth post entitled "Blood On Our Oily Hands" points to some useful links - including a roundup of Petronas' activities in Sudan - and writes: "I thought our silence began only recently with the genocide in Darfur. I was wrong. We have been looking the other way for several years now ... This much is clear: We, each and every one of us in this country, have blood on our hands. And the only way to cleanse it is to demand a full accounting from the Government, and from Petronas."
July 18: American blogger Jim Moore: "How to engineer a genocide"
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/18/2004
- - -
U.K. PLEDGES EXTRA 270 MILLION USD FOR DARFUR
U.K. chairs next G8 summit and promises to help Africa
As of last week, the British government had contributed 65 million US dollars for aid to Darfur, and a British minister called on European countries to match same.
By July 13 it was confirmed that the U.S. was contributing 300 million USD and then came a fantastic news that the British government has announced an immediate cash injection to bolster Britain's aid package for Darfur. It has pledged an extra one hundred and fifty million pounds - which is something like 270 million USD!!
Here is a copy of the report from Scotsman.com, in full. Disappointingly, I found no BBC news online report of this great news:
"Today the humanitarian tragedy in Sudan is deeper than at the time of Live Aid - which started in Sudan 20 years ago - and we must act now," the Chancellor told MPs. "The international development secretary is today announcing that he is setting aside now, to be made available immediately a peace agreement is signed, emergency and other relief to address Sudan’s crisis.
"The total over the next three years will be at least £150 million more." The extra money will go only to Sudan, where millions are facing the dual threats of starvation and militia attack in the southern region of Darfur, when peace is assured.
Hilary Benn, the International Development Secretary, emerged as one of the clear beneficiaries of the Chancellor’s spending review, with an annual real-terms rise in budget of 9.2 per cent.
Chancellor Brown restated Tony Blair’s aim to make next year, when Britain has the presidency of the G8 group of industrialised nations, a time to focus on the "needs of Africa".
He said: "As we play our part in addressing global injustices, our country’s obligation is not to cut overseas aid but to increase it."
Aid organisations and charities immediately welcomed Mr Brown’s commitment to increasing Britain’s aid budget, with Oxfam calling it "a significant and welcome moment that will transform the lives of millions".
Speaking for Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa (DATA), Bono, the U2 singer and long-time campaigner, said: "This is incredible news from the Chancellor for people that he will never meet, but who will owe him and British taxpayers their lives."
- - -
U.K. OXFAM AID PLANE LEFT LONDON
Carrying emergency aid for Darfur
Oxfam sent a plane on Friday July 9 with £160,000 worth of emergency aid for Darfur. The plane will allow the aid agency to begin work in three new refugee camps in Chad. It left London Manston airport carrying materials to construct emergency water and sanitation facilities for more than 35,000 refugees.
In the July 9 report, Oxfam described conditions in many of the refugee camps as "dire and deteriorating" as more and more people arrive each day.
At Bredjing, eastern Chad, just 63 latrines are available for the population of 24,000. Many people are running out of food, and drinking water is scarce. Half the people in the camp lack basic shelter from the elements - torrential rain and scorching daytime temperatures of up 50 degrees.
Nick Roseveare, Oxfam's deputy humanitarian director, said: "The rains are making a desperate situation even worse. The dirt roads are becoming impassable and the two-hour journey to Bredjing camp is now taking days, with staff having to wade through waist deep water to reach the camp.
"Floodwaters are washing human and animal waste into water sources raising fears of outbreaks of disease such as cholera and diarrhoea. For people, particularly children, already suffering from malnutrition and dehydration these diseases can kill."
Mr Roseveare added: "The water and sanitation equipment on the plane will enable engineers to construct emergency water storage and distribution systems and to build latrines in Bredjing camp and elsewhere. These supplies will help boost our public health programme to help over 115,000 women, men and children.
href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sudan/story/0,14658,1257853,00.html
- - -
U.K. DELEGATION RETURNS FROM 7 DAYS IN SUDAN
And call for every western European government to match UK aid
On June 27 a delegation of British MPs visited Sudan for seven-days to assess the extent of famine in the war-torn Darfur region. The visit follows the signing of a framework peace agreement between the Sudanese government and the breakaway Sudan People’s Liberation Army on May 26, following years of war which have significantly contributed to humanitarian problems in the east African state.
- - -
BLAIR SENDS MESSAGE TO SUDANESE PRESIDENT
U.K. Ambassador William Pattey in Khartoum
July 3: Sudan's Foreign Minister Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail has received a written message from UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to the President of the Republic Gen. Omer Al-Bashir. This arrived on Saturday when the Minister received Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Khartoum Mr. William Pattey.

Dr. Ismail also met a delegation of the British House of Commons from all three main parties and briefed them on the measures adopted by the government to solve the situation in Darfur in the humanitarian, security and political fields. Deputy speaker of the National Assembly Angelo Beda also met with the delegation and reviewed the peace process and situations in Darfur States.
- - -
BLAIR AND ANNAN DISCUSS STRATEGY
Militia activity needs to be controlled - or else
July 7: UK Prime Minister Tony Blair warned the Sudanese government to expect tougher international action if it fails to help aid get through to people in Darfur. He said that Britain could back sanctions against Sudan if much needed foreign aid fails to reach victims of the conflict in the western Darfur region.
Mr Blair said he had spoken with Kofi Annan on Tuesday (July 6) to "develop the right strategy" for dealing with the Sudan crisis.
- - -
BLAIR TO BACK SUDAN SANCTIONS
If no aid for Darfur victims
July 7: UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said sanctions should be imposed on Sudan if the Khartoum government did not lift obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid to the thousands of displaced people in Darfur.
Speaking in parliament, Mr Blair said he reviewed the crisis Tuesday (July 6) with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and that "there is food there now" ready to be distributed to those who need it. But, he added, the Sudanese authorities had to do their part as well, "and if they do not cooperate, we will have to consider what further measures we will take".
A draft United Nations resolution proposed by the United States calls for an arms and travel embargo on the pro-Khartoum Janjaweed Arab militias which have been killing and raping black Africans in Darfur, with the possibility of extending the sanctions to the Sudanese government. Germany has backed the text, and called for the arms embargo to be imposed on all of Sudan.
- - -
CARROTS, STICKS AND SANCTIONS
Janjaweed have considerable wealth
The US, UN and EU are now losing patience and stepping up political and military pressure on Sudan.
July 9: UN Security Council members struggled over whether to impose sanctions on militia leaders sowing death in Darfur, with some opposed and Europeans suggesting an arms embargo on all of Sudan.
During a July 12-13 meeting of EU foreign ministers, the EU warned of sanctions against the Sudan government over Darfur. After the meeting, Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot said the Sudanese government must understand “in crystal clear terms that it cannot escape its responsibility” to bring the counterinsurgency attacks to a halt.
July 14: EU said if it sees no signs of change in Sudan within a matter of days, it will review how to increase pressure on GoS and impose sanctions.
- - -
Some reports say that the problem with economic sanctions, is they may have little effect on the Khartoum government. The long-running war among Sudan’s government and its people has devastated the economy of a country whose annual per capita income — at barely $350 — is already among the world’s lowest.
Other reports say the Janjaweed bandits make their living by stealing food, livestock and looting, but that Arab tribal leaders are very wealthy and would feel humiliated if travel bans were imposed on them. No doubt GoS leaders are wealthy and have thought through their exit routes and plans and stashed away all sorts of "personal assets".
There's not a lot the EU can do in the economic field other than impose a travel ban, suspend its preferential trade arrangements with Sudan and withhold development aid, an EU official told DefenseNews.com on July 14:“Sudan depends heavily on development aid, so suspending that — but not humanitarian aid, of course — might carry some weight,” the official said. “But then again, we’ve imposed similar sanctions on Zimbabwe and there’s been no regime change there, either.”
The EU has no formal trade relations with Sudan due to the war, and provides only humanitarian aid. So there's no development aid for the union to withhold as a sanction. Nor can it withhold arms, as it already imposes an arms embargo on the country.
U.K. PLEDGES EXTRA 270 MILLION USD FOR DARFUR
U.K. chairs next G8 summit and promises to help Africa
As of last week, the British government had contributed 65 million US dollars for aid to Darfur, and a British minister called on European countries to match same.
By July 13 it was confirmed that the U.S. was contributing 300 million USD and then came a fantastic news that the British government has announced an immediate cash injection to bolster Britain's aid package for Darfur. It has pledged an extra one hundred and fifty million pounds - which is something like 270 million USD!!
Here is a copy of the report from Scotsman.com, in full. Disappointingly, I found no BBC news online report of this great news:
"Today the humanitarian tragedy in Sudan is deeper than at the time of Live Aid - which started in Sudan 20 years ago - and we must act now," the Chancellor told MPs. "The international development secretary is today announcing that he is setting aside now, to be made available immediately a peace agreement is signed, emergency and other relief to address Sudan’s crisis.
"The total over the next three years will be at least £150 million more." The extra money will go only to Sudan, where millions are facing the dual threats of starvation and militia attack in the southern region of Darfur, when peace is assured.
Hilary Benn, the International Development Secretary, emerged as one of the clear beneficiaries of the Chancellor’s spending review, with an annual real-terms rise in budget of 9.2 per cent.
Chancellor Brown restated Tony Blair’s aim to make next year, when Britain has the presidency of the G8 group of industrialised nations, a time to focus on the "needs of Africa".
He said: "As we play our part in addressing global injustices, our country’s obligation is not to cut overseas aid but to increase it."
Aid organisations and charities immediately welcomed Mr Brown’s commitment to increasing Britain’s aid budget, with Oxfam calling it "a significant and welcome moment that will transform the lives of millions".
Speaking for Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa (DATA), Bono, the U2 singer and long-time campaigner, said: "This is incredible news from the Chancellor for people that he will never meet, but who will owe him and British taxpayers their lives."
- - -
U.K. OXFAM AID PLANE LEFT LONDON
Carrying emergency aid for Darfur
Oxfam sent a plane on Friday July 9 with £160,000 worth of emergency aid for Darfur. The plane will allow the aid agency to begin work in three new refugee camps in Chad. It left London Manston airport carrying materials to construct emergency water and sanitation facilities for more than 35,000 refugees.
In the July 9 report, Oxfam described conditions in many of the refugee camps as "dire and deteriorating" as more and more people arrive each day.
At Bredjing, eastern Chad, just 63 latrines are available for the population of 24,000. Many people are running out of food, and drinking water is scarce. Half the people in the camp lack basic shelter from the elements - torrential rain and scorching daytime temperatures of up 50 degrees.
Nick Roseveare, Oxfam's deputy humanitarian director, said: "The rains are making a desperate situation even worse. The dirt roads are becoming impassable and the two-hour journey to Bredjing camp is now taking days, with staff having to wade through waist deep water to reach the camp.
"Floodwaters are washing human and animal waste into water sources raising fears of outbreaks of disease such as cholera and diarrhoea. For people, particularly children, already suffering from malnutrition and dehydration these diseases can kill."
Mr Roseveare added: "The water and sanitation equipment on the plane will enable engineers to construct emergency water storage and distribution systems and to build latrines in Bredjing camp and elsewhere. These supplies will help boost our public health programme to help over 115,000 women, men and children.
href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sudan/story/0,14658,1257853,00.html
- - -
U.K. DELEGATION RETURNS FROM 7 DAYS IN SUDAN
And call for every western European government to match UK aid
On June 27 a delegation of British MPs visited Sudan for seven-days to assess the extent of famine in the war-torn Darfur region. The visit follows the signing of a framework peace agreement between the Sudanese government and the breakaway Sudan People’s Liberation Army on May 26, following years of war which have significantly contributed to humanitarian problems in the east African state.
- - -
BLAIR SENDS MESSAGE TO SUDANESE PRESIDENT
U.K. Ambassador William Pattey in Khartoum
July 3: Sudan's Foreign Minister Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail has received a written message from UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to the President of the Republic Gen. Omer Al-Bashir. This arrived on Saturday when the Minister received Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Khartoum Mr. William Pattey.

Dr. Ismail also met a delegation of the British House of Commons from all three main parties and briefed them on the measures adopted by the government to solve the situation in Darfur in the humanitarian, security and political fields. Deputy speaker of the National Assembly Angelo Beda also met with the delegation and reviewed the peace process and situations in Darfur States.
- - -
BLAIR AND ANNAN DISCUSS STRATEGY
Militia activity needs to be controlled - or else
July 7: UK Prime Minister Tony Blair warned the Sudanese government to expect tougher international action if it fails to help aid get through to people in Darfur. He said that Britain could back sanctions against Sudan if much needed foreign aid fails to reach victims of the conflict in the western Darfur region.
Mr Blair said he had spoken with Kofi Annan on Tuesday (July 6) to "develop the right strategy" for dealing with the Sudan crisis.
- - -
BLAIR TO BACK SUDAN SANCTIONS
If no aid for Darfur victims
July 7: UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said sanctions should be imposed on Sudan if the Khartoum government did not lift obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid to the thousands of displaced people in Darfur.
Speaking in parliament, Mr Blair said he reviewed the crisis Tuesday (July 6) with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and that "there is food there now" ready to be distributed to those who need it. But, he added, the Sudanese authorities had to do their part as well, "and if they do not cooperate, we will have to consider what further measures we will take".
A draft United Nations resolution proposed by the United States calls for an arms and travel embargo on the pro-Khartoum Janjaweed Arab militias which have been killing and raping black Africans in Darfur, with the possibility of extending the sanctions to the Sudanese government. Germany has backed the text, and called for the arms embargo to be imposed on all of Sudan.
- - -
CARROTS, STICKS AND SANCTIONS
Janjaweed have considerable wealth
The US, UN and EU are now losing patience and stepping up political and military pressure on Sudan.
July 9: UN Security Council members struggled over whether to impose sanctions on militia leaders sowing death in Darfur, with some opposed and Europeans suggesting an arms embargo on all of Sudan.
During a July 12-13 meeting of EU foreign ministers, the EU warned of sanctions against the Sudan government over Darfur. After the meeting, Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot said the Sudanese government must understand “in crystal clear terms that it cannot escape its responsibility” to bring the counterinsurgency attacks to a halt.
July 14: EU said if it sees no signs of change in Sudan within a matter of days, it will review how to increase pressure on GoS and impose sanctions.
- - -
Some reports say that the problem with economic sanctions, is they may have little effect on the Khartoum government. The long-running war among Sudan’s government and its people has devastated the economy of a country whose annual per capita income — at barely $350 — is already among the world’s lowest.
Other reports say the Janjaweed bandits make their living by stealing food, livestock and looting, but that Arab tribal leaders are very wealthy and would feel humiliated if travel bans were imposed on them. No doubt GoS leaders are wealthy and have thought through their exit routes and plans and stashed away all sorts of "personal assets".
There's not a lot the EU can do in the economic field other than impose a travel ban, suspend its preferential trade arrangements with Sudan and withhold development aid, an EU official told DefenseNews.com on July 14:“Sudan depends heavily on development aid, so suspending that — but not humanitarian aid, of course — might carry some weight,” the official said. “But then again, we’ve imposed similar sanctions on Zimbabwe and there’s been no regime change there, either.”
The EU has no formal trade relations with Sudan due to the war, and provides only humanitarian aid. So there's no development aid for the union to withhold as a sanction. Nor can it withhold arms, as it already imposes an arms embargo on the country.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/18/2004
- - -
GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN
Defies United Nations and European Union
Following the recent visit of Powell and Annan to Darfur and Khartoum, the Government of Sudan continues to defy the UN (comprising 191 sovereign states, including the US and UK) and the European Union (comprising 25 European countries, including the UK).
In the week following Powell and Annan's visit to Khartoum, it took three days of arm twisting with GoS at a summit meeting of the African Union (AU) to get them to agree to allow 270 AU-led armed troops to protect the ceasefire observers and provide security for the aid and humanitarian assistance on the ground.
One report states "this shows the continent's old taboo of silence about human rights abuses is under pressure as never before. Confidential wording of the protection force's mandate stipulates that they protect only AU observers. The primary responsibility for protecting the displaced people rests with the Sudanese government but AU officials said after the summit that the protection force could not stand idly by if they saw civilians being attacked. The GoS strongly objected to incoming AU troops guarding anything other than the AU ceasefire observers, saying it alone is responsible for the security of Darfur's people and can protect its own civilians."
- - -
On July 13 it was reported that Sudan says 3,000 police already in Darfur.
Other reports mention the 6,000 armed policemen and troops that Bashir promised to Powell to protect refugees by the end of this month - are simply Janjaweeds kitted out with new gear and police uniforms, which is like arranging for the foxes to guard the chickens.
Like Jim Moore says: you can't make this stuff up.
- - -
CHAD AND SUDAN AGREE ON JOINT FORCE
To monitor Darfur border

On July 11 Sudan agreed with Chad to deploy a joint force along their troubled border, Chad national radio reported. The agreement was reached between Sudan's President Omar al-Beshir and his Chadian counterpart Idriss Deby at a summit meeting in the Sudanese town of Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state located 20 kilometers from the border.
It will be interesting to see how the two Presidents get along. Not a lot of what Bashir says in public comes true.
- - -
Most British readers will probably smile at what AA Gill says about the French in his report from the ground in Chad published in last week's Sunday Times. Here's an excerpt from the report with some information on Chad:
"Chad is about the size of Germany, with a population of just 9m. It isn't quite the poorest country on Earth any more, but it is way down there: 80% of the population live below the poverty line, 80% work the sand. Its primary exports are a handkerchief of cotton, a few cattle and a near-monopoly of the world's gum arabic needs. Gum arabic is essential in the manufacture of good-quality watercolours.
Chad has no airline, no railways, it has 33,400 kilometres of road, but only 267 kilometres of them are tarmacked. Life expectancy is 48 years, and only if you don't expect much. It does, though, have a glut of human diversity: 200 ethnic groups.
Chad has three pressing problems. It has the black curse of Africa: unexploited oil. It has the same flag as Romania, and it has between 100,000 and 200,000 refugees. It has gone to the UN to protest about the flag business.
To get about, you either hitch a lift on a lorry, hire a four-wheel-drive and stutter across the desert, or beg a seat on one of the small humanitarian flights that sustain a skeletal relief effort. After a couple of days hanging out in the two-storey breeze-block and barbed wire boredom of Ndjamena, we managed to get a flight into the east. At the airport the top-secret French Mirage fighters screamed secretly into the shimmering morning air to spy on North Africa.
The French can never actually leave their old colonies. They hang around like gun-toting divorced husbands. We fly to Abeche, which puts up with another French base; legionnaires lounging in the shadow of their Jeeps, sporting nut-hugging camouflage shorts and coquettish little berets. For all their surly elan, they always look like the backing group for the Village People".
- - -
July 15: Egypt said Thursday (July 15) that neighboring Sudan needs more time and help to restore peace in Darfur and should not be threatened. Egypt may seek to send observers to join the African Union-led mission monitoring a truce between the Sudanese government and rebel groups in Sudan's war-torn western Darfur region. Sounds good. But read on ... in the following excerpt: looks like the Egyptians got hoodwinked, or are siding with GoS:
"The problem of Darfur is complicated and not a simple one that can be resolved by imposing sanctions," argued Egypt's Presidential spokesman Fatah. He said Sudan should be given a chance to implement the commitments it made to the international community regarding Darfur. "The Sudanese government sees that it is capable of controlling the situation and disarming the factions," he added. Sudan only requested logistical, humanitarian and material support as it goes about implementing the commitments it made, according to the Egyptian presidential spokesman. "And they have Egypt's support in this direction," he added.
- - -
MILITARY INTERVENTION FOR SUDAN
The first foreign troops on Sudanese soil by July 30, 2004:
Following an agreement at the recent AU summit, a protection force are soon to start a 12-month observer mission in Sudan. The mission will comprise 120 observers — including EU and U.S. military observers — and a protection force of 270 troops. The armed troops are being drawn from units in the AU states of Rwanda, Nigeria, Botswana and Tanzania. They will be led by the AU and funded by the EU at a cost of 26 million USD.
Their mission will be to protect the ceasefire observers and provide security for the aid and humanitarian assistance on the ground. They will be the first foreign troops to set foot on Sudanese soil, which goes to show how things are changing in Africa.
- - -
Note, the EU supports AU led peacekeeping missions from its new 250 million euros Africa Peace Facility fund, so it seems feasbile the EU could support a larger mission in Sudan.
- - -
DENMARK AGREED TO SEND FORCES TO SUDAN
As part of the UN SHIRBRIG group
A few days ago I found a Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) report dated April 1, 2004.
My guess is that several hundred "observers" in the guise of aid workers etc., have been sent to Sudan by the UN and EU in unnoticeable small numbers these past two months to see what is going on in western Sudan, gather evidence and witness statements, test entry visas, bureacracy, hold ups etc. Excerpt:
"Denmark announced Thursday that it has agreed to send army troops to Sudan as part of the United Nations (UN) SHIRBRIG group. Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the Danish Foreign Ministry in charge of the Sudan file, Michael Braad, said, "The Foreign Affairs Committee at the Parliament approved yesterday the suggestion of the Foreign Minister, Per Stig Moller, to send troops to this country which is suffering from civil war."
He said that 45 soldiers will be sent to Sudan, but affirmed that medical and humanitarian aid will also be sent. Braad added, "Denmark has stood ready since last year to send troops to Sudan despite the fact that it was not asked to do so by the UN."
He went on to explain that Danish preparations come as part of the country's participation in the SHIRBRIG group, which is made up of 16 countries and aims to be present in conflict areas in the world until the UN can take control of matters in them."
- - -
SUDAN'S ISLAMIST PARTY HQ CLOSED
Turabi and others detained for alleged plot to overthrow GoS
Ref next post above, here is some more news dated April 1, 2004. BBC reports on the closure of Sudan's Islamist party HQ. Excerpt:
"Sudanese authorities are reported to have shut down the headquarters of the party of the main opposition Islamist leader Hassan al-Turabi. Mr Turabi was detained along with several opposition politicians and army officers over an alleged plot to overthrow President Omar al-Bashir.
He has denied his party - the Popular Congress Party (PCP) - was involved. Officials have also accused the alleged coup-plotters of links with rebels in the western province of Darfur.
Mr Turabi told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme before his arrest said there had been "tension within the army" but there had not been an attempt to overthrow the government. He said he felt the government was trying to aggravate the situation to prepare the ground for his arrest and to ban the PCP completely.
The opposition leader is a former ally of Mr Bashir, who came to power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989. Mr Turabi was previously detained in 2001 after a power struggle with Mr Bashir - and was released from house arrest in October last year.
The BBC's Alfred Taban in Khartoum says the city's former governor, Badr-Eldin Taha has gone into hiding, accused of supporting the Darfur rebels.
GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN
Defies United Nations and European Union
Following the recent visit of Powell and Annan to Darfur and Khartoum, the Government of Sudan continues to defy the UN (comprising 191 sovereign states, including the US and UK) and the European Union (comprising 25 European countries, including the UK).
In the week following Powell and Annan's visit to Khartoum, it took three days of arm twisting with GoS at a summit meeting of the African Union (AU) to get them to agree to allow 270 AU-led armed troops to protect the ceasefire observers and provide security for the aid and humanitarian assistance on the ground.
One report states "this shows the continent's old taboo of silence about human rights abuses is under pressure as never before. Confidential wording of the protection force's mandate stipulates that they protect only AU observers. The primary responsibility for protecting the displaced people rests with the Sudanese government but AU officials said after the summit that the protection force could not stand idly by if they saw civilians being attacked. The GoS strongly objected to incoming AU troops guarding anything other than the AU ceasefire observers, saying it alone is responsible for the security of Darfur's people and can protect its own civilians."
- - -
On July 13 it was reported that Sudan says 3,000 police already in Darfur.
Other reports mention the 6,000 armed policemen and troops that Bashir promised to Powell to protect refugees by the end of this month - are simply Janjaweeds kitted out with new gear and police uniforms, which is like arranging for the foxes to guard the chickens.
Like Jim Moore says: you can't make this stuff up.
- - -
CHAD AND SUDAN AGREE ON JOINT FORCE
To monitor Darfur border

On July 11 Sudan agreed with Chad to deploy a joint force along their troubled border, Chad national radio reported. The agreement was reached between Sudan's President Omar al-Beshir and his Chadian counterpart Idriss Deby at a summit meeting in the Sudanese town of Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state located 20 kilometers from the border.
It will be interesting to see how the two Presidents get along. Not a lot of what Bashir says in public comes true.
- - -
Most British readers will probably smile at what AA Gill says about the French in his report from the ground in Chad published in last week's Sunday Times. Here's an excerpt from the report with some information on Chad:
"Chad is about the size of Germany, with a population of just 9m. It isn't quite the poorest country on Earth any more, but it is way down there: 80% of the population live below the poverty line, 80% work the sand. Its primary exports are a handkerchief of cotton, a few cattle and a near-monopoly of the world's gum arabic needs. Gum arabic is essential in the manufacture of good-quality watercolours.
Chad has no airline, no railways, it has 33,400 kilometres of road, but only 267 kilometres of them are tarmacked. Life expectancy is 48 years, and only if you don't expect much. It does, though, have a glut of human diversity: 200 ethnic groups.
Chad has three pressing problems. It has the black curse of Africa: unexploited oil. It has the same flag as Romania, and it has between 100,000 and 200,000 refugees. It has gone to the UN to protest about the flag business.
To get about, you either hitch a lift on a lorry, hire a four-wheel-drive and stutter across the desert, or beg a seat on one of the small humanitarian flights that sustain a skeletal relief effort. After a couple of days hanging out in the two-storey breeze-block and barbed wire boredom of Ndjamena, we managed to get a flight into the east. At the airport the top-secret French Mirage fighters screamed secretly into the shimmering morning air to spy on North Africa.
The French can never actually leave their old colonies. They hang around like gun-toting divorced husbands. We fly to Abeche, which puts up with another French base; legionnaires lounging in the shadow of their Jeeps, sporting nut-hugging camouflage shorts and coquettish little berets. For all their surly elan, they always look like the backing group for the Village People".
- - -
July 15: Egypt said Thursday (July 15) that neighboring Sudan needs more time and help to restore peace in Darfur and should not be threatened. Egypt may seek to send observers to join the African Union-led mission monitoring a truce between the Sudanese government and rebel groups in Sudan's war-torn western Darfur region. Sounds good. But read on ... in the following excerpt: looks like the Egyptians got hoodwinked, or are siding with GoS:
"The problem of Darfur is complicated and not a simple one that can be resolved by imposing sanctions," argued Egypt's Presidential spokesman Fatah. He said Sudan should be given a chance to implement the commitments it made to the international community regarding Darfur. "The Sudanese government sees that it is capable of controlling the situation and disarming the factions," he added. Sudan only requested logistical, humanitarian and material support as it goes about implementing the commitments it made, according to the Egyptian presidential spokesman. "And they have Egypt's support in this direction," he added.
- - -
MILITARY INTERVENTION FOR SUDAN
The first foreign troops on Sudanese soil by July 30, 2004:
Following an agreement at the recent AU summit, a protection force are soon to start a 12-month observer mission in Sudan. The mission will comprise 120 observers — including EU and U.S. military observers — and a protection force of 270 troops. The armed troops are being drawn from units in the AU states of Rwanda, Nigeria, Botswana and Tanzania. They will be led by the AU and funded by the EU at a cost of 26 million USD.
Their mission will be to protect the ceasefire observers and provide security for the aid and humanitarian assistance on the ground. They will be the first foreign troops to set foot on Sudanese soil, which goes to show how things are changing in Africa.
- - -
Note, the EU supports AU led peacekeeping missions from its new 250 million euros Africa Peace Facility fund, so it seems feasbile the EU could support a larger mission in Sudan.
- - -
DENMARK AGREED TO SEND FORCES TO SUDAN
As part of the UN SHIRBRIG group
A few days ago I found a Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) report dated April 1, 2004.
My guess is that several hundred "observers" in the guise of aid workers etc., have been sent to Sudan by the UN and EU in unnoticeable small numbers these past two months to see what is going on in western Sudan, gather evidence and witness statements, test entry visas, bureacracy, hold ups etc. Excerpt:
"Denmark announced Thursday that it has agreed to send army troops to Sudan as part of the United Nations (UN) SHIRBRIG group. Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the Danish Foreign Ministry in charge of the Sudan file, Michael Braad, said, "The Foreign Affairs Committee at the Parliament approved yesterday the suggestion of the Foreign Minister, Per Stig Moller, to send troops to this country which is suffering from civil war."
He said that 45 soldiers will be sent to Sudan, but affirmed that medical and humanitarian aid will also be sent. Braad added, "Denmark has stood ready since last year to send troops to Sudan despite the fact that it was not asked to do so by the UN."
He went on to explain that Danish preparations come as part of the country's participation in the SHIRBRIG group, which is made up of 16 countries and aims to be present in conflict areas in the world until the UN can take control of matters in them."
- - -
SUDAN'S ISLAMIST PARTY HQ CLOSED
Turabi and others detained for alleged plot to overthrow GoS
Ref next post above, here is some more news dated April 1, 2004. BBC reports on the closure of Sudan's Islamist party HQ. Excerpt:
"Sudanese authorities are reported to have shut down the headquarters of the party of the main opposition Islamist leader Hassan al-Turabi. Mr Turabi was detained along with several opposition politicians and army officers over an alleged plot to overthrow President Omar al-Bashir.
He has denied his party - the Popular Congress Party (PCP) - was involved. Officials have also accused the alleged coup-plotters of links with rebels in the western province of Darfur.
Mr Turabi told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme before his arrest said there had been "tension within the army" but there had not been an attempt to overthrow the government. He said he felt the government was trying to aggravate the situation to prepare the ground for his arrest and to ban the PCP completely.
The opposition leader is a former ally of Mr Bashir, who came to power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989. Mr Turabi was previously detained in 2001 after a power struggle with Mr Bashir - and was released from house arrest in October last year.
The BBC's Alfred Taban in Khartoum says the city's former governor, Badr-Eldin Taha has gone into hiding, accused of supporting the Darfur rebels.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/18/2004
Saturday, July 17, 2004
AID WORKERS ATTACKED
WFP only has half the food it needs to feed camp
Meanwhile, the killings continue. And aid workers are being attacked and carjacked. The long forecasted and expected rainy season that normally takes place July - September has started and is hampering relief work. Within the next two weeks huge areas will be cut off by floods and mud.
July 6: Two UNHCR trucks got stuck in a flooded wadi between Abeche, the main city in eastern Chad, and the border town of Adre. One truck managed to drive out while the other remains stuck. "The trucks were empty when they got stuck, which shows how much more difficult it will be soon to travel on these roads with trucks loaded with food, relief supplies or refugees," said UNHCR spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis at a news briefing in Geneva Tuesday.
UNHCR trucks caught in a flooded wadi between Abeche and Breidjing camp in eastern Chad. © UNHCR/C.Sanders
At the same time the above picture was taken, a team from the Norwegian Church Aid was carjacked on the way from Touloum camp to Iridimi camp. The NCA vehicle was flagged down by a man standing along the road, who then pulled out a gun, boarded the pickup and ordered them to drive to the bush, picking up a group of seven heavily armed masked men in military clothing en route. The aid workers were finally released near the town of Bahai at around 4.30 pm. The hijackers removed the NCA and UNHCR logos which were on the doors of the car and drove away. The identity of the attackers is not known.
- - -
July 15: BBC correspondent Hilary Andersson reports from Darfur: "...Many people here spend the entire night sitting upright, unable to lie down in their makeshift shelters because of the torrential rains that have turned the ground into an enormous pool of water. And of course that helps breed disease. The sewage problem is absolutely appalling.
And so what you have is starvation and disease all rolled into one and an absolutely devastating spectacle. Some foreign aid agencies here are trying to improve the situation but the clean water that they are able to provide is not enough for the huge numbers in need of it. On top of that, the World Food Programme at the moment only has half the food it needs to feed the camp.
- - -
Ref the above shocking news from BBC correspondent Hilary Andersson, the World Food Programme has had years of experience to plan these things, it's had 16 months advance warning of the conflict in western Sudan and it has had plenty of money to get food into that camp. Like I said, weeks ago, it's outrageous that there seems to be no accountability. A scandal that they are getting away with spending billions of dollars and not meeting the needs of those who need it most. It's appalling. Heads should roll.
Here is an excerpt from Ethan's post of July 5 where he writes about Darfur and a report of an interview with Jan Egeland, the UN undersecretary on humanitarian affairs:
"...Jan Egeland has been the most passionate and persistent voice on the global stage talking about the situation in Darfur. In an interview with the UN's IRIN news service, he clears up a couple of interesting misconceptions about the situation in Darfur. A few points I found interesting:
- He believes the current aid problems are financial ones, not access ones. Aid workers are helping over 800,000 people and are able to reach most of the people who need help, so access is a less serious issue than when Andrew Natsios challenged the Khartoum government.
- While the US, UK and a couple of EU states have stepped to the plate, contributing meaningfully to the relief efforts, most EU and AU nations have not, and the oil-rich Arab states have done nothing.
- While there's been speculation that the attacks by Janjawid have been motivated by a desire to claim land, many of the villages attacked have been destroyed entirely. In many cases, corpses of farm animals have been dumped in wells, rendering those wells useless and the villages uninhabitable..."
- - -
Here's my response to Ethan's post. Here's Jan Egeland once again, blaming it all on finances. I'm sorry, it is just not good enough. As I've not seen Egeland ever apologising, I wonder if he sees the UN and aid agencies as perfect models of efficiency. Yes, he appears to be the most passionate and persistent voice on the global stage talking about the situation in Darfur but I've yet to see a report featuring his name where it does not boil down to saying there is not enough money to get aid to the people who need it most. I guess if there ever was enough money, he'd blame something else, like the weather.
Does anyone (except the UN) say it is good value for money? There might be enough money to feed the whole of Africa if the UN did not cost so many billions. Who measures the efficiency and co-ordination of UN aid agencies? Who co-ordinates all the international relief organisations? How come, right now, the World Food Programme is saying it only has half the food it needs to feed a refugee camp in Africa - victims of a conflict that started 16 months ago (plenty of warning) and now - at a time when the long forecasted (plenty of warning) rainy season has started - it resorts to air dropping 1,400 tonnes of food. Who is on the ground to pick it up and distribute it? If Egeland is saying access was not such a problem, how come the WFP is resorting to massively expensive air drops? And who is on the ground to pick it up and distribute it now that the rainy season is cutting off large areas? How can they be sure it will reach the refugees - or that it will be looted by the Janjaweed?
- - -
DAYS OF TRANQUILITY NEEDED
To reach 500,000 children in Darfur
This sounds good. Hopefully, the workers on the ground are feeding a lot of intelligence back to the U.N.
July 9: UNICEF and WHO announce 2 million children in Darfur have now been vaccinated against measles, but that an estimated 500,000 more cannot be reached because of prevailing insecurity. In order to reach them, a "Days of Tranquility" declaration, when all armed parties cease fighting to ensure the security of vaccination teams, is urgently needed.
UNICEF and WHO have frequently crossed fighting lines in other conflict-ridden countries during Days of Tranquility to negotiate between warring parties and carry out life-saving vaccination campaigns.
July 15: The UN's World Food Program reached what officials called a "landmark'' agreement with Libya. Libya has flown in humanitarian aid and helped the US with acess and routes into Darfur. Now Libya has allowed ships to dock at the Mediterranean Sea port of Benghazi and for trucks to take an overland route to Chad and Darfur.
Update July 18:
July 15: Squirrel in DC points to BBC report re UN's Jan Egeland statement that Darfur was becoming too dangerous for aid workers.
July 14: BBC report says Darfur security us deteriorating. Here is an excerpt: "The United Nations' top emergency relief official has warned that the security situation in Sudan's Darfur region is becoming more difficult. Jan Egeland, who has just visited Darfur, said relief supplies had been looted and humanitarian workers attacked by militia. Mr Egeland told a news conference progress was being made in reaching the refugees. However, he said, Darfur was becoming too dangerous for aid workers. "We are now in this moment of truth, which will last for some weeks. "My worst scenario is that the security will deteriorate, that we will step back at a moment we have to actually step up [emergency relief]." Mr Egeland said aid workers were being attacked and emergency supplies stolen. He said the government had to do "much more to disarm the infamous Janjaweed militia".
- - -
YOUNG STUDENT OF ENGLISH IN DARFUR UNIVERSITY SAYS:
We need two things: Water and an English department
Here is another excerpt from the report on Sudan by well known British journalist AA Gill who recently returned from the region. This extract from the report entitled WELCOME TO HELL, follows two pages of heart wrenching testimony:
"...In another refugee camp, at Touloum, a boy, perhaps 20, approaches me. He is wearing a once-smart sports jacket and trousers and - a rare thing - spectacles. "You speak English?" he asks. "I was a student of English in Darfur at the university. I was in my second year." He looks round the ragged shelters. "This is a bad place, very bad. We need two things: water and an English department."
I think he means it as a joke; it's a bleakly funny line. But he is absolutely serious. He is close to tears and I understand what a struggle it must have been to get to university at all, what a monumental investment, not just for him but his family, his village, this slightly bookish boy in his western charity clothes and wise glasses, already approaching statistical middle age, cast out as homeless, begging flotsam among a diaspora of grieving women. It is such a pitiful waste. A damnable squandering of this heroic spark..."
- - -
Coincidentally, Jim Moore has posted a picture of a list of massacres, compiled by refugees in the same camp as the young man mentioned above: Touloum refugee camp, Chad, along with this caption "The refugees are desperate to have their stories told - they want the world to know where, when, what and who." See Jim's unusual photo.
Note, at the Passion of the Present blog the latest major news developments on Sudan are updated daily.
WFP only has half the food it needs to feed camp
Meanwhile, the killings continue. And aid workers are being attacked and carjacked. The long forecasted and expected rainy season that normally takes place July - September has started and is hampering relief work. Within the next two weeks huge areas will be cut off by floods and mud.
July 6: Two UNHCR trucks got stuck in a flooded wadi between Abeche, the main city in eastern Chad, and the border town of Adre. One truck managed to drive out while the other remains stuck. "The trucks were empty when they got stuck, which shows how much more difficult it will be soon to travel on these roads with trucks loaded with food, relief supplies or refugees," said UNHCR spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis at a news briefing in Geneva Tuesday.
UNHCR trucks caught in a flooded wadi between Abeche and Breidjing camp in eastern Chad. © UNHCR/C.Sanders
At the same time the above picture was taken, a team from the Norwegian Church Aid was carjacked on the way from Touloum camp to Iridimi camp. The NCA vehicle was flagged down by a man standing along the road, who then pulled out a gun, boarded the pickup and ordered them to drive to the bush, picking up a group of seven heavily armed masked men in military clothing en route. The aid workers were finally released near the town of Bahai at around 4.30 pm. The hijackers removed the NCA and UNHCR logos which were on the doors of the car and drove away. The identity of the attackers is not known.
- - -
July 15: BBC correspondent Hilary Andersson reports from Darfur: "...Many people here spend the entire night sitting upright, unable to lie down in their makeshift shelters because of the torrential rains that have turned the ground into an enormous pool of water. And of course that helps breed disease. The sewage problem is absolutely appalling.
And so what you have is starvation and disease all rolled into one and an absolutely devastating spectacle. Some foreign aid agencies here are trying to improve the situation but the clean water that they are able to provide is not enough for the huge numbers in need of it. On top of that, the World Food Programme at the moment only has half the food it needs to feed the camp.
- - -
Ref the above shocking news from BBC correspondent Hilary Andersson, the World Food Programme has had years of experience to plan these things, it's had 16 months advance warning of the conflict in western Sudan and it has had plenty of money to get food into that camp. Like I said, weeks ago, it's outrageous that there seems to be no accountability. A scandal that they are getting away with spending billions of dollars and not meeting the needs of those who need it most. It's appalling. Heads should roll.
Here is an excerpt from Ethan's post of July 5 where he writes about Darfur and a report of an interview with Jan Egeland, the UN undersecretary on humanitarian affairs:
"...Jan Egeland has been the most passionate and persistent voice on the global stage talking about the situation in Darfur. In an interview with the UN's IRIN news service, he clears up a couple of interesting misconceptions about the situation in Darfur. A few points I found interesting:
- He believes the current aid problems are financial ones, not access ones. Aid workers are helping over 800,000 people and are able to reach most of the people who need help, so access is a less serious issue than when Andrew Natsios challenged the Khartoum government.
- While the US, UK and a couple of EU states have stepped to the plate, contributing meaningfully to the relief efforts, most EU and AU nations have not, and the oil-rich Arab states have done nothing.
- While there's been speculation that the attacks by Janjawid have been motivated by a desire to claim land, many of the villages attacked have been destroyed entirely. In many cases, corpses of farm animals have been dumped in wells, rendering those wells useless and the villages uninhabitable..."
- - -
Here's my response to Ethan's post. Here's Jan Egeland once again, blaming it all on finances. I'm sorry, it is just not good enough. As I've not seen Egeland ever apologising, I wonder if he sees the UN and aid agencies as perfect models of efficiency. Yes, he appears to be the most passionate and persistent voice on the global stage talking about the situation in Darfur but I've yet to see a report featuring his name where it does not boil down to saying there is not enough money to get aid to the people who need it most. I guess if there ever was enough money, he'd blame something else, like the weather.
Does anyone (except the UN) say it is good value for money? There might be enough money to feed the whole of Africa if the UN did not cost so many billions. Who measures the efficiency and co-ordination of UN aid agencies? Who co-ordinates all the international relief organisations? How come, right now, the World Food Programme is saying it only has half the food it needs to feed a refugee camp in Africa - victims of a conflict that started 16 months ago (plenty of warning) and now - at a time when the long forecasted (plenty of warning) rainy season has started - it resorts to air dropping 1,400 tonnes of food. Who is on the ground to pick it up and distribute it? If Egeland is saying access was not such a problem, how come the WFP is resorting to massively expensive air drops? And who is on the ground to pick it up and distribute it now that the rainy season is cutting off large areas? How can they be sure it will reach the refugees - or that it will be looted by the Janjaweed?
- - -
DAYS OF TRANQUILITY NEEDED
To reach 500,000 children in Darfur
This sounds good. Hopefully, the workers on the ground are feeding a lot of intelligence back to the U.N.
July 9: UNICEF and WHO announce 2 million children in Darfur have now been vaccinated against measles, but that an estimated 500,000 more cannot be reached because of prevailing insecurity. In order to reach them, a "Days of Tranquility" declaration, when all armed parties cease fighting to ensure the security of vaccination teams, is urgently needed.
UNICEF and WHO have frequently crossed fighting lines in other conflict-ridden countries during Days of Tranquility to negotiate between warring parties and carry out life-saving vaccination campaigns.
July 15: The UN's World Food Program reached what officials called a "landmark'' agreement with Libya. Libya has flown in humanitarian aid and helped the US with acess and routes into Darfur. Now Libya has allowed ships to dock at the Mediterranean Sea port of Benghazi and for trucks to take an overland route to Chad and Darfur.
Update July 18:
July 15: Squirrel in DC points to BBC report re UN's Jan Egeland statement that Darfur was becoming too dangerous for aid workers.
July 14: BBC report says Darfur security us deteriorating. Here is an excerpt: "The United Nations' top emergency relief official has warned that the security situation in Sudan's Darfur region is becoming more difficult. Jan Egeland, who has just visited Darfur, said relief supplies had been looted and humanitarian workers attacked by militia. Mr Egeland told a news conference progress was being made in reaching the refugees. However, he said, Darfur was becoming too dangerous for aid workers. "We are now in this moment of truth, which will last for some weeks. "My worst scenario is that the security will deteriorate, that we will step back at a moment we have to actually step up [emergency relief]." Mr Egeland said aid workers were being attacked and emergency supplies stolen. He said the government had to do "much more to disarm the infamous Janjaweed militia".
- - -
YOUNG STUDENT OF ENGLISH IN DARFUR UNIVERSITY SAYS:
We need two things: Water and an English department
Here is another excerpt from the report on Sudan by well known British journalist AA Gill who recently returned from the region. This extract from the report entitled WELCOME TO HELL, follows two pages of heart wrenching testimony:
"...In another refugee camp, at Touloum, a boy, perhaps 20, approaches me. He is wearing a once-smart sports jacket and trousers and - a rare thing - spectacles. "You speak English?" he asks. "I was a student of English in Darfur at the university. I was in my second year." He looks round the ragged shelters. "This is a bad place, very bad. We need two things: water and an English department."
I think he means it as a joke; it's a bleakly funny line. But he is absolutely serious. He is close to tears and I understand what a struggle it must have been to get to university at all, what a monumental investment, not just for him but his family, his village, this slightly bookish boy in his western charity clothes and wise glasses, already approaching statistical middle age, cast out as homeless, begging flotsam among a diaspora of grieving women. It is such a pitiful waste. A damnable squandering of this heroic spark..."
- - -
Coincidentally, Jim Moore has posted a picture of a list of massacres, compiled by refugees in the same camp as the young man mentioned above: Touloum refugee camp, Chad, along with this caption "The refugees are desperate to have their stories told - they want the world to know where, when, what and who." See Jim's unusual photo.
Note, at the Passion of the Present blog the latest major news developments on Sudan are updated daily.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/17/2004
- - -
U.S. CONGRESS TO VOTE
On officially classing Darfur as "genocide"
The citizens of America and Britain can be proud of their governments. In humanitarian aid for Darfur the U.S. has pledged 300 million usd, and the U.K. 270 million usd. Italy has given 30 million usd. Quelle surprise: France 12 (twelve) million usd.
Myself and other British bloggers have sent letters to our Members of Parliament and church leaders. And we have interacted with the blogs of British politicians. Our voices are listened to, and do count.
Think of the trillions of words that are written and said by American and British anti-war protestors trying to condemn and pull down Bush and Blair over liberating the people of Iraq from a greedy and ruthless mass murdering dictatorship. Our political representatives need to know that our leaders have public support in sending troops into a war that will make Baghdad look like a picnic.
If genocide in Darfur is officially declared, it will trigger thousands of troops into Sudan to provide humanitarian assistance and security for the region and allow the refugees to return home. No doubt the military strategy would have to include the removal of the present unelected dictatorship in Khartoum and the capturing and imprisonment of all perpetrators to be put on trial for war crimes.
Jim Moore says the action of the U.S. Congress vote is about as important as anything gets in the United States. He explains how American bloggers can help now. All major news developments on the Sudan are posted daily at the Passion of the Present blog out of Harvard.
In short, American bloggers could make one phone call, or copy a letter sent by the Passion to President Bush and email it asap to their Senator or Congressperson to support the important step of declaring Darfur a region of genocide.
Here is an example of a letter written by Patrick Hall at The Horn of Africa blog. Patrick is hoping for a verdict on terminology next week.
Update July 18: American blogger Rebecca at Mystical Politics explains how to send a letter to the President and other public officials about Darfur, from the AJWS Action Center. AJWS is the American Jewish World Service.
- - -
Further reading:
July 15: Passion of the Present post: Senator John Kerry calls Sudan "genocide".
July 15: BBC report on the US and prospect of international intervention: "with so much domestic concern about US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, any fresh commitment, especially in a region as large and troublesome as Darfur, would be very hard to sell."
Squeaks from the squirrel cage blog in Washington, DC.
July 16: Ref Senator John Kerry's speech on declaring genocide in Sudan, Squirrel in DC says: "First, it's easy to say what needs to be said when the onus to act remains on someone else".
Note to Squirrel: Seems to me the Bush administration is working hard at trying to resolve the Sudan crisis. Considering the bashing that many people are so unkindly giving to Bush and Blair over freeing the people of Iraq from a ruthlessly cruel and greedy dictator who attacked neighbouring Iran and defied years of UN resolutions, it would be interesting to know how many American soldiers, if any, President Kerry would send to Sudan. And, how many parents in his Boston constituency would be willing to send their young sons and daughters to Africa to fight against ruthless and savage outlaws on horses and camels in the African desert.
July 18: Jim Moore: "How to engineer a genocide"
- - -
Warm thanks to fellow bloggers for their kind mentions and great posts on Sudan:
Ethan Zuckerman's post on "weblogs and selective uptake" and Blog Africa.
Jonathan Broad says call your Senators! Declare Sudan genocidal. And writes on Sudan.
Crazy Canuck in Canada says: "Oil in Darfur: Now the genocide by the Government of Sudan makes sense".
Gil Roth makes me laugh with his post entitled "No Genocide for Oil, you French Motherf***ers!"
Great links in Pax Vobiscum's Monday post.
See Rajan Rishyakaran's Roundup.
Gary Farber of Amygdala writes this at Winds of Change: "The Key To Helping Darfur Must Be The UN!"
Anthony Cox writes "Sudanese stand off".
Patrick Hall at Horn of Africa points to a new site by Eric Reeves. Note it promotes a "Die-In" at the White House, Thursday, July 22nd. One thousand people will lie down, as if dead, in front of the President's Mansion powerfully reminding the US Government of the number of people who are dying in Darfur each day. See Dr Reeves' new site at http://www.darfurgenocide.org/dcprotest.htm
Also, Patrick has a new link to Gurtong, a peace project that seeks to establish a South Sudanese Diaspora coalition for the promotion of peace and stability among South Sudanese.
And last but not least is the great Jim Moore whose latest posts explain why next week is a big week for Sudan and the UN Security Council.
Thanks to Jim for his link to Samantha Power's essay: "Bystanders to Genocide - Why the United States Let the Rwandan Tragedy Happen".
And thanks too for all the kind words and links to this blog at Jim Moore's Journal and Passion of the Present weblog.
- - -
EXECUTIONS IN SUDAN
New York Times report from the ground in Sudan
Thanks to Passion of the Present for pointing to the NYT op-ed. Here's what some bloggers are saying (I'll list more updates as and when I come across other bloggers commenting on the Sudan).
July 15: Patrick - re John Prendergast's opinion piece in the NYT entitled "Sudan's Ravines of Death" - writes: "Prendergast travelled to areas of the Sudan that are not under the control of Khartoum (unlike the areas Powell and Annan visited), and here's what he had to say: "I was not prepared for the far more sinister scene I encountered in a ravine deep in the Darfur desert." It is all about adding mass executions to the government's "deadly portfolio."
July 15: Squirrel in DC writes: "THEY SCARCELY bother to cover their traces" - and asks: "Just one question for Mr. Prendergast: where are the pictures? What do you mean, you didn't take pictures? As the gang down at Abu Ghraib can tell you, a picture is worth not a paltry thousand, but any number of words. How do you expect to mobilize the public if you don't have any pictures?"
Note to Squirrel from Ingrid: Hi Squirrel, neatly put. I've asked myself the same question. Here you can see [see comment in July 9 post at Passion of the Present.org] that aid workers do have digital cameras and are able to email the folks back home. And here you can see [see July 11 post at Passion of the Present.org] that photos are taken by aid workers.
A few months ago there were reports that radios etc., were being confiscated from aid workers etc., for "security" reasons by customs officials on entry to Sudan, the rationale being that they could get looted and radios etc could fall into the wrong hands. I find it strange that there are not more reports - or pictures - coming from the ground in Sudan. Does anyone think there a news censorship or what? PS Sorry, today my browser can't capture the URL on individual posts at the Passion.
U.S. CONGRESS TO VOTE
On officially classing Darfur as "genocide"
The citizens of America and Britain can be proud of their governments. In humanitarian aid for Darfur the U.S. has pledged 300 million usd, and the U.K. 270 million usd. Italy has given 30 million usd. Quelle surprise: France 12 (twelve) million usd.
Myself and other British bloggers have sent letters to our Members of Parliament and church leaders. And we have interacted with the blogs of British politicians. Our voices are listened to, and do count.
Think of the trillions of words that are written and said by American and British anti-war protestors trying to condemn and pull down Bush and Blair over liberating the people of Iraq from a greedy and ruthless mass murdering dictatorship. Our political representatives need to know that our leaders have public support in sending troops into a war that will make Baghdad look like a picnic.
If genocide in Darfur is officially declared, it will trigger thousands of troops into Sudan to provide humanitarian assistance and security for the region and allow the refugees to return home. No doubt the military strategy would have to include the removal of the present unelected dictatorship in Khartoum and the capturing and imprisonment of all perpetrators to be put on trial for war crimes.
Jim Moore says the action of the U.S. Congress vote is about as important as anything gets in the United States. He explains how American bloggers can help now. All major news developments on the Sudan are posted daily at the Passion of the Present blog out of Harvard.
In short, American bloggers could make one phone call, or copy a letter sent by the Passion to President Bush and email it asap to their Senator or Congressperson to support the important step of declaring Darfur a region of genocide.
Here is an example of a letter written by Patrick Hall at The Horn of Africa blog. Patrick is hoping for a verdict on terminology next week.
Update July 18: American blogger Rebecca at Mystical Politics explains how to send a letter to the President and other public officials about Darfur, from the AJWS Action Center. AJWS is the American Jewish World Service.
- - -
Further reading:
July 15: Passion of the Present post: Senator John Kerry calls Sudan "genocide".
July 15: BBC report on the US and prospect of international intervention: "with so much domestic concern about US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, any fresh commitment, especially in a region as large and troublesome as Darfur, would be very hard to sell."
Squeaks from the squirrel cage blog in Washington, DC.
July 16: Ref Senator John Kerry's speech on declaring genocide in Sudan, Squirrel in DC says: "First, it's easy to say what needs to be said when the onus to act remains on someone else".
Note to Squirrel: Seems to me the Bush administration is working hard at trying to resolve the Sudan crisis. Considering the bashing that many people are so unkindly giving to Bush and Blair over freeing the people of Iraq from a ruthlessly cruel and greedy dictator who attacked neighbouring Iran and defied years of UN resolutions, it would be interesting to know how many American soldiers, if any, President Kerry would send to Sudan. And, how many parents in his Boston constituency would be willing to send their young sons and daughters to Africa to fight against ruthless and savage outlaws on horses and camels in the African desert.
July 18: Jim Moore: "How to engineer a genocide"
- - -
Warm thanks to fellow bloggers for their kind mentions and great posts on Sudan:
Ethan Zuckerman's post on "weblogs and selective uptake" and Blog Africa.
Jonathan Broad says call your Senators! Declare Sudan genocidal. And writes on Sudan.
Crazy Canuck in Canada says: "Oil in Darfur: Now the genocide by the Government of Sudan makes sense".
Gil Roth makes me laugh with his post entitled "No Genocide for Oil, you French Motherf***ers!"
Great links in Pax Vobiscum's Monday post.
See Rajan Rishyakaran's Roundup.
Gary Farber of Amygdala writes this at Winds of Change: "The Key To Helping Darfur Must Be The UN!"
Anthony Cox writes "Sudanese stand off".
Patrick Hall at Horn of Africa points to a new site by Eric Reeves. Note it promotes a "Die-In" at the White House, Thursday, July 22nd. One thousand people will lie down, as if dead, in front of the President's Mansion powerfully reminding the US Government of the number of people who are dying in Darfur each day. See Dr Reeves' new site at http://www.darfurgenocide.org/dcprotest.htm
Also, Patrick has a new link to Gurtong, a peace project that seeks to establish a South Sudanese Diaspora coalition for the promotion of peace and stability among South Sudanese.
And last but not least is the great Jim Moore whose latest posts explain why next week is a big week for Sudan and the UN Security Council.
Thanks to Jim for his link to Samantha Power's essay: "Bystanders to Genocide - Why the United States Let the Rwandan Tragedy Happen".
And thanks too for all the kind words and links to this blog at Jim Moore's Journal and Passion of the Present weblog.
- - -
EXECUTIONS IN SUDAN
New York Times report from the ground in Sudan
Thanks to Passion of the Present for pointing to the NYT op-ed. Here's what some bloggers are saying (I'll list more updates as and when I come across other bloggers commenting on the Sudan).
July 15: Patrick - re John Prendergast's opinion piece in the NYT entitled "Sudan's Ravines of Death" - writes: "Prendergast travelled to areas of the Sudan that are not under the control of Khartoum (unlike the areas Powell and Annan visited), and here's what he had to say: "I was not prepared for the far more sinister scene I encountered in a ravine deep in the Darfur desert." It is all about adding mass executions to the government's "deadly portfolio."
July 15: Squirrel in DC writes: "THEY SCARCELY bother to cover their traces" - and asks: "Just one question for Mr. Prendergast: where are the pictures? What do you mean, you didn't take pictures? As the gang down at Abu Ghraib can tell you, a picture is worth not a paltry thousand, but any number of words. How do you expect to mobilize the public if you don't have any pictures?"
Note to Squirrel from Ingrid: Hi Squirrel, neatly put. I've asked myself the same question. Here you can see [see comment in July 9 post at Passion of the Present.org] that aid workers do have digital cameras and are able to email the folks back home. And here you can see [see July 11 post at Passion of the Present.org] that photos are taken by aid workers.
A few months ago there were reports that radios etc., were being confiscated from aid workers etc., for "security" reasons by customs officials on entry to Sudan, the rationale being that they could get looted and radios etc could fall into the wrong hands. I find it strange that there are not more reports - or pictures - coming from the ground in Sudan. Does anyone think there a news censorship or what? PS Sorry, today my browser can't capture the URL on individual posts at the Passion.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/17/2004
- - -
THE MAN THE U.S.ACCUSES OF WAR CRIMES:
Sheik Musa Hilal, Head of Sudan's Janjaweed bandits
On July 11, 2004, I published a post showing a photo of Musa Hilal, Sheikh of the Mahameed (Head of the Janjaweed), and a link to a report from the Sudan Tribune of a recent important and long meeting between Hilal and Gerard Gallucci, U.S. charge d'affaires in Khartoum.
No doubt people like Sudan's President Bashir and the head of Sudan's Janjaweed are a mine of information when it comes to useful stuff on counter-acting international terrorism and getting the gen on Osama Bin Laden and his ilk. Gallucci must have been intrigued. Imagine being a fly-on-the-wall at his "important and long" meeting with Hilal.
Yesterday, at Kansas.com, I found a second report on Hilal. The report, entitled "Sudan warlord denies charges of war crimes", was written by Sudarsan Raghavan of Knight Ridder Newspapers and dated July 15, 2004.
U.S. and U.N. officials say they have hard evidence, including photos that place Hilal at the scene of atrocities.
I am copying the report here in full incase the link (requiring free registration) gets broken:

KALA, Sudan - For a man the United States accuses of war crimes, Sheik Musa Hilal got a surprisingly rousing welcome when he visited the Sudanese hinterland in northern Darfur this week.
Tall and white-turbaned, Hilal stepped off a camouflage-green Sudanese military helicopter and pointed his cane to the heavens before wading through a colorful sea of dancing women and white-robed elders who shouted, "Allahu akbar" - "God is great."
It was only after the Arab Sudanese leader vanished into the throngs, flanked by armed soldiers in fatigues and government security agents, that Ibrahim, a short, middle-aged black African from the Fur tribe, felt free to speak his mind.
"We don't feel completely safe here," Ibrahim whispered, asking that his family name not be used.
The Bush administration says Hilal is a top leader of pro-government Arab militias called the Janjaweed, and has placed him at the head of a list of seven warlords who could be held accountable for crimes against humanity.
His alleged crime: orchestrating a brutal ethnic-cleansing campaign to wipe out thousands of black Africans in the western province of Darfur, atrocities that include murders, rapes and the burning of entire villages.
The conflict began 16 months ago when rebels took up arms seeking political and economic empowerment. The government responded with Arab militias rather than using its troops. But the militias - known as the Janjaweed - backed by military helicopter gunships, targeted civilians from black African tribes linked to the rebels, namely the Zaghawa, Fur and Masalit. At least 10,000 have been killed and more than a million driven from their villages, creating one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
"We see indicators of genocide, and there is evidence that points in that direction," Pierre-Richard Prosper, the U.S. ambassador for war crimes, said two weeks ago in Washington.
The Sudanese government continues to support Hilal, despite its promise to the international community that it would disarm the Arab militias. Sudanese government officials and Hilal's supporters say he's a respected tribal chief who fosters ethnic harmony in Darfur. Hilal describes the Janjaweed as common outlaws and denies he leads them. Nor has he committed war crimes, he said.
"The United States has been misled," said Hilal, soft-spoken and regal with a faint goatee and graying hair. "I'm not a criminal. ... I didn't pick up a torch and burn a village."
U.S. and U.N. officials say they have hard evidence, including photos that place Hilal at the scene of atrocities. He's alleged, for example, to have organized an attack on the northern Darfur village of Kutum last August. Hilal said he was nowhere near Kutum, and blamed a rebel insurrection for the attack.
"He's a criminal superstar," said a U.N. official with knowledge of Hilal's past, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
U.S. officials say Hilal commanded a joint Sudanese military and Janjaweed unit that killed black African civilians, razed their villages and stole their livestock.
"He was the funnel for government weapons and money to the other Arab tribes," said a U.S. official, who also asked not to be identified.
Northern Darfur has experienced some of the worst atrocities at the hands of the militia. In the town of Tawila, dozens were executed while scores of girls and women were gang-raped, according to survivors and human rights groups.
"The Janjaweed came, and they started shooting and burning, and they took away all of our property," a 20-year-old woman named Zaharah said during a visit by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to the Zam Zam refugee camp in northern Darfur two weeks ago. Hundreds of survivors from Tawila have sought refuge there. "They took men and slit their throats with swords. The women they took as concubines. All of us have seen them."
The visit Monday to this speck of a village in northern Darfur showed the obstacles the Bush administration faces in trying resolve the crisis in Darfur.
On Darfur's parched plains, Hilal and other Arab tribal leaders rule through fear and benevolence, and their word is law.
The United Nations Security Council is mulling over a U.S. proposal to impose travel and financial sanctions and an arms embargo on Hilal and other alleged Janjaweed leaders, and possibly Sudanese officials who back them. But where wealth is valued in livestock and arms are abundant, these measures may not work.
"I have no assets in international banks, so that won't affect me," Hilal said. "But the travel ban would be a humiliation. I'm a tribal leader. My reputation is above everything."
Hilal admitted that he answered the government's call to arms, and called his people to defend themselves and their country from a rebel insurrection.
"I do not need any government support," he said. "My support comes from my people."
But on Monday, senior Sudanese military commanders greeted the handsome, 43-year-old tribal leader with reverence in the northern Darfur capital of El Fasher.
Hilal signed a pink form to check out an MI-17 Russian-made helicopter, piloted by military officers, to transport his entourage on the 40-minute flight to Kala.
"He's a tribal leader being chauffeured around in a government helicopter," the U.S. official said. "How many tribal leaders get to do this?"
On Monday, Hilal brought journalists to Kala on an obviously staged mission to clear his name.
Under a large tree, he presided over a gathering of tribal leaders - Arab and black African - ordered to come in from surrounding villages. One after another, old men with leathered faces stood up to make Hilal's case.
They denounced the rebels for taking up arms. They pledged their obedience to the government - and to Hilal.
"We live in harmony, like the way the sea has fish with many colors," said Adam Ibrahim Mansoor, a leader of the Gimel tribe.
Ahmed, a young Fur man who also didn't want his family name used, watched and shook his head.
"Sheik Musa brought these people here together for his own interest," he said later in halting English. "The Fur people feel trapped."
His voice lowered: "There are Janjaweed here. They were told not to carry guns."
"Everyone knows Sheik Musa is the leader of the Janjaweed," Ibrahim said. "If they find out that I had spoken with a foreigner, they'll come and arrest me and I'll disappear."
He walked away swiftly.
- - -
Here is a copy of another report, in full, via Passion of the Present's post: "Meet a militia leader". The report, dated July 16, 2004, is written by Jeevan Vasagar in Khartoum and was published in The Guardian:
Militia chief scorns slaughter charge
Janjaweed leader hits back at accusation of ethnic cleansing in western Sudan
Janjaweed is not a name, it is a curse. To the militia's victims the Arabic word has come to mean devil on horseback, but the chief "devil" accused of bringing devastation to Sudan sits not on horseback but in a plush armchair in his family residence in Khartoum.
Dressed in a crisp white robe and prayer cap, Musa Hilal patted his nephew's head and offered sweet pastries.
"The rebels stayed near civilians and war has its consequences, bullets fly," Mr Hilal, 43, said in his first interview with a British newspaper.
He is alleged to be the most senior field commander of the Janjaweed, the Arab militia whose campaign of murder and rape has driven more than a million black African villagers from their homes in the western region of Darfur.
Witnesses have identified him as the coordinator of attacks in which civilians have been massacred and raped in front of their families, and their villages burned.
Little is known about the horse- and camel-borne militias responsible for what the UN has described as the "world's worst humanitarian crisis". Until now, their leadership has remained secretive.
Mr Hilal, who heads the US state department's list of suspected war criminals in Darfur, is a tall, athletic man with a neatly trimmed moustache and a piercing stare. He is the chieftain of a camel-herding Arab clan in north Darfur with three wives and 13 children.
Despite intense international pressure on Sudan to rein in the Janjaweed, he told the Guardian his fighters would not disarm until the rebellion in Darfur was over.
"As far as we as a tribe are concerned, whenever we feel the situation is completely secure and the ceasefire is being respected, we will hand in our weapons.
"Whenever the government is undertaking to gather arms from all the factions and the tribes, we will hand ours in. The reality is that this is a country where everyone has weapons."
Mr Hilal, who spoke in classical Arabic, scorned the epithet Janjaweed.
"The people who were armed from among our people, through habit they were on camelback and horseback," he said.
"The rebels spread the word Janjaweed as if it were an organisation. As a political group there is no specific concept called Janjaweed ... It means nothing, but has been used to mean everything."
He said that, at the prompting of the government, he raised a militia from his clan to fight the rebellion which broke out in Darfur last year. "The government was putting forward a programme of arming for all the people. I called our sons and told them to become armed.
"Our sons acquiesced and joined the Border Intelligence [a paramilitary force]. Some went into the Popular Defence Force [another militia]."
Mr Hilal said he was a political leader and not a fighter: "As a sheikh, I would never become a soldier, but I will not deny I called my tribe to arms."
The Guardian has established from witnesses in the town of Tawilah in north Darfur, which was attacked in February, that Mr Hilal has commanded Janjaweed forces in the field.
Saddiq Ismail, 45, a retired teacher in the town, said Mr Hilal had arrived by helicopter, accompanied on the ground by five Landcruisers and gunmen on horses and camels. "Musa Hilal was dressed in military uniform. He was directing his men. He is the leader and gave all the orders," Mr Ismail said. UN officials who arrived a few days later established that at least 67 civilians had been executed. Sixteen girls had been abducted and a number of women had been publicly raped.
But Mr Hilal said his clan had suffered from "acts of banditry", from a neighbouring African tribe, the Zaghawa, who stole their camels and murdered young men. He said the rebellion in Darfur was "narrow and tribal and ethnic".
"The Zaghawa started to go to the Fur and other African tribes to join together against the other Arab tribes and incited hatred against the Arab tribes," he said. "They formed a collective of the tribes of the blacks, the Zurgha, against the Arabs."
Human rights groups and the UN confirm there was tit-for-tat violence in the run-up to the outbreak of the rebellion and the two rebel movements drew mainly on Darfur's African groups.
But the rebels have primarily targeted the military and police, while the government and their Janjaweed allies have tried to drive out an ethnic group. Mr Hilal denied ethnic cleansing: "These claims of ethnic cleansing are not true. No one can wipe out an ethnicity."
But the Guardian has spoken to a deserter from a training camp run by Mr Hilal, who said the Janjaweed commander whipped up racial hatred among his fighters. When the recruits first arrived in the camp, at Mistriyah in north Darfur, Mr Hilal made a speech in which he told them that all Africans were their enemies.
"Musa Hilal said: 'Zurgha [blacks] always support the rebels. We should defeat the rebels,'" said the deserter, Mustafa Yusuf, 18. Mr Yusuf also witnessed Mr Hilal leading troops into battle. "Musa Hilal led the troops. He was in the Landcruisers, and there were people on horses," he said.
His account, which has also been given to UN officials, confirmed the Janjaweed received government backing.
In addition to Mr Hilal, he identified an army officer, Abdel Wahid, as a leader in the camp. Mr Wahid is believed to have helped the Janjaweed obtain weapons. Most of the men in the camp rode on horses and camels, but there were also eight Landcruisers mounted with machine guns; evidence the Janjaweed had substantial government support.
Refugee witnesses have also told human rights groups that the Janjaweed attacks were backed up by bombing from helicopter gunships.
Colin Powell, the US secretary of state, who has called for the Janjaweed to be disbanded, has also put pressure on the Sudanese government to arrest Mr Hilal and six other tribal chieftains suspected of war crimes. But there is scepticism that the regime will act against its agents.
Frank Smith, Sudan campaigner for Amnesty International, said: "The government _ have put nothing in place. They are conducting no official investigation and there are no moves to arrest any of the Janjaweed leaders."
Sudanese officials opened talks yesterday with the rebels in Ethiopia, but in Darfur the war goes on. The Janjaweed surround and terrorise the refugee camps, where more than a million refugees are in tent cities where they face hunger and epidemics. Meanwhile, the rebel movements have survived and hold on to territory despite the devastation of their communities.
In Khartoum Mr Hilal showed no fear of being arrested. There were no bodyguards and no security checks at the gates of the walled compound.
When the interview concluded, he was relaxed enough to joke about the Janjaweed with the Guardian's photographer.
Ushering her out of the path of a reversing car, he said: "If you don't get out of the way, the Americans will say the Janjaweed killed you."
The names of some interviewees have been changed.
- - -
Further reading:
July 18, 2004: Links to more reports on Hilal, and commentary from the Passion.
July 18: (wp.com) by Emily Wax "In Sudan, 'a Big Sheik' Roams Free - Militia Leader Describes Campaign Against Africans as Self-Defence" [via Patrick Hall at The Horn of Africa blog]
THE MAN THE U.S.ACCUSES OF WAR CRIMES:
Sheik Musa Hilal, Head of Sudan's Janjaweed bandits
On July 11, 2004, I published a post showing a photo of Musa Hilal, Sheikh of the Mahameed (Head of the Janjaweed), and a link to a report from the Sudan Tribune of a recent important and long meeting between Hilal and Gerard Gallucci, U.S. charge d'affaires in Khartoum.
No doubt people like Sudan's President Bashir and the head of Sudan's Janjaweed are a mine of information when it comes to useful stuff on counter-acting international terrorism and getting the gen on Osama Bin Laden and his ilk. Gallucci must have been intrigued. Imagine being a fly-on-the-wall at his "important and long" meeting with Hilal.
Yesterday, at Kansas.com, I found a second report on Hilal. The report, entitled "Sudan warlord denies charges of war crimes", was written by Sudarsan Raghavan of Knight Ridder Newspapers and dated July 15, 2004.
U.S. and U.N. officials say they have hard evidence, including photos that place Hilal at the scene of atrocities.
I am copying the report here in full incase the link (requiring free registration) gets broken:

KALA, Sudan - For a man the United States accuses of war crimes, Sheik Musa Hilal got a surprisingly rousing welcome when he visited the Sudanese hinterland in northern Darfur this week.
Tall and white-turbaned, Hilal stepped off a camouflage-green Sudanese military helicopter and pointed his cane to the heavens before wading through a colorful sea of dancing women and white-robed elders who shouted, "Allahu akbar" - "God is great."
It was only after the Arab Sudanese leader vanished into the throngs, flanked by armed soldiers in fatigues and government security agents, that Ibrahim, a short, middle-aged black African from the Fur tribe, felt free to speak his mind.
"We don't feel completely safe here," Ibrahim whispered, asking that his family name not be used.
The Bush administration says Hilal is a top leader of pro-government Arab militias called the Janjaweed, and has placed him at the head of a list of seven warlords who could be held accountable for crimes against humanity.
His alleged crime: orchestrating a brutal ethnic-cleansing campaign to wipe out thousands of black Africans in the western province of Darfur, atrocities that include murders, rapes and the burning of entire villages.
The conflict began 16 months ago when rebels took up arms seeking political and economic empowerment. The government responded with Arab militias rather than using its troops. But the militias - known as the Janjaweed - backed by military helicopter gunships, targeted civilians from black African tribes linked to the rebels, namely the Zaghawa, Fur and Masalit. At least 10,000 have been killed and more than a million driven from their villages, creating one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
"We see indicators of genocide, and there is evidence that points in that direction," Pierre-Richard Prosper, the U.S. ambassador for war crimes, said two weeks ago in Washington.
The Sudanese government continues to support Hilal, despite its promise to the international community that it would disarm the Arab militias. Sudanese government officials and Hilal's supporters say he's a respected tribal chief who fosters ethnic harmony in Darfur. Hilal describes the Janjaweed as common outlaws and denies he leads them. Nor has he committed war crimes, he said.
"The United States has been misled," said Hilal, soft-spoken and regal with a faint goatee and graying hair. "I'm not a criminal. ... I didn't pick up a torch and burn a village."
U.S. and U.N. officials say they have hard evidence, including photos that place Hilal at the scene of atrocities. He's alleged, for example, to have organized an attack on the northern Darfur village of Kutum last August. Hilal said he was nowhere near Kutum, and blamed a rebel insurrection for the attack.
"He's a criminal superstar," said a U.N. official with knowledge of Hilal's past, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
U.S. officials say Hilal commanded a joint Sudanese military and Janjaweed unit that killed black African civilians, razed their villages and stole their livestock.
"He was the funnel for government weapons and money to the other Arab tribes," said a U.S. official, who also asked not to be identified.
Northern Darfur has experienced some of the worst atrocities at the hands of the militia. In the town of Tawila, dozens were executed while scores of girls and women were gang-raped, according to survivors and human rights groups.
"The Janjaweed came, and they started shooting and burning, and they took away all of our property," a 20-year-old woman named Zaharah said during a visit by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to the Zam Zam refugee camp in northern Darfur two weeks ago. Hundreds of survivors from Tawila have sought refuge there. "They took men and slit their throats with swords. The women they took as concubines. All of us have seen them."
The visit Monday to this speck of a village in northern Darfur showed the obstacles the Bush administration faces in trying resolve the crisis in Darfur.
On Darfur's parched plains, Hilal and other Arab tribal leaders rule through fear and benevolence, and their word is law.
The United Nations Security Council is mulling over a U.S. proposal to impose travel and financial sanctions and an arms embargo on Hilal and other alleged Janjaweed leaders, and possibly Sudanese officials who back them. But where wealth is valued in livestock and arms are abundant, these measures may not work.
"I have no assets in international banks, so that won't affect me," Hilal said. "But the travel ban would be a humiliation. I'm a tribal leader. My reputation is above everything."
Hilal admitted that he answered the government's call to arms, and called his people to defend themselves and their country from a rebel insurrection.
"I do not need any government support," he said. "My support comes from my people."
But on Monday, senior Sudanese military commanders greeted the handsome, 43-year-old tribal leader with reverence in the northern Darfur capital of El Fasher.
Hilal signed a pink form to check out an MI-17 Russian-made helicopter, piloted by military officers, to transport his entourage on the 40-minute flight to Kala.
"He's a tribal leader being chauffeured around in a government helicopter," the U.S. official said. "How many tribal leaders get to do this?"
On Monday, Hilal brought journalists to Kala on an obviously staged mission to clear his name.
Under a large tree, he presided over a gathering of tribal leaders - Arab and black African - ordered to come in from surrounding villages. One after another, old men with leathered faces stood up to make Hilal's case.
They denounced the rebels for taking up arms. They pledged their obedience to the government - and to Hilal.
"We live in harmony, like the way the sea has fish with many colors," said Adam Ibrahim Mansoor, a leader of the Gimel tribe.
Ahmed, a young Fur man who also didn't want his family name used, watched and shook his head.
"Sheik Musa brought these people here together for his own interest," he said later in halting English. "The Fur people feel trapped."
His voice lowered: "There are Janjaweed here. They were told not to carry guns."
"Everyone knows Sheik Musa is the leader of the Janjaweed," Ibrahim said. "If they find out that I had spoken with a foreigner, they'll come and arrest me and I'll disappear."
He walked away swiftly.
- - -
Here is a copy of another report, in full, via Passion of the Present's post: "Meet a militia leader". The report, dated July 16, 2004, is written by Jeevan Vasagar in Khartoum and was published in The Guardian:
Militia chief scorns slaughter charge
Janjaweed leader hits back at accusation of ethnic cleansing in western Sudan
Janjaweed is not a name, it is a curse. To the militia's victims the Arabic word has come to mean devil on horseback, but the chief "devil" accused of bringing devastation to Sudan sits not on horseback but in a plush armchair in his family residence in Khartoum.
Dressed in a crisp white robe and prayer cap, Musa Hilal patted his nephew's head and offered sweet pastries.
"The rebels stayed near civilians and war has its consequences, bullets fly," Mr Hilal, 43, said in his first interview with a British newspaper.
He is alleged to be the most senior field commander of the Janjaweed, the Arab militia whose campaign of murder and rape has driven more than a million black African villagers from their homes in the western region of Darfur.
Witnesses have identified him as the coordinator of attacks in which civilians have been massacred and raped in front of their families, and their villages burned.
Little is known about the horse- and camel-borne militias responsible for what the UN has described as the "world's worst humanitarian crisis". Until now, their leadership has remained secretive.
Mr Hilal, who heads the US state department's list of suspected war criminals in Darfur, is a tall, athletic man with a neatly trimmed moustache and a piercing stare. He is the chieftain of a camel-herding Arab clan in north Darfur with three wives and 13 children.
Despite intense international pressure on Sudan to rein in the Janjaweed, he told the Guardian his fighters would not disarm until the rebellion in Darfur was over.
"As far as we as a tribe are concerned, whenever we feel the situation is completely secure and the ceasefire is being respected, we will hand in our weapons.
"Whenever the government is undertaking to gather arms from all the factions and the tribes, we will hand ours in. The reality is that this is a country where everyone has weapons."
Mr Hilal, who spoke in classical Arabic, scorned the epithet Janjaweed.
"The people who were armed from among our people, through habit they were on camelback and horseback," he said.
"The rebels spread the word Janjaweed as if it were an organisation. As a political group there is no specific concept called Janjaweed ... It means nothing, but has been used to mean everything."
He said that, at the prompting of the government, he raised a militia from his clan to fight the rebellion which broke out in Darfur last year. "The government was putting forward a programme of arming for all the people. I called our sons and told them to become armed.
"Our sons acquiesced and joined the Border Intelligence [a paramilitary force]. Some went into the Popular Defence Force [another militia]."
Mr Hilal said he was a political leader and not a fighter: "As a sheikh, I would never become a soldier, but I will not deny I called my tribe to arms."
The Guardian has established from witnesses in the town of Tawilah in north Darfur, which was attacked in February, that Mr Hilal has commanded Janjaweed forces in the field.
Saddiq Ismail, 45, a retired teacher in the town, said Mr Hilal had arrived by helicopter, accompanied on the ground by five Landcruisers and gunmen on horses and camels. "Musa Hilal was dressed in military uniform. He was directing his men. He is the leader and gave all the orders," Mr Ismail said. UN officials who arrived a few days later established that at least 67 civilians had been executed. Sixteen girls had been abducted and a number of women had been publicly raped.
But Mr Hilal said his clan had suffered from "acts of banditry", from a neighbouring African tribe, the Zaghawa, who stole their camels and murdered young men. He said the rebellion in Darfur was "narrow and tribal and ethnic".
"The Zaghawa started to go to the Fur and other African tribes to join together against the other Arab tribes and incited hatred against the Arab tribes," he said. "They formed a collective of the tribes of the blacks, the Zurgha, against the Arabs."
Human rights groups and the UN confirm there was tit-for-tat violence in the run-up to the outbreak of the rebellion and the two rebel movements drew mainly on Darfur's African groups.
But the rebels have primarily targeted the military and police, while the government and their Janjaweed allies have tried to drive out an ethnic group. Mr Hilal denied ethnic cleansing: "These claims of ethnic cleansing are not true. No one can wipe out an ethnicity."
But the Guardian has spoken to a deserter from a training camp run by Mr Hilal, who said the Janjaweed commander whipped up racial hatred among his fighters. When the recruits first arrived in the camp, at Mistriyah in north Darfur, Mr Hilal made a speech in which he told them that all Africans were their enemies.
"Musa Hilal said: 'Zurgha [blacks] always support the rebels. We should defeat the rebels,'" said the deserter, Mustafa Yusuf, 18. Mr Yusuf also witnessed Mr Hilal leading troops into battle. "Musa Hilal led the troops. He was in the Landcruisers, and there were people on horses," he said.
His account, which has also been given to UN officials, confirmed the Janjaweed received government backing.
In addition to Mr Hilal, he identified an army officer, Abdel Wahid, as a leader in the camp. Mr Wahid is believed to have helped the Janjaweed obtain weapons. Most of the men in the camp rode on horses and camels, but there were also eight Landcruisers mounted with machine guns; evidence the Janjaweed had substantial government support.
Refugee witnesses have also told human rights groups that the Janjaweed attacks were backed up by bombing from helicopter gunships.
Colin Powell, the US secretary of state, who has called for the Janjaweed to be disbanded, has also put pressure on the Sudanese government to arrest Mr Hilal and six other tribal chieftains suspected of war crimes. But there is scepticism that the regime will act against its agents.
Frank Smith, Sudan campaigner for Amnesty International, said: "The government _ have put nothing in place. They are conducting no official investigation and there are no moves to arrest any of the Janjaweed leaders."
Sudanese officials opened talks yesterday with the rebels in Ethiopia, but in Darfur the war goes on. The Janjaweed surround and terrorise the refugee camps, where more than a million refugees are in tent cities where they face hunger and epidemics. Meanwhile, the rebel movements have survived and hold on to territory despite the devastation of their communities.
In Khartoum Mr Hilal showed no fear of being arrested. There were no bodyguards and no security checks at the gates of the walled compound.
When the interview concluded, he was relaxed enough to joke about the Janjaweed with the Guardian's photographer.
Ushering her out of the path of a reversing car, he said: "If you don't get out of the way, the Americans will say the Janjaweed killed you."
The names of some interviewees have been changed.
- - -
Further reading:
July 18, 2004: Links to more reports on Hilal, and commentary from the Passion.
July 18: (wp.com) by Emily Wax "In Sudan, 'a Big Sheik' Roams Free - Militia Leader Describes Campaign Against Africans as Self-Defence" [via Patrick Hall at The Horn of Africa blog]
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/17/2004
Friday, July 16, 2004
THE COMEBACK KING:
Sadig Al-Mahdi
The politics in Africa is mind boggling. Unless you know who is who and have followed it for the past 50 years, it must be difficult to say who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. I've only seen this one report on Sadig Al-Mahdi, who is an Oxford graduate, and the last democratically elected Prime Minister of Sudan.
He served as prime minister between July 1966-May 1967 and again between May 1986-June 1989 when his government was toppled by the military coup headed by current Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir.
He is the only Sudanese who has held the position -- once Sudan's highest political office -- twice and who hopes to return to office, through "only by the ballot box".
"I have always been a great believer in multi-party democracy and in strengthening democratic institutions in Sudan," he explains. "Dictatorship and military intervention in the political arena have been the curse of the country."
He strongly believes that Sudan must not break up. That would be a tragedy for the Sudanese, both northerners and southerners, he insists, believing the country's disintegration could tip the continent back into darker times. Here is the full story on his profile.
Sadig Al-Mahdi
The politics in Africa is mind boggling. Unless you know who is who and have followed it for the past 50 years, it must be difficult to say who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. I've only seen this one report on Sadig Al-Mahdi, who is an Oxford graduate, and the last democratically elected Prime Minister of Sudan.
He served as prime minister between July 1966-May 1967 and again between May 1986-June 1989 when his government was toppled by the military coup headed by current Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir.
He is the only Sudanese who has held the position -- once Sudan's highest political office -- twice and who hopes to return to office, through "only by the ballot box".
"I have always been a great believer in multi-party democracy and in strengthening democratic institutions in Sudan," he explains. "Dictatorship and military intervention in the political arena have been the curse of the country."
He strongly believes that Sudan must not break up. That would be a tragedy for the Sudanese, both northerners and southerners, he insists, believing the country's disintegration could tip the continent back into darker times. Here is the full story on his profile.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/16/2004
Monday, July 12, 2004
SEAGULL GETS ARTIFICIAL LEG
Made of Barbie doll parts
Here in England by the seaside, seagulls are culled :(
Local6.com reports the story of a seagull found by a yacht crew in Turkey, with a leg that was almost gangrene. The crew amputed the leg and fitted an artificial one, made up from Barbie doll parts.
Now the bird can walk and even run on the leg :)
[Thanks to Newsmeat]
- - -
Note, I found Local 6.com's seagull story in Newsmeat's news aggregator. Local6.com site states:
"Copyright 2004 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed."
Having seen similar notices on other web sites, I wonder what they mean. If I am not gaining financially by publicising the seagull story, is it OK for me to post it with a courtesy link to the site - or should I provide just a link with no text - or not mention the story and site at all?
Usually, I am mindful when using material that is created through the sweat of someone else's brow and always credit sources with a link - and try to make it clear when quoting from someone else's text.
After I'd read the site's notice, I nearly decided against posting the story here. Now I'm wondering if I am doing wrong by "re-writing" the story. Does anyone know what is the correct thing to do?
Made of Barbie doll parts
Here in England by the seaside, seagulls are culled :(
Local6.com reports the story of a seagull found by a yacht crew in Turkey, with a leg that was almost gangrene. The crew amputed the leg and fitted an artificial one, made up from Barbie doll parts.
Now the bird can walk and even run on the leg :)
[Thanks to Newsmeat]
- - -
Note, I found Local 6.com's seagull story in Newsmeat's news aggregator. Local6.com site states:
"Copyright 2004 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed."
Having seen similar notices on other web sites, I wonder what they mean. If I am not gaining financially by publicising the seagull story, is it OK for me to post it with a courtesy link to the site - or should I provide just a link with no text - or not mention the story and site at all?
Usually, I am mindful when using material that is created through the sweat of someone else's brow and always credit sources with a link - and try to make it clear when quoting from someone else's text.
After I'd read the site's notice, I nearly decided against posting the story here. Now I'm wondering if I am doing wrong by "re-writing" the story. Does anyone know what is the correct thing to do?
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/12/2004
- - -
GROSS-OUT STORY OF THE DAY
And Hank's jazzy squirrel
Solomonio's gross-out story of the day...heh...Scaryduck will like this one.
Thanks to Hank at Quadrophrenia for the jazzy squirrel.
- - -
NICHOLAS REYNOLDS
On the guest bed
A damn fine Nicholas on the guest bed.
GROSS-OUT STORY OF THE DAY
And Hank's jazzy squirrel
Solomonio's gross-out story of the day...heh...Scaryduck will like this one.
Thanks to Hank at Quadrophrenia for the jazzy squirrel.
- - -
NICHOLAS REYNOLDS
On the guest bed
A damn fine Nicholas on the guest bed.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/12/2004
- - -
NEWSMEAT
Hall of Fame
Newsmeat is an amazing one-click resource for researching political donations. One can even search on donors by zip code too.
Not sure how accurate it is. Even so, I'm surprised that type of information is made so freely available. Some people are guarded about who they support politically. I've even known people who've refused to disclose which political party they support. Some consider such matters as personal and private. Maybe that's why people get privacy booths when casting political election votes at polling stations.
It makes me wonder how Newsmeat get the data. Maybe it's law in America that political donations are made public. Even so, it doesn't seem right somehow that any old body can search on a private individual's postal zip code.
Here in England, all you need is someone's post code to identify their full address, find a telephone number, etc. For wealthy people, and those in the public eye, who travel a lot, the zipcode data must seem like easy pickings for opportunists.
It would appear "privacy" can't really be controlled any more, which means people will have to get more aware and step up their home security arrangements. Seems to me that home security businesses have a booming great future ahead as more information gets computerised and opportunists become more net savvy and crafty.
[Thanks to Quadrophrenia]
NEWSMEAT
Hall of Fame
Newsmeat is an amazing one-click resource for researching political donations. One can even search on donors by zip code too.
Not sure how accurate it is. Even so, I'm surprised that type of information is made so freely available. Some people are guarded about who they support politically. I've even known people who've refused to disclose which political party they support. Some consider such matters as personal and private. Maybe that's why people get privacy booths when casting political election votes at polling stations.
It makes me wonder how Newsmeat get the data. Maybe it's law in America that political donations are made public. Even so, it doesn't seem right somehow that any old body can search on a private individual's postal zip code.
Here in England, all you need is someone's post code to identify their full address, find a telephone number, etc. For wealthy people, and those in the public eye, who travel a lot, the zipcode data must seem like easy pickings for opportunists.
It would appear "privacy" can't really be controlled any more, which means people will have to get more aware and step up their home security arrangements. Seems to me that home security businesses have a booming great future ahead as more information gets computerised and opportunists become more net savvy and crafty.
[Thanks to Quadrophrenia]
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/12/2004
- - -
DR ERIC REEVES BLOG
Sudan news and analysis
Here is a blog on progressive human rights news and analysis by American academic, Dr Eric Reeves, who takes a special interest in the Sudan. Maybe the blog belongs to Dr Reeves - or not. Posts are published by someone called Maria. The text could be copies of Dr Reeves' reports copied from elsewhere. So far, I have not discovered who is behind the blog, or whether Dr Reeves endorses it. The site gives no email contact or commenting facility. If anyone can throw light on this, I would be grateful to receive any information.
Now this has got me thinking. It's never occurred to me that one could start up a blog using anyone's name and post stuff that they may never see. Osama Bin Laden Blog (how would we ever know). Saddam Hussein's Blog would get a lot of hits regardless of whether its him or even a woman. Imagine the potential for complete strangers to adopt someone else's identity, public persona, image and work whatever - it's mind boggling. I've written about privacy issues in last year's posts. Seems a lot of regulations will need to be invented for future net users.
DR ERIC REEVES BLOG
Sudan news and analysis
Here is a blog on progressive human rights news and analysis by American academic, Dr Eric Reeves, who takes a special interest in the Sudan. Maybe the blog belongs to Dr Reeves - or not. Posts are published by someone called Maria. The text could be copies of Dr Reeves' reports copied from elsewhere. So far, I have not discovered who is behind the blog, or whether Dr Reeves endorses it. The site gives no email contact or commenting facility. If anyone can throw light on this, I would be grateful to receive any information.
Now this has got me thinking. It's never occurred to me that one could start up a blog using anyone's name and post stuff that they may never see. Osama Bin Laden Blog (how would we ever know). Saddam Hussein's Blog would get a lot of hits regardless of whether its him or even a woman. Imagine the potential for complete strangers to adopt someone else's identity, public persona, image and work whatever - it's mind boggling. I've written about privacy issues in last year's posts. Seems a lot of regulations will need to be invented for future net users.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/12/2004
Sunday, July 11, 2004
KILLING GOES ON AS SUDAN LIES TO THE WORLD AND DEFIES U.N.
Fresh attacks as international community pressurises Khartoum
July 7: The killing still goes on as Sudan lies to world and defies U.N.
Fresh attacks are still happening as the international community pressurises Khartoum. Sudanese government forces and Arab militia have launched a fresh wave of murderous attacks on black African villagers in Darfur in defiance of demands from the UN and the US for an end to the fighting.
Helicopter attacks continue as Sudanese government denies involvement. UN spokeswoman confirms, "Despite a cease-fire signed in April between the Sudanese government and two rebel groups, fighting in Sudan’s Darfur region continues to displace civilians who say they are innocent victims".
Rebel groups have warned that they will retaliate if the Khartoum regime continues to break the cease-fire. [Full Story]
- - -
FRESH SEARCHES OF DARFUR
Find thousands more people dying
July 10: Irish Aid agency Concern confirms it has found thousands more people who have been displaced from their homes in Western Sudan. They were discovered during fresh searches in the region of Darfur.
A spokesperson for Concern said that many of them are dying, and in desperate need of food, shelter and water.
- - -
SLM 'PART OF THE NEW SUDAN'
SLM Chairman at a conference in London last month
June 27 (via Free Sudan): SLM Chairman Mr Abdelwahid Nour at a London seminar hosted by the Sudan Civic Foundation - discussing alternatives to the current regime in Sudan - said "the manifesto of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) states we are part of the "New Sudan". "The one united Sudan where everyone is enjoying citizenship is what the SLM is striving for", Mr Nour said, adding that there has to be a democracy without any scope for totalitarianism and that to preserve the unity of Sudan is the responsibility of all.
The SLM sees that all Sudanese problems must be solved everywhere, solutions must be found he said.
- - -
DARFUR REBELS MAKE DEMANDS
Before attending any more peace talks
Khartoum has agreed to attend AU-mediated Darfur talks in Ethiopia next week, but the rebels say they will not negotiate unless Sudan disarms the militias and respects the truce.
I'm surprised this June 26 Reuters report at http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L26612882.htm has not had more attention. It's about an urgent letter that was sent by the Darfur rebels to Colin Powell and Kofi Annan before they both visited Darfur last week. The rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) made a list of demands which must be met before political talks can begin: a military no-fly zone, free access for aid workers and war crimes trials for Arab militias who have looted and burned throughout the region.
- - -
July 11, 2004: Garang, head of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and its political wing the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, warned Khartoum on Sunday he would not allow a planned interim government to continue what he called the "very serious crime" of state-organised attacks on Darfur's civilians.
Garang is set to become Sudan's first vice-president under a planned accord ending a separate war in the south. He added in an interview that Khartoum was using the same techniques in Darfur that it used for 21 years against his forces in the south. "If we are to form a new government of national unity - and that's what the agreement says - we obviously will not allow that government to fight its own citizens in Darfur," he told Reuters. "There's no way you can make peace for southern Sudan while you also make war in Darfur."
Garang said only sustained international pressure would make Khartoum honour commitments it made this month to end Darfur violence. [Full Story]
Fresh attacks as international community pressurises Khartoum
July 7: The killing still goes on as Sudan lies to world and defies U.N.
Fresh attacks are still happening as the international community pressurises Khartoum. Sudanese government forces and Arab militia have launched a fresh wave of murderous attacks on black African villagers in Darfur in defiance of demands from the UN and the US for an end to the fighting.
Helicopter attacks continue as Sudanese government denies involvement. UN spokeswoman confirms, "Despite a cease-fire signed in April between the Sudanese government and two rebel groups, fighting in Sudan’s Darfur region continues to displace civilians who say they are innocent victims".
Rebel groups have warned that they will retaliate if the Khartoum regime continues to break the cease-fire. [Full Story]
- - -
FRESH SEARCHES OF DARFUR
Find thousands more people dying
July 10: Irish Aid agency Concern confirms it has found thousands more people who have been displaced from their homes in Western Sudan. They were discovered during fresh searches in the region of Darfur.
A spokesperson for Concern said that many of them are dying, and in desperate need of food, shelter and water.
- - -
SLM 'PART OF THE NEW SUDAN'
SLM Chairman at a conference in London last month
June 27 (via Free Sudan): SLM Chairman Mr Abdelwahid Nour at a London seminar hosted by the Sudan Civic Foundation - discussing alternatives to the current regime in Sudan - said "the manifesto of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) states we are part of the "New Sudan". "The one united Sudan where everyone is enjoying citizenship is what the SLM is striving for", Mr Nour said, adding that there has to be a democracy without any scope for totalitarianism and that to preserve the unity of Sudan is the responsibility of all.
The SLM sees that all Sudanese problems must be solved everywhere, solutions must be found he said.
- - -
DARFUR REBELS MAKE DEMANDS
Before attending any more peace talks
Khartoum has agreed to attend AU-mediated Darfur talks in Ethiopia next week, but the rebels say they will not negotiate unless Sudan disarms the militias and respects the truce.
I'm surprised this June 26 Reuters report at http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L26612882.htm has not had more attention. It's about an urgent letter that was sent by the Darfur rebels to Colin Powell and Kofi Annan before they both visited Darfur last week. The rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) made a list of demands which must be met before political talks can begin: a military no-fly zone, free access for aid workers and war crimes trials for Arab militias who have looted and burned throughout the region.
- - -
July 11, 2004: Garang, head of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and its political wing the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, warned Khartoum on Sunday he would not allow a planned interim government to continue what he called the "very serious crime" of state-organised attacks on Darfur's civilians.
Garang is set to become Sudan's first vice-president under a planned accord ending a separate war in the south. He added in an interview that Khartoum was using the same techniques in Darfur that it used for 21 years against his forces in the south. "If we are to form a new government of national unity - and that's what the agreement says - we obviously will not allow that government to fight its own citizens in Darfur," he told Reuters. "There's no way you can make peace for southern Sudan while you also make war in Darfur."
Garang said only sustained international pressure would make Khartoum honour commitments it made this month to end Darfur violence. [Full Story]
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/11/2004
- - -
KHARTOUM WANTS CONTROL OVER DARFUR
The reason is simple: a possible oil pipeline through Darfur
May 15, 2004 report R.S. O'Fahey, a professor of African history at the University of Bergen, Norway, and African studies program at Northwestern University. Copy of report here in full:
The genocidal war in Darfur, Sudan's westernmost province, is being presented in the news media as a war between Arabs and Africans. This simplifies and misrepresents a very complex ethnic reality.
Darfur, an area about the size of France, has three ethnic zones. The northern includes Arab and non-Arab, mainly Zaghawa, camel nomads. The central zone is inhabited largely by non-Arab sedentary farmers such as the Fur, Masalit and others, cultivating millet. In the south there are Arabic-speaking cattle nomads, the Baqqara.
All are Muslim, and no part of Darfur was ever ethnically homogeneous. For example, once a successful Fur farmer had a certain number of cattle, he would ''become'' Baqqara, and in a few generations his descendants would have an ''authentic'' Arab genealogy.
Historically, Darfur was a sultanate, established around 1650 and dominated by the Fur people, but ruled by a title-holding elite recruited from all the major ethnic groups. Under the sultan, the settled peoples, basically non-Arab, were able to control or keep out the nomads; the sultanate's ultimate sanction was heavy cavalry.
The sultanate was destroyed in 1874. Although today's conflict is much bloodier, as a historian I am struck by the parallels between the present situation and the 1880s. When the sultanate was restored in 1898 by Ali Dinar, he spent most of his reign driving the nomads back, until he was killed by the British in 1916. They then discovered that they had no alternative but to continue his policy. They also kept the old ruling elite intact; many of today's educated Darfurians are descended from that elite.
From 1916 to 1956, Darfur was a backwater ruled by a handful of British officials. Its only resource was young men who migrated eastward to find work in the cotton schemes between the Blue and White Niles. It was only in the mid-1960s that Darfurians, both Arab and non-Arab, began to enter the national political arena and assert their own identity.
When I first went to Darfur in 1968, members of the ruling elite helped me with my field work, providing me with informants and documents. They wanted their history told.
One of the root causes of the present crisis goes back to the 1980s, when prolonged droughts accelerated the desertification of northern and central Darfur and led to pressure on water and grazing resources as the camel nomads were forced to move southwards. Conflicts over wells that in earlier times had been settled with spears or mediation became much more intractable in an era awash with guns. The situation disintegrated with the decision of the prime minister in the mid-1980s, Sadiq al-Mahdi, to give arms to the Arabic-speaking cattle nomads, the Baqqara, of southern Darfur, ostensibly to defend themselves against the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army, or SPLA. No one was surprised when they started to turn the guns on their northern neighbors, the Fur, Masalit and others. The SPLA exacerbated the situation by trying to open a front in southern Darfur. It was at this point that the Arab tribal militias, first called Murahilin, now Janjaweed, began to get out of control.
The ethnicization of the conflict has grown more rapidly since the military coup in 1989 that brought to power the regime of Umar al-Bashir, which is not only Islamist but also Arab-centric. This has injected an ideological and racist dimension to the conflict, with the sides defining themselves as ''Arab'' or ''Zurq'' (black). My impression is that many of the racist attitudes traditionally directed toward slaves have been redirected to the sedentary non-Arab communities.
The racist dimension comes to the fore in reports of rape and mass killings, cynically supported by the Khartoum government, which is determined to retain control over the area. The reason is simple: a possible oil pipeline through Darfur.
The tragic problem is that a few observers, military or otherwise, in a place the size of Darfur - where there are virtually no roads, a fragile ecology and where the old order has broken down - will not be enough. And what country or countries would send the kind of force needed in Darfur?
The Janjaweed will be very tough to stop; they have a fully developed racist ideology, a warrior culture, weapons and plenty of horses and camels - still the easiest way to get around Darfur. The genocide in Darfur will be very hard to bring to an end even if there is the will among the international community to do so.
KHARTOUM WANTS CONTROL OVER DARFUR
The reason is simple: a possible oil pipeline through Darfur
May 15, 2004 report R.S. O'Fahey, a professor of African history at the University of Bergen, Norway, and African studies program at Northwestern University. Copy of report here in full:
The genocidal war in Darfur, Sudan's westernmost province, is being presented in the news media as a war between Arabs and Africans. This simplifies and misrepresents a very complex ethnic reality.
Darfur, an area about the size of France, has three ethnic zones. The northern includes Arab and non-Arab, mainly Zaghawa, camel nomads. The central zone is inhabited largely by non-Arab sedentary farmers such as the Fur, Masalit and others, cultivating millet. In the south there are Arabic-speaking cattle nomads, the Baqqara.
All are Muslim, and no part of Darfur was ever ethnically homogeneous. For example, once a successful Fur farmer had a certain number of cattle, he would ''become'' Baqqara, and in a few generations his descendants would have an ''authentic'' Arab genealogy.
Historically, Darfur was a sultanate, established around 1650 and dominated by the Fur people, but ruled by a title-holding elite recruited from all the major ethnic groups. Under the sultan, the settled peoples, basically non-Arab, were able to control or keep out the nomads; the sultanate's ultimate sanction was heavy cavalry.
The sultanate was destroyed in 1874. Although today's conflict is much bloodier, as a historian I am struck by the parallels between the present situation and the 1880s. When the sultanate was restored in 1898 by Ali Dinar, he spent most of his reign driving the nomads back, until he was killed by the British in 1916. They then discovered that they had no alternative but to continue his policy. They also kept the old ruling elite intact; many of today's educated Darfurians are descended from that elite.
From 1916 to 1956, Darfur was a backwater ruled by a handful of British officials. Its only resource was young men who migrated eastward to find work in the cotton schemes between the Blue and White Niles. It was only in the mid-1960s that Darfurians, both Arab and non-Arab, began to enter the national political arena and assert their own identity.
When I first went to Darfur in 1968, members of the ruling elite helped me with my field work, providing me with informants and documents. They wanted their history told.
One of the root causes of the present crisis goes back to the 1980s, when prolonged droughts accelerated the desertification of northern and central Darfur and led to pressure on water and grazing resources as the camel nomads were forced to move southwards. Conflicts over wells that in earlier times had been settled with spears or mediation became much more intractable in an era awash with guns. The situation disintegrated with the decision of the prime minister in the mid-1980s, Sadiq al-Mahdi, to give arms to the Arabic-speaking cattle nomads, the Baqqara, of southern Darfur, ostensibly to defend themselves against the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army, or SPLA. No one was surprised when they started to turn the guns on their northern neighbors, the Fur, Masalit and others. The SPLA exacerbated the situation by trying to open a front in southern Darfur. It was at this point that the Arab tribal militias, first called Murahilin, now Janjaweed, began to get out of control.
The ethnicization of the conflict has grown more rapidly since the military coup in 1989 that brought to power the regime of Umar al-Bashir, which is not only Islamist but also Arab-centric. This has injected an ideological and racist dimension to the conflict, with the sides defining themselves as ''Arab'' or ''Zurq'' (black). My impression is that many of the racist attitudes traditionally directed toward slaves have been redirected to the sedentary non-Arab communities.
The racist dimension comes to the fore in reports of rape and mass killings, cynically supported by the Khartoum government, which is determined to retain control over the area. The reason is simple: a possible oil pipeline through Darfur.
The tragic problem is that a few observers, military or otherwise, in a place the size of Darfur - where there are virtually no roads, a fragile ecology and where the old order has broken down - will not be enough. And what country or countries would send the kind of force needed in Darfur?
The Janjaweed will be very tough to stop; they have a fully developed racist ideology, a warrior culture, weapons and plenty of horses and camels - still the easiest way to get around Darfur. The genocide in Darfur will be very hard to bring to an end even if there is the will among the international community to do so.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/11/2004
- - -
PRESENT GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN
Is fundamentally anti-peace, always pro-war and cannot ever be trusted
Here is an excerpt from a report entitled “Between Naivasha & Abéché: The Systematic Destruction of Darfur” by Dr. Ali B. Ali-Dinar, University of Pennylvania. It is dated March 27, 2004:
"...The current war in Darfur exposed the core of Government of Sudan (GoS), in its stand, as fundamentally anti-peace and always pro-war, that could only succumb to “peace” when it’s under intensive pressure from the international community, REAL PRESSURE.
While it tries to show it's "sincerity" in negotiating in faith in Naivasha, it now creates another war of it's own making; which raise the question as whether it could be trusted, since it has a room for maneuvering.
This suggests that comprehensive peace that will honor these agreements, for the whole country is important, even for the secession of the South. Hence, looking at the current events in Darfur as merely humanitarian crisis will result in even greater tragedy, if efforts were not exerted toward the roots of the problem..."
- - -
SUDAN'S OIL FLOW STARTED IN 1999
China, India and Malaysia are biggest players
Re oil in Sudan that started flowing some five years ago, here are some snippets that I've extracted from a recent BBC report:
Sudan's oil flow started in 1999 and recent years have seen European and American names pull out under pressure from human rights groups, who have made public the displacements and other more violent abuses perpetrated by government forces to clear people from oil-rich territory.
China's CNPC, India's ONGC and Malaysia's Petronas are now the biggest players, pumping billions into exploration and exploitation. That is not to say that big firms such as Shell, Exxon or Total may not be back.
One issue that dogs resources in poorer countries is barely tackled: that of transparency in revenues, to stop much-needed money leaking away into private pockets. The companies that are biggest in Sudan right now are state-owned - and the states in question have not, it seems, signed up to any transparency initiatives. Wealth sharing is fantastic," says Gilly Usborne of Save the Children. "But how open will either side be about what happens to the money?"
Of the four countries that are observers to the peace process, two - the UK and Norway - are strong supporters of initiatives encouraging natural resource companies to "publish what they pay" to governments in licences and commissions.
In far too many African countries, oil - or another natural resource - has been what prolongs a conflict.
PRESENT GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN
Is fundamentally anti-peace, always pro-war and cannot ever be trusted
Here is an excerpt from a report entitled “Between Naivasha & Abéché: The Systematic Destruction of Darfur” by Dr. Ali B. Ali-Dinar, University of Pennylvania. It is dated March 27, 2004:
"...The current war in Darfur exposed the core of Government of Sudan (GoS), in its stand, as fundamentally anti-peace and always pro-war, that could only succumb to “peace” when it’s under intensive pressure from the international community, REAL PRESSURE.
While it tries to show it's "sincerity" in negotiating in faith in Naivasha, it now creates another war of it's own making; which raise the question as whether it could be trusted, since it has a room for maneuvering.
This suggests that comprehensive peace that will honor these agreements, for the whole country is important, even for the secession of the South. Hence, looking at the current events in Darfur as merely humanitarian crisis will result in even greater tragedy, if efforts were not exerted toward the roots of the problem..."
- - -
SUDAN'S OIL FLOW STARTED IN 1999
China, India and Malaysia are biggest players
Re oil in Sudan that started flowing some five years ago, here are some snippets that I've extracted from a recent BBC report:
Sudan's oil flow started in 1999 and recent years have seen European and American names pull out under pressure from human rights groups, who have made public the displacements and other more violent abuses perpetrated by government forces to clear people from oil-rich territory.
China's CNPC, India's ONGC and Malaysia's Petronas are now the biggest players, pumping billions into exploration and exploitation. That is not to say that big firms such as Shell, Exxon or Total may not be back.
One issue that dogs resources in poorer countries is barely tackled: that of transparency in revenues, to stop much-needed money leaking away into private pockets. The companies that are biggest in Sudan right now are state-owned - and the states in question have not, it seems, signed up to any transparency initiatives. Wealth sharing is fantastic," says Gilly Usborne of Save the Children. "But how open will either side be about what happens to the money?"
Of the four countries that are observers to the peace process, two - the UK and Norway - are strong supporters of initiatives encouraging natural resource companies to "publish what they pay" to governments in licences and commissions.
In far too many African countries, oil - or another natural resource - has been what prolongs a conflict.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/11/2004
ARAB SOURCES SAY OIL DISCOVERED IN DARFUR
Sudan and India sign new pipeline deal
July 7, 2004 report entitled "Oil Underlies Darfur Tragedy" by Zaman in Turkey, says that according to Arab sources, the fighting in Darfur stems from attempts to gain control over the oil resources in the region. Also, their sources point out that oil fields have recently been discovered in Darfur.
May 15, 2004 report entitled "W. Sudan: a complex ethnic reality with a long history" by Professor R.S. O'Fahey of University of Bergen, Norway (and Northwestern University) writes of Darfur: "the racist dimension comes to the fore in reports of rape and mass killings, cynically supported by the Khartoum government, which is determined to retain control over the area. The reason is simple: a possible oil pipeline through Darfur."
- - -
The above two reports are the first of three I've found that mention oil in Darfur. Mainstream media seem to concentrate their reports on the conflict in Darfur as being about government backed Janjaweed eliminating black Africans who feel marginalised and excluded from getting a fair share of power and wealth for their region. Which, going by witness accounts, is all true. But ever since I started blogging about the Sudan crisis on April 24, I've sought (unsuccessfully) to find the answer to one of my questions, namely: All during the past years of Peace Accord negotiations for the north and south of Sudan, why did the U.S. and Sudan see fit to exclude the western and eastern regions of Sudan?
Back in April I'd read somewhere that oil had been discovered in both Darfur and along the border of Sudan and Chad. Unfortunately I've misplaced the link to the report. In May I came across a report (see above) by Professor O'Fahey that provides a succinct overview of western Sudan's history. The report basically says the GoS supports the rape, mass killings and ethnic cleansing because it is determined to retain control over Darfur for a simple reason: a possible oil pipeline through Darfur. [Note Professor O'Fahey's report is copied in full in my next post, above]
Maybe the U.S. did not view Darfur as a big problem as they concentrated on brokering peace for the north-south: a lasting peace that would enable a seemingly united Sudan move forward and progress for the benefit of all regions. It would appear the U.S. does not have an interest in Sudan's oil, not because it is too expensive but because their main aim is to promote democracy and fight international terrorism (and respond to pressure from groups concerned with abuses of human rights).
Perhaps the GoS knew all along that there was oil in Darfur. And they presumed (wrongly) we in the Western world wouldn't notice that black Africans were being eliminated to make way for the Arabisation of Sudan. The GoS are keen on getting the Peace Accord signed and sealed because it will legitimise their standing (they're an unelected dictatorship that stole power through a coup) and it will help pave the way for doing deals with Asian oil companies, which may in turn help attract back the big players (ie British Petroleum) that pulled out of Sudan because of human rights issues.
See this July 1 report entitled "Sudan signed new pipeline deal with the Indian ONGC". It states "a new 741 kilometer-long pipeline with 12 inches in diameter is a real addition to exportation of oil products to international market". Also, it reports that India ONGC has another agreement - for establishing a third pipeline with 32 inches in diameter - that will be signed soon.
It'd be interesting to know the location of that third pipeline. And why the oil companies in Sudan are getting away with no media coverage on the Sudan crisis. Here below is a map of oil concessions in Sudan where one can see how closely the oil companies are situated to Darfur. I wonder why there is no news coming out of Sudan from them?
So little reporting comes out of Sudan. Most mainstream media reports I find are regurgitated snippets emanating from a few original sources, ie UN, US, EU press conferences, summits etc. I've read that the GoS goes to great pains to keep publicity reaching the residents of Khartoum, for fear it will cause an outcry. It'd be great to have more than a few bloggers in Khartoum to spread the word.
In a forthcoming post I list the aid contributions made by several countries. Note that France has contributed USD 12 million to the international aid effort in Darfur (through bilateral and EU channels). So far, UK has given USD 65 million. Italy USD 30 million. Since India has been striking such big deals with Sudan, it would be interesting to know how much aid they've contributed towards humanitarian assistance for Darfur - along with China and Malaysia - and any other country on the UN Security Council that is responsible for blocking sanctions - and military intervention - to put pressure on Khartoum to protect its people and aid workers in Sudan.
WELCOME TO HELL - ON THE GROUND IN SUDAN
Where 500 applications - from humanitarian agencies alone - are gathering diplomatic dust
In today's Sunday Times magazine, reporter AA Gill writes from Sudan where he has witnessed the plight of refugees fleeing genocide.
The situation is as bad as we bloggers are describing. Nothing has been exaggerated. In fact it is even more grim than words can convey here.
The front page of the magazine introduced the report in big bold letters, saying: "WELCOME TO HELL: There are rumours of genocide and ethnic cleansing whispered on the gritty, boiling wind. In ones and twos, and tens and hundreds, they struggle in with stories of systematic murder, rape, slavery and scorched earth'
Inside the magazine, one whole page is taken up with these words in large letters: 'The Janjaweed come and kill all the men and boys. They rape the women and take some as slaves, burn the villages and the crops they can't steal. Who will stand up to the Janjaweed, the most feared and sadistically ruthless thugs on a continent glutted with horror?'
The reporter describes the situation as "calculated crime" and calls it "the greatest inhumanitarian disaster in the world". He says the Government of Sudan's reason for not intervening is clear: it's ethnic cleansing and genocide. And goes on to say, "anyone who doubts that this conflict is either genocidal or ethnically motivated only has to visit these camps. All the refugees are black; there are no Arabs here. And even more shocking, 90% of them are women and children. The children up to the age of five are about 50-50 girls and boys, as you'd expect. From 5 to 15 they are 70% girls. It is impossible to imagine any other explanation for this disappeared generation of men than systematic murder. The women tell of deaths, terrified flight, lost children, missing husbands. "We will never go back" says one. "Unless the UN have soldiers, and only if they are white soldiers," adds another."
On Sudan and humanitarian access, the reporter says promised visas for observers and NGOs never materialise - and if they do manage to get one, access to the worst areas is limited. He writes "there are 500 applications - from humanitarian agencies alone - gathering diplomatic dust".
No doubt the humanitarian agencies are making this known to their respective governments. I just wish the media would make more of these important issues and get the message across to the residents of Khartoum. I'd like to know about the people who live in Khartoum and what they think - as well as those who work within the oil companies adjacent to Darfur. If anyone reading this has heard or knows of any blogs in Khartoum or Sudan, please email me.
- - -
UPDATE:
OIL AND MINERAL RICHES IN DARFUR
Uranium discovered in Hofrat Al Nihas:
France is interested in Uranium and has drilling rights in Sudan
The following post was published in this blog on August 2, 2004, - and inserted here - on August, 20, 2004:
Beyond3D, "an attempt in conversation", has a thread going on re my July 21 post on OIl and Darfur. The same post was picked up here by Passion of the Present.
My search for reports of any riches in Darfur is an ongoing project. Along with answers to my original questions (still not found answers). And why France was so slow to help when they knew - first hand - of genocide unfolding. New findings re riches in Darfur will be added to my original post as and when. France is a post-in-progress and will appear here. Soon I shall start paying more attention to my new blog A Breath of Hope to log the successes and failures of the aid agencies. Please feel free to share any relevant info on any of these topics by email to me or in the comments and I will write a post around it and link to your blog.
At the moment I am searching for maps to pinpoint Hofrat Al Nihas. (Other names: Hofrat el Nahas, Hofrat en Nahās, Ḩufrat an Naḩās, Hofrat en Nahas). I think it may be in South Darfur - maybe close to a border. My time has been used up getting these posts together. If anyone finds it clearly -- on a map -- please let me know and I will write a post around it with links to your blog. Here's why:
Khaleej Times Online report excerpt: "The oil and precious mineral resources such as uranium discovered in Hofrat Al Nihas have set off fierce competition between US and France. The US has started to invest in oil industry in Chad, France's former colony, while France Total company obtained drilling rights in Sudan."
- - -
SUDAN UPDATE: RAISING THE STAKES -
Oil and conflict in Sudan
Take Action has ready-made emails to President Bush
The following is an excerpt from a post published in this blog on August 3, 2004, - and inserted here on August, 20, 2004:
Right now, I am one quarter of the way through reading an incredible report entitled "Sudan Update: Raising the stakes: Oil and conflict in Sudan".
The report provides an accurate picture of what has been going on in Sudan over past years. If anyone else reads it all the way through - and provides a summary on their blog - I will personally send them a popular Moleskine notebook at Christmas time. I don't expect too many people will be breaking down my blog door to write such a summary, so I guess I won't be overwhelmed by the mailing of many notebooks ;)
Below are a few extracts I've taken from the report. Sorry I cannot spend more time on it. Must get this published. I'm serious about about the Moleskine gift. The report is packed full of useful details that will take me too long to summarise. I'd like to share it here asap in the hope that it gets a wider reading. It's an important report (who authored it?) as it shows what the National Islamic Front (NIF) government of Sudan has been up since it stole power fifteen years ago. Last Friday's UN resolution giving Khartroum 30 days will not make the slightest difference - even if they were given another 30 or 60 days. The report (looks like it was published in 1999) explains the reasons why. Here are some excerpts:
SUDAN UPDATE: RAISING THE STAKES:
Oil and conflict in Sudan
On 30 August 1999, Sudan filled its first tanker-load of oil.
Now, Sudan, Africa's largest country, could join OPEC and hold its head up as an oil exporter alongside Saudi Arabia and Libya, said Sudan's government ministers. Their critics replied that if it did join OPEC it would be politically insignificant alongside the major producers. Better parallels would be with the repression, sabotage, corruption and pollution encountered in Burma, Colombia or the Niger Delta.
Just three weeks later, on 20 September 1999, opponents of Sudan's military regime blew a hole in the newly-completed pipeline.
The attack shattered the calculated charm of the government's recent public relations efforts. It began issuing threats to neighbouring Egypt and Eritrea, demanding that they expel the opposition's leaders there, while arresting opponents and lashing out at the local press. "Its campaign to convince the world that it has security under control, and that serious talks about ending Sudan's war are now possible, [seem] to be wrong on both counts." (Africa Confidential 8 October 1999)
The explosion also embarrassed the Board members of the Greater Nile Operating Company, including Talisman Energy Inc of Calgary - formerly British Petroleum Canada - who were meeting in Khartoum that week. They had claimed for years that the only risk to their project was in the southern war zone, and that peace was in any case close at hand.
Now they were under greater pressure than ever to talk to the banned opposition, which had long since declared their installations throughout the country to be military targets. However, their tone remained defiant. Just a public relations failure, they said.
How much oil is there? Proven oil reserves are enough to last some 15 years. Not enough to solve any of Sudan's deep-rooted problems, but enough to create plenty more.
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"Sudan accounts for the largest number of the world's uprooted people. More than 4.3 million Sudanese have been forced to flee because of the continuing bloody civil war in the south and east. One out of every eight refugees and displaced persons in the world are Sudanese. (U.S. Committee for Refugees USCR World Refugee Survey)
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Oilfields, which lie underneath the dividing line between the warring north and south of the country, have been fuelling conflict for the last 20 years.
The oil-rush has long been bloodier and messier than its defenders would like the world to believe, and systematic destruction and relocation of communities are part and parcel of the oil project. People in the areas around the militarised oil installations and the pipeline route have been subjected to devastating attacks by government forces for years. They are being driven from their homes by air-raids and bombardment, and by militias supported by the government, resulting in horrendous suffering.
The government of Sudan has called the oil "a sacred gift to the faithful"
A huge country of vast semi-desert expanses and intense heat, Sudan is said to have oil reserves of anything from 600 million barrels to 3 billion. It also has minerals, gold, uranium, and vast expanses of arable land. Tempting, perhaps. The government of Sudan has called the oil "a sacred gift to the faithful". Its would-be partners in the oil project - companies from Canada, China and Malaysia, Austria, Sweden and France - seem to think likewise, as do the suppliers of oil pipeline equipment from Britain and Germany, and the oil traders from Netherlands and Japan. But when it comes to making use of this asset, it is not only the sheer immensity of the terrain that brings with it a host of complications.
The former UN Human Rights Rapporteur who worked on Sudan for years, Dr Gaspar Biro, has commented that if the oil companies don't know what is going on, they're not looking over the fences of their compounds.
Nonetheless, along with Canada, China and Malaysia, European countries are increasingly involved in oil project. They are ignoring the role it plays in the conflict and instead casting it in a favourable light. And the European Union seems to be doing the same.
- - -
The regime has repeatedly denied permission for humanitarian flights to aid the most afflicted populations, dropped cluster bombs on clearly civilian targets, and repeatedly bombed clearly-marked civilian hospitals.
Throughout the 1990s, Sudan's NIF government has been using the prospect of oil for maximum propaganda value, a vital part of its efforts to get rid of its international "human rights and terrorism pariah" status and attract foreign investment into its war-devastated economy. The growing involvement of Canadian and European companies has begun to lend it a much-needed, but unwarranted, appearance of respectability.
As Aung San Suu Kyi said of UK's Premier Oil in Burma: "Apart from the actual revenues that it brings to the government, it also constitutes a psychological boost because it makes the government feel that, however repressive they may be, they still have the support of big companies. And if those countries are from Western democracies, it's even more serious because it gives the military regime the chance to say: 'Look, even companies from Western democracies support us, so what we are doing can't be that wrong. Why are the democratic forces making such a fuss?'" (Mark Thomas / Channel 4 TV www.channel4.com, October 1999)
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Above all, the National Islamic Front government desperately needs the revenue from the oil project to strengthen its grip on the country.
Despite its constant use of the word "Popular" in its slogans, the NIF itself is extremely unpopular. In the 1986 general elections its members won less than ten per cent of the vote; it staged a coup in 1989 to abort a peace process, and it would lose disastrously if free elections were held now. But it has held on to power for a decade on which it has made its mark by its readiness to deny charges of systematic and gross human rights abuse, claiming persecution by the outside world for its "Islamic orientation".
In practice this has amounted to religiously-infused totalitarianism, feared and despised by the predominantly Muslim community in northern Sudan, nearly as much as by the people of the generally non-Muslim south. Its encouragement of violent militancy has spread beyond Sudan's borders and is a source of alarm to its neighbours in the Horn of Africa.
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Further reading:
Aug 2: World Food Programme is starting to airdrop food in remote parts of Darfur. Refugees are receiving the food sacks dropped by WFP. WFP (a UN body) is airlifting food to the "most inaccessible" parts of Sudan's western Darfur region for the first time. It says the food will assist more than 70,000 people who have been cut off from other help because of the rainy season and insecurity. The International Committee of the Red Cross, which says it distributed food to 20,000 Darfurians earlier this month, says persisting pockets of fighting and attacks have made access to people in the region difficult.
Aug 2: World must double food aid to Sudan warns head of MSF, today.
Aug 2: Sudan's Army says the UN resolution on the conflict in Darfur is 'a declaration of war' and threatens to fight any foreign intervention.
Aug 2:: US State Department says: "There is no excuse for Sudan not taking action now. The Security Council calls for action now. And that's what we want to see. And we will evaluate the situation again in 30 days."
Aug 2 report on Sudan's military situation: military experts in Britain say Sudanese Armed Forces are conscript-dependent and poorly equipped."
Aug 2: post by Black Looks on Playing Politics in Darfur
July 24:
Booker Rising writes: "Mustafa Osman Ismail Sudan's foreign minister (pictured above) rejects a U.S. Congressional declaration that atrocities in its western Darfur region amounts to genocide. He insists that his government is doing everything it can to end the conflict, which has killed 30,000 people and forced a million to flee. He accuses global concern as "actually a targeting of the Islamic state in Sudan." Let's see. 2 million folks have died since 1983, at the government's hand. 400+ black villages burned down. Slavery. Government-backed Arab militias conduct mass rape campaigns against black women, knowing that ethnicity in the region is traced through the father. Yep, genocide."
July 30 2004: Embassy of Sudan report by John Laughland.
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OIL RESERVES HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED
IN COMMERCIAL QUANTITIES IN DARFUR -
There is a lot of money at stake
The following was published here on August, 20, 2004:
Here is an excerpt from a fourth report I have found that contains a clear reference to oil in Darfur. The report, entitled "Sudan in the dock" is authored by Gamai Nkrumah and was published in Cairo today at Al-Ahram online:
"The conflict in Darfur, one of Sudan's poorest and least developed regions, has a military dimension. But the primary struggle is political, ideological and economic. Oil reserves have been discovered in commercial quantities in Darfur, and the protracted oil-fuelled war in Darfur is far from over. There is a lot of money at stake."
Also, below are three reports by the same author that show he has followed the conflicts in the Sudan closely but make no other mention of oil reserves discovered in Darfur.
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/685/re14.htm
8 - 14 April 2004
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/686/re2.htm
15 -21 April 2004
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/688/fr3.htm
29 April - 5 May 2004
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Excerpts from further reports:
(Business Wire 8/Apr/99) LUNDIN OIL 'SPUDS FIRST WELL': Lundin Oil AB through its wholly owned subsidiary, IPC Sudan Limited, 'is pleased to announce the drilling of its first exploration well in Block 5A, onshore Sudan. The well is being drilled on the Thar Jath prospect and was spudded on April 7th.' 'The prospect is on one of the largest structural features identified to date in the basin and is believed to hold significant potential for oil. Drilling to a total planned depth of 3,200 metres is expected to take between 30 and 45 days. Primary objectives are the Cretaceous Bentiu and Darfur sandstones which have been proven successful in the adjacent block being developed by the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating CompanyS'
http://66.102.11.104/univ/upenn?q=cache:LGFYw8IImXcJ:www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Newsl
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[Sudan Update Vol.6 No.13,[08/24/95] OIL FLUCTUATIONS: The Canadian company Arakis claims to have completed the design for the proposed oil pipeline from central Sudan to Port Sudan, and says that construction equipment and materials are being shipped to Sudan. However, Sudanese Finance Minister Abdallah Hassan Ahmed told al-Sharq al-Awsat on 5 August that the agreement between the government and Arakis was due for renewal.
http://66.102.11.104/univ/upenn?q=cache:V2Lx3cBfaxgJ:www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Newsletters/sdudt_13.html+sudan+oil+darfur&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
"We have an agreement with Arakis for the exploration for oil, which has expired and is awaiting a decision for renewal. The pipeline is a totally separate project. Arakis assured us that they had secured financing [for the pipeline] through a Gulf Arab company. But despite that, there are many options open to the Sudan government to implement the pipeline project and Arakis is not the sole player," the minister said. SNV notes that in recent weeks Maj-Gen Salah Karrar, as Minister of Energy, has negotiated agreements for oil development in Sudan with Russia, China, Iraq and Iran.
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[Data as of June 1991] Uranium ores have been discovered in the area of the Nuba Mountains and at Hufrat an Nahas in southern Kurdufan. Minex Company of the United States obtained a 36,000-square-kilometer exploratory concession in the Kurdufan area in 1977, and the concession was increased to 48,000 square kilometers in 1979. Uranium reserves are also believed to exist near the western borders with Chad and Central African Republic. Another potential source of mineral wealth was the Red Sea bed. In 1974 officials established a joint Sudanese-Saudi Arabian agency to develop those resources, which included zinc, silver, copper, and other minerals. Explorations below the 2,000-meter mark have indicated that large quantities of the minerals are present, but as of 1990 no actual extraction had been undertaken.
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+sd0087)
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Here is a copy of a previous post at this blog, dated April 16, 2005:
SUDAN SAYS OIL DISCOVERED
In impoverished Darfur
Sorry, been busy over at Congo Watch, Sudan Watch and Passion of the Present. Copy of latest post on the Sudan:
Here is no surprise. But, if true, it is the first time a Sudanese official has confirmed it: an oil field has been discovered in southern Darfur.
Note, southern Darfur is the region where a savage attack on Khor Abeche [which was controlled by the SLM, the main rebel group in Darfur] by 200 militia and a group of 150 people hailing from Niteaga took place April 7, 2005.
By UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
Published April 16, 2005
KHARTOUM, Sudan -- Sudan said Saturday initial oil drilling operations in the troubled Darfur region indicate there is abundant oil in the area.
Sudan Energy Minister Awad al-Jaz told reporters in Khartoum an oil field was found in southern Darfur and it is expected to produce 500,000 barrels of oil per day by August.
Most of the country's oil production comes from oil fields in southern Sudan, where a peace treaty was recently signed between the government and rebels.
According to the accord, 50 percent of oil revenues from the south will go to the Sudan People's Liberation Movement [the former rebel group of south Sudan], while the other half to Khartoum.
The country started exporting oil in August 1999.
Photo: Sudan Energy Minister Awad Ahmed Al-Jaz (Sudan Tribune)
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Further reading
July 11, 2004 post - Arab sources say oil discovered in Darfur - Sudan and India sign new pipeline deal.
July 12, 2004 post by Jim Moore re Oil and Darfur.
Dec 4, 2004 post on Oil and Darfur - India signs new pipeline deal - France interested in Uranium and has drilling rights.
Apr 3, 2005 post - Oil found in South Darfur - Oil issues threaten to derail Sudan hopes for peace.
Tags: Darfur Sudan Africa oil
Sudan and India sign new pipeline deal
July 7, 2004 report entitled "Oil Underlies Darfur Tragedy" by Zaman in Turkey, says that according to Arab sources, the fighting in Darfur stems from attempts to gain control over the oil resources in the region. Also, their sources point out that oil fields have recently been discovered in Darfur.
May 15, 2004 report entitled "W. Sudan: a complex ethnic reality with a long history" by Professor R.S. O'Fahey of University of Bergen, Norway (and Northwestern University) writes of Darfur: "the racist dimension comes to the fore in reports of rape and mass killings, cynically supported by the Khartoum government, which is determined to retain control over the area. The reason is simple: a possible oil pipeline through Darfur."
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The above two reports are the first of three I've found that mention oil in Darfur. Mainstream media seem to concentrate their reports on the conflict in Darfur as being about government backed Janjaweed eliminating black Africans who feel marginalised and excluded from getting a fair share of power and wealth for their region. Which, going by witness accounts, is all true. But ever since I started blogging about the Sudan crisis on April 24, I've sought (unsuccessfully) to find the answer to one of my questions, namely: All during the past years of Peace Accord negotiations for the north and south of Sudan, why did the U.S. and Sudan see fit to exclude the western and eastern regions of Sudan?
Back in April I'd read somewhere that oil had been discovered in both Darfur and along the border of Sudan and Chad. Unfortunately I've misplaced the link to the report. In May I came across a report (see above) by Professor O'Fahey that provides a succinct overview of western Sudan's history. The report basically says the GoS supports the rape, mass killings and ethnic cleansing because it is determined to retain control over Darfur for a simple reason: a possible oil pipeline through Darfur. [Note Professor O'Fahey's report is copied in full in my next post, above]
Maybe the U.S. did not view Darfur as a big problem as they concentrated on brokering peace for the north-south: a lasting peace that would enable a seemingly united Sudan move forward and progress for the benefit of all regions. It would appear the U.S. does not have an interest in Sudan's oil, not because it is too expensive but because their main aim is to promote democracy and fight international terrorism (and respond to pressure from groups concerned with abuses of human rights).
Perhaps the GoS knew all along that there was oil in Darfur. And they presumed (wrongly) we in the Western world wouldn't notice that black Africans were being eliminated to make way for the Arabisation of Sudan. The GoS are keen on getting the Peace Accord signed and sealed because it will legitimise their standing (they're an unelected dictatorship that stole power through a coup) and it will help pave the way for doing deals with Asian oil companies, which may in turn help attract back the big players (ie British Petroleum) that pulled out of Sudan because of human rights issues.
See this July 1 report entitled "Sudan signed new pipeline deal with the Indian ONGC". It states "a new 741 kilometer-long pipeline with 12 inches in diameter is a real addition to exportation of oil products to international market". Also, it reports that India ONGC has another agreement - for establishing a third pipeline with 32 inches in diameter - that will be signed soon.
It'd be interesting to know the location of that third pipeline. And why the oil companies in Sudan are getting away with no media coverage on the Sudan crisis. Here below is a map of oil concessions in Sudan where one can see how closely the oil companies are situated to Darfur. I wonder why there is no news coming out of Sudan from them?
So little reporting comes out of Sudan. Most mainstream media reports I find are regurgitated snippets emanating from a few original sources, ie UN, US, EU press conferences, summits etc. I've read that the GoS goes to great pains to keep publicity reaching the residents of Khartoum, for fear it will cause an outcry. It'd be great to have more than a few bloggers in Khartoum to spread the word.
In a forthcoming post I list the aid contributions made by several countries. Note that France has contributed USD 12 million to the international aid effort in Darfur (through bilateral and EU channels). So far, UK has given USD 65 million. Italy USD 30 million. Since India has been striking such big deals with Sudan, it would be interesting to know how much aid they've contributed towards humanitarian assistance for Darfur - along with China and Malaysia - and any other country on the UN Security Council that is responsible for blocking sanctions - and military intervention - to put pressure on Khartoum to protect its people and aid workers in Sudan.
WELCOME TO HELL - ON THE GROUND IN SUDAN
Where 500 applications - from humanitarian agencies alone - are gathering diplomatic dust
In today's Sunday Times magazine, reporter AA Gill writes from Sudan where he has witnessed the plight of refugees fleeing genocide.
The situation is as bad as we bloggers are describing. Nothing has been exaggerated. In fact it is even more grim than words can convey here.
The front page of the magazine introduced the report in big bold letters, saying: "WELCOME TO HELL: There are rumours of genocide and ethnic cleansing whispered on the gritty, boiling wind. In ones and twos, and tens and hundreds, they struggle in with stories of systematic murder, rape, slavery and scorched earth'
Inside the magazine, one whole page is taken up with these words in large letters: 'The Janjaweed come and kill all the men and boys. They rape the women and take some as slaves, burn the villages and the crops they can't steal. Who will stand up to the Janjaweed, the most feared and sadistically ruthless thugs on a continent glutted with horror?'
The reporter describes the situation as "calculated crime" and calls it "the greatest inhumanitarian disaster in the world". He says the Government of Sudan's reason for not intervening is clear: it's ethnic cleansing and genocide. And goes on to say, "anyone who doubts that this conflict is either genocidal or ethnically motivated only has to visit these camps. All the refugees are black; there are no Arabs here. And even more shocking, 90% of them are women and children. The children up to the age of five are about 50-50 girls and boys, as you'd expect. From 5 to 15 they are 70% girls. It is impossible to imagine any other explanation for this disappeared generation of men than systematic murder. The women tell of deaths, terrified flight, lost children, missing husbands. "We will never go back" says one. "Unless the UN have soldiers, and only if they are white soldiers," adds another."
On Sudan and humanitarian access, the reporter says promised visas for observers and NGOs never materialise - and if they do manage to get one, access to the worst areas is limited. He writes "there are 500 applications - from humanitarian agencies alone - gathering diplomatic dust".
No doubt the humanitarian agencies are making this known to their respective governments. I just wish the media would make more of these important issues and get the message across to the residents of Khartoum. I'd like to know about the people who live in Khartoum and what they think - as well as those who work within the oil companies adjacent to Darfur. If anyone reading this has heard or knows of any blogs in Khartoum or Sudan, please email me.
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UPDATE:
OIL AND MINERAL RICHES IN DARFUR
Uranium discovered in Hofrat Al Nihas:
France is interested in Uranium and has drilling rights in Sudan
The following post was published in this blog on August 2, 2004, - and inserted here - on August, 20, 2004:
Beyond3D, "an attempt in conversation", has a thread going on re my July 21 post on OIl and Darfur. The same post was picked up here by Passion of the Present.
My search for reports of any riches in Darfur is an ongoing project. Along with answers to my original questions (still not found answers). And why France was so slow to help when they knew - first hand - of genocide unfolding. New findings re riches in Darfur will be added to my original post as and when. France is a post-in-progress and will appear here. Soon I shall start paying more attention to my new blog A Breath of Hope to log the successes and failures of the aid agencies. Please feel free to share any relevant info on any of these topics by email to me or in the comments and I will write a post around it and link to your blog.
At the moment I am searching for maps to pinpoint Hofrat Al Nihas. (Other names: Hofrat el Nahas, Hofrat en Nahās, Ḩufrat an Naḩās, Hofrat en Nahas). I think it may be in South Darfur - maybe close to a border. My time has been used up getting these posts together. If anyone finds it clearly -- on a map -- please let me know and I will write a post around it with links to your blog. Here's why:
Khaleej Times Online report excerpt: "The oil and precious mineral resources such as uranium discovered in Hofrat Al Nihas have set off fierce competition between US and France. The US has started to invest in oil industry in Chad, France's former colony, while France Total company obtained drilling rights in Sudan."
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SUDAN UPDATE: RAISING THE STAKES -
Oil and conflict in Sudan
Take Action has ready-made emails to President Bush
The following is an excerpt from a post published in this blog on August 3, 2004, - and inserted here on August, 20, 2004:
Right now, I am one quarter of the way through reading an incredible report entitled "Sudan Update: Raising the stakes: Oil and conflict in Sudan".
The report provides an accurate picture of what has been going on in Sudan over past years. If anyone else reads it all the way through - and provides a summary on their blog - I will personally send them a popular Moleskine notebook at Christmas time. I don't expect too many people will be breaking down my blog door to write such a summary, so I guess I won't be overwhelmed by the mailing of many notebooks ;)
Below are a few extracts I've taken from the report. Sorry I cannot spend more time on it. Must get this published. I'm serious about about the Moleskine gift. The report is packed full of useful details that will take me too long to summarise. I'd like to share it here asap in the hope that it gets a wider reading. It's an important report (who authored it?) as it shows what the National Islamic Front (NIF) government of Sudan has been up since it stole power fifteen years ago. Last Friday's UN resolution giving Khartroum 30 days will not make the slightest difference - even if they were given another 30 or 60 days. The report (looks like it was published in 1999) explains the reasons why. Here are some excerpts:
SUDAN UPDATE: RAISING THE STAKES:
Oil and conflict in Sudan
On 30 August 1999, Sudan filled its first tanker-load of oil.
Now, Sudan, Africa's largest country, could join OPEC and hold its head up as an oil exporter alongside Saudi Arabia and Libya, said Sudan's government ministers. Their critics replied that if it did join OPEC it would be politically insignificant alongside the major producers. Better parallels would be with the repression, sabotage, corruption and pollution encountered in Burma, Colombia or the Niger Delta.
Just three weeks later, on 20 September 1999, opponents of Sudan's military regime blew a hole in the newly-completed pipeline.
The attack shattered the calculated charm of the government's recent public relations efforts. It began issuing threats to neighbouring Egypt and Eritrea, demanding that they expel the opposition's leaders there, while arresting opponents and lashing out at the local press. "Its campaign to convince the world that it has security under control, and that serious talks about ending Sudan's war are now possible, [seem] to be wrong on both counts." (Africa Confidential 8 October 1999)
The explosion also embarrassed the Board members of the Greater Nile Operating Company, including Talisman Energy Inc of Calgary - formerly British Petroleum Canada - who were meeting in Khartoum that week. They had claimed for years that the only risk to their project was in the southern war zone, and that peace was in any case close at hand.
Now they were under greater pressure than ever to talk to the banned opposition, which had long since declared their installations throughout the country to be military targets. However, their tone remained defiant. Just a public relations failure, they said.
How much oil is there? Proven oil reserves are enough to last some 15 years. Not enough to solve any of Sudan's deep-rooted problems, but enough to create plenty more.
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"Sudan accounts for the largest number of the world's uprooted people. More than 4.3 million Sudanese have been forced to flee because of the continuing bloody civil war in the south and east. One out of every eight refugees and displaced persons in the world are Sudanese. (U.S. Committee for Refugees USCR World Refugee Survey)
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Oilfields, which lie underneath the dividing line between the warring north and south of the country, have been fuelling conflict for the last 20 years.
The oil-rush has long been bloodier and messier than its defenders would like the world to believe, and systematic destruction and relocation of communities are part and parcel of the oil project. People in the areas around the militarised oil installations and the pipeline route have been subjected to devastating attacks by government forces for years. They are being driven from their homes by air-raids and bombardment, and by militias supported by the government, resulting in horrendous suffering.
The government of Sudan has called the oil "a sacred gift to the faithful"
A huge country of vast semi-desert expanses and intense heat, Sudan is said to have oil reserves of anything from 600 million barrels to 3 billion. It also has minerals, gold, uranium, and vast expanses of arable land. Tempting, perhaps. The government of Sudan has called the oil "a sacred gift to the faithful". Its would-be partners in the oil project - companies from Canada, China and Malaysia, Austria, Sweden and France - seem to think likewise, as do the suppliers of oil pipeline equipment from Britain and Germany, and the oil traders from Netherlands and Japan. But when it comes to making use of this asset, it is not only the sheer immensity of the terrain that brings with it a host of complications.
The former UN Human Rights Rapporteur who worked on Sudan for years, Dr Gaspar Biro, has commented that if the oil companies don't know what is going on, they're not looking over the fences of their compounds.
Nonetheless, along with Canada, China and Malaysia, European countries are increasingly involved in oil project. They are ignoring the role it plays in the conflict and instead casting it in a favourable light. And the European Union seems to be doing the same.
- - -
The regime has repeatedly denied permission for humanitarian flights to aid the most afflicted populations, dropped cluster bombs on clearly civilian targets, and repeatedly bombed clearly-marked civilian hospitals.
Throughout the 1990s, Sudan's NIF government has been using the prospect of oil for maximum propaganda value, a vital part of its efforts to get rid of its international "human rights and terrorism pariah" status and attract foreign investment into its war-devastated economy. The growing involvement of Canadian and European companies has begun to lend it a much-needed, but unwarranted, appearance of respectability.
As Aung San Suu Kyi said of UK's Premier Oil in Burma: "Apart from the actual revenues that it brings to the government, it also constitutes a psychological boost because it makes the government feel that, however repressive they may be, they still have the support of big companies. And if those countries are from Western democracies, it's even more serious because it gives the military regime the chance to say: 'Look, even companies from Western democracies support us, so what we are doing can't be that wrong. Why are the democratic forces making such a fuss?'" (Mark Thomas / Channel 4 TV www.channel4.com, October 1999)
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Above all, the National Islamic Front government desperately needs the revenue from the oil project to strengthen its grip on the country.
Despite its constant use of the word "Popular" in its slogans, the NIF itself is extremely unpopular. In the 1986 general elections its members won less than ten per cent of the vote; it staged a coup in 1989 to abort a peace process, and it would lose disastrously if free elections were held now. But it has held on to power for a decade on which it has made its mark by its readiness to deny charges of systematic and gross human rights abuse, claiming persecution by the outside world for its "Islamic orientation".
In practice this has amounted to religiously-infused totalitarianism, feared and despised by the predominantly Muslim community in northern Sudan, nearly as much as by the people of the generally non-Muslim south. Its encouragement of violent militancy has spread beyond Sudan's borders and is a source of alarm to its neighbours in the Horn of Africa.
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Further reading:
Aug 2: World Food Programme is starting to airdrop food in remote parts of Darfur. Refugees are receiving the food sacks dropped by WFP. WFP (a UN body) is airlifting food to the "most inaccessible" parts of Sudan's western Darfur region for the first time. It says the food will assist more than 70,000 people who have been cut off from other help because of the rainy season and insecurity. The International Committee of the Red Cross, which says it distributed food to 20,000 Darfurians earlier this month, says persisting pockets of fighting and attacks have made access to people in the region difficult.
Aug 2: World must double food aid to Sudan warns head of MSF, today.
Aug 2: Sudan's Army says the UN resolution on the conflict in Darfur is 'a declaration of war' and threatens to fight any foreign intervention.
Aug 2:: US State Department says: "There is no excuse for Sudan not taking action now. The Security Council calls for action now. And that's what we want to see. And we will evaluate the situation again in 30 days."
Aug 2 report on Sudan's military situation: military experts in Britain say Sudanese Armed Forces are conscript-dependent and poorly equipped."
Aug 2: post by Black Looks on Playing Politics in Darfur
July 24:
Booker Rising writes: "Mustafa Osman Ismail Sudan's foreign minister (pictured above) rejects a U.S. Congressional declaration that atrocities in its western Darfur region amounts to genocide. He insists that his government is doing everything it can to end the conflict, which has killed 30,000 people and forced a million to flee. He accuses global concern as "actually a targeting of the Islamic state in Sudan." Let's see. 2 million folks have died since 1983, at the government's hand. 400+ black villages burned down. Slavery. Government-backed Arab militias conduct mass rape campaigns against black women, knowing that ethnicity in the region is traced through the father. Yep, genocide."July 30 2004: Embassy of Sudan report by John Laughland.
- - -
OIL RESERVES HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED
IN COMMERCIAL QUANTITIES IN DARFUR -
There is a lot of money at stake
The following was published here on August, 20, 2004:
Here is an excerpt from a fourth report I have found that contains a clear reference to oil in Darfur. The report, entitled "Sudan in the dock" is authored by Gamai Nkrumah and was published in Cairo today at Al-Ahram online:
"The conflict in Darfur, one of Sudan's poorest and least developed regions, has a military dimension. But the primary struggle is political, ideological and economic. Oil reserves have been discovered in commercial quantities in Darfur, and the protracted oil-fuelled war in Darfur is far from over. There is a lot of money at stake."
Also, below are three reports by the same author that show he has followed the conflicts in the Sudan closely but make no other mention of oil reserves discovered in Darfur.
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/685/re14.htm
8 - 14 April 2004
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/686/re2.htm
15 -21 April 2004
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/688/fr3.htm
29 April - 5 May 2004
- - -
Excerpts from further reports:
(Business Wire 8/Apr/99) LUNDIN OIL 'SPUDS FIRST WELL': Lundin Oil AB through its wholly owned subsidiary, IPC Sudan Limited, 'is pleased to announce the drilling of its first exploration well in Block 5A, onshore Sudan. The well is being drilled on the Thar Jath prospect and was spudded on April 7th.' 'The prospect is on one of the largest structural features identified to date in the basin and is believed to hold significant potential for oil. Drilling to a total planned depth of 3,200 metres is expected to take between 30 and 45 days. Primary objectives are the Cretaceous Bentiu and Darfur sandstones which have been proven successful in the adjacent block being developed by the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating CompanyS'
http://66.102.11.104/univ/upenn?q=cache:LGFYw8IImXcJ:www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Newsl
- - -
[Sudan Update Vol.6 No.13,[08/24/95] OIL FLUCTUATIONS: The Canadian company Arakis claims to have completed the design for the proposed oil pipeline from central Sudan to Port Sudan, and says that construction equipment and materials are being shipped to Sudan. However, Sudanese Finance Minister Abdallah Hassan Ahmed told al-Sharq al-Awsat on 5 August that the agreement between the government and Arakis was due for renewal.
http://66.102.11.104/univ/upenn?q=cache:V2Lx3cBfaxgJ:www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Newsletters/sdudt_13.html+sudan+oil+darfur&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
"We have an agreement with Arakis for the exploration for oil, which has expired and is awaiting a decision for renewal. The pipeline is a totally separate project. Arakis assured us that they had secured financing [for the pipeline] through a Gulf Arab company. But despite that, there are many options open to the Sudan government to implement the pipeline project and Arakis is not the sole player," the minister said. SNV notes that in recent weeks Maj-Gen Salah Karrar, as Minister of Energy, has negotiated agreements for oil development in Sudan with Russia, China, Iraq and Iran.
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[Data as of June 1991] Uranium ores have been discovered in the area of the Nuba Mountains and at Hufrat an Nahas in southern Kurdufan. Minex Company of the United States obtained a 36,000-square-kilometer exploratory concession in the Kurdufan area in 1977, and the concession was increased to 48,000 square kilometers in 1979. Uranium reserves are also believed to exist near the western borders with Chad and Central African Republic. Another potential source of mineral wealth was the Red Sea bed. In 1974 officials established a joint Sudanese-Saudi Arabian agency to develop those resources, which included zinc, silver, copper, and other minerals. Explorations below the 2,000-meter mark have indicated that large quantities of the minerals are present, but as of 1990 no actual extraction had been undertaken.
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+sd0087)
- - -
Here is a copy of a previous post at this blog, dated April 16, 2005:
SUDAN SAYS OIL DISCOVERED
In impoverished Darfur
Sorry, been busy over at Congo Watch, Sudan Watch and Passion of the Present. Copy of latest post on the Sudan:
Here is no surprise. But, if true, it is the first time a Sudanese official has confirmed it: an oil field has been discovered in southern Darfur.
Note, southern Darfur is the region where a savage attack on Khor Abeche [which was controlled by the SLM, the main rebel group in Darfur] by 200 militia and a group of 150 people hailing from Niteaga took place April 7, 2005.
By UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
Published April 16, 2005
KHARTOUM, Sudan -- Sudan said Saturday initial oil drilling operations in the troubled Darfur region indicate there is abundant oil in the area.
Sudan Energy Minister Awad al-Jaz told reporters in Khartoum an oil field was found in southern Darfur and it is expected to produce 500,000 barrels of oil per day by August.
Most of the country's oil production comes from oil fields in southern Sudan, where a peace treaty was recently signed between the government and rebels.
According to the accord, 50 percent of oil revenues from the south will go to the Sudan People's Liberation Movement [the former rebel group of south Sudan], while the other half to Khartoum.
The country started exporting oil in August 1999.
Photo: Sudan Energy Minister Awad Ahmed Al-Jaz (Sudan Tribune)
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Further reading
July 11, 2004 post - Arab sources say oil discovered in Darfur - Sudan and India sign new pipeline deal.
July 12, 2004 post by Jim Moore re Oil and Darfur.
Dec 4, 2004 post on Oil and Darfur - India signs new pipeline deal - France interested in Uranium and has drilling rights.
Apr 3, 2005 post - Oil found in South Darfur - Oil issues threaten to derail Sudan hopes for peace.
Tags: Darfur Sudan Africa oil
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/11/2004
- - -
SUDAN ACQUIRES 12 NEW MIG FIGHTERS
Is this part of Sudan's moblisation for war?
Undated www.splmtoday.com report says a reliable source has informed them the Government of Sudan (GoS) is acquiring twelve (12) Mig-29 Jet fighter bombers from Ukraine.
Four of these have already been delivered to Khartoum in two installments. The first two were delivered on 29th December 2003 and the other two were delivered a month later on the 29th January 2004. The contract stipulates that the remaining eight shall be delivered to Government of Sudan (GoS) before the end of June 2004.
The source also revealed that the four bombers delivered so far, came to Khartoum via Iran and Egypt. It is worth noting that the deal for the sale of the Mig fighters has been brokered by a company called “Golden Procurements Limited” owned by a French national based in the tiny East African island of Seychelles. The Frenchman, who has been a mercenary in the region and has extensive business ties with Khartoum including oil and arms, is notoriously known for clandestine activities.
The www.splmtoday.com has also established that the four Migs so far delivered were used to bomb civilians and water dykes in the Jebel Mara Region in Darfur. It is also amazing to note that while the GoS talked peace with the SPLM/A in Naivasha, Kenya, its military is mobilising for war particularly in Western Upper Nile area in Southern Sudan. Is the purchase of these Migs using oil revenues from Western Upper Nile a part of the GOS mobilisation for war?
SUDAN ACQUIRES 12 NEW MIG FIGHTERS
Is this part of Sudan's moblisation for war?
Undated www.splmtoday.com report says a reliable source has informed them the Government of Sudan (GoS) is acquiring twelve (12) Mig-29 Jet fighter bombers from Ukraine.
Four of these have already been delivered to Khartoum in two installments. The first two were delivered on 29th December 2003 and the other two were delivered a month later on the 29th January 2004. The contract stipulates that the remaining eight shall be delivered to Government of Sudan (GoS) before the end of June 2004.
The source also revealed that the four bombers delivered so far, came to Khartoum via Iran and Egypt. It is worth noting that the deal for the sale of the Mig fighters has been brokered by a company called “Golden Procurements Limited” owned by a French national based in the tiny East African island of Seychelles. The Frenchman, who has been a mercenary in the region and has extensive business ties with Khartoum including oil and arms, is notoriously known for clandestine activities.
The www.splmtoday.com has also established that the four Migs so far delivered were used to bomb civilians and water dykes in the Jebel Mara Region in Darfur. It is also amazing to note that while the GoS talked peace with the SPLM/A in Naivasha, Kenya, its military is mobilising for war particularly in Western Upper Nile area in Southern Sudan. Is the purchase of these Migs using oil revenues from Western Upper Nile a part of the GOS mobilisation for war?
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/11/2004
- - -
BUSH PHONED BASHIR AND GARANG IN MARCH 2004
To rein in militia in Darfur and open up aid access
March 23, 2004 White House Press briefing - copied here in full:
Press Briefing Scott McClellan - US Government
The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
March 22, 2004
Hear Press Release - Real Audio
MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon. I have a few phone calls to read out from the President's morning. The President called Sudan President Bashir this morning. He also called Dr. John Garang, Chairman of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement. The President indicated to both President Bashir and Dr. Garang that there were moments in history when leaders must rise to make a big difference for their countries. This is that moment for Sudan. Now is the time for Sudan to show the world that they can reconcile their differences, make peace, and improve the lives of all the Sudanese. He told both parties to work with a sense of urgency to finalize an agreement. The President urged President Bashir to accept the United States` proposal offered by his envoy, John Danforth, on the disputed area as the basis for working out remaining issues and completing a framework agreement in the coming days.
The President offered reassurance that Sudan's relationship with the United States will change once a peace is completed. The United States wants a new relationship with Sudan. The President expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis in the western province and asked President Bashir to rein in militia and open up humanitarian access in the region. The President thanked Dr. Garang for accepting the United States` proposal offered by his envoy, John Danforth, on the disputed area, and urged that it be used as the basis for working out remaining issues and completing a framework agreement in the coming days.
The President offered assurances that the United States will remain engaged after a peace is reached to ensure implementation, including United States support for international monitors and reconstruction of the south.
BUSH PHONED BASHIR AND GARANG IN MARCH 2004
To rein in militia in Darfur and open up aid access
March 23, 2004 White House Press briefing - copied here in full:
Press Briefing Scott McClellan - US Government
The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
March 22, 2004
Hear Press Release - Real Audio
MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon. I have a few phone calls to read out from the President's morning. The President called Sudan President Bashir this morning. He also called Dr. John Garang, Chairman of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement. The President indicated to both President Bashir and Dr. Garang that there were moments in history when leaders must rise to make a big difference for their countries. This is that moment for Sudan. Now is the time for Sudan to show the world that they can reconcile their differences, make peace, and improve the lives of all the Sudanese. He told both parties to work with a sense of urgency to finalize an agreement. The President urged President Bashir to accept the United States` proposal offered by his envoy, John Danforth, on the disputed area as the basis for working out remaining issues and completing a framework agreement in the coming days.
The President offered reassurance that Sudan's relationship with the United States will change once a peace is completed. The United States wants a new relationship with Sudan. The President expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis in the western province and asked President Bashir to rein in militia and open up humanitarian access in the region. The President thanked Dr. Garang for accepting the United States` proposal offered by his envoy, John Danforth, on the disputed area, and urged that it be used as the basis for working out remaining issues and completing a framework agreement in the coming days.
The President offered assurances that the United States will remain engaged after a peace is reached to ensure implementation, including United States support for international monitors and reconstruction of the south.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/11/2004
- - -
JANJAWEEDGATE
Janjaweed leader meets US envoy in Khartoum
Musa Hilal - Sheikh of the Mahameed
(Head of the Janjaweed militia)
According to the Sudan Tribune, Musa Hilal, sheikh of the Mahameed (head of the Janjaweed) recently held an important long meeting with Gerard Gallucci, U.S. charge d'affaires in Khartoum.
See July 9 vent by Hisham A. Mageed.
- - -
DR DAVID HOILE
Director of European-Sudanese Public Affairs Council (ESPAC)
Just when you think you are beginning to see the whole picture of what is going on in Sudan, you come across reports with completely opposite stories, ie the writings of Dr David Hoile, director of the European-Sudanese Public Affairs Council.
Dr Hoile sent his "Janjaweed Militia in Darfur" essay to Media Monitors Network, July 5 2004.
Note his work at ESPAC - "Working for Peace in Sudan"
And compare his writings with the following reports:
(1) Take a look at "QUANTIFYING GENOCIDE IN SOUTHERN SUDAN AND THE NUBA MOUNTAINS 1983-1998" report by Millard Burr, Ph.D. December 1998 [summary of report, is copied in next post here below].
(2) Read Dr Eric Reeves' report "Unreleased UN Report on Darfur: Human Rights Finds a ''Reign of Terror'' - regarding this important U.N. report "Situation of human rights in the Darfur region of the Sudan" dated May 3, 2004.
(3) Check out report "Southern Sudan: Ethnic Cleansing and Civilian Bombings Indicate Possible Genocide" by Madoka Morimoto & Marika Zirk.
(4) Scan list at southerners chronology and minorities at risk (MAR).
All of the above reports are freely available on the Internet - and must have been widely read by many people around the world.
Like Jim Moore says, you can't make this stuff up.
Further reading:
Jim Moore connects the dots and says labels do matter: call Darfur a "genocide"
Justice Africa's analysis of Darfur Sudan genocide.
JANJAWEEDGATE
Janjaweed leader meets US envoy in Khartoum
Musa Hilal - Sheikh of the Mahameed
(Head of the Janjaweed militia)
According to the Sudan Tribune, Musa Hilal, sheikh of the Mahameed (head of the Janjaweed) recently held an important long meeting with Gerard Gallucci, U.S. charge d'affaires in Khartoum.
See July 9 vent by Hisham A. Mageed.
- - -
DR DAVID HOILE
Director of European-Sudanese Public Affairs Council (ESPAC)
Just when you think you are beginning to see the whole picture of what is going on in Sudan, you come across reports with completely opposite stories, ie the writings of Dr David Hoile, director of the European-Sudanese Public Affairs Council.
Dr Hoile sent his "Janjaweed Militia in Darfur" essay to Media Monitors Network, July 5 2004.
Note his work at ESPAC - "Working for Peace in Sudan"
And compare his writings with the following reports:
(1) Take a look at "QUANTIFYING GENOCIDE IN SOUTHERN SUDAN AND THE NUBA MOUNTAINS 1983-1998" report by Millard Burr, Ph.D. December 1998 [summary of report, is copied in next post here below].
(2) Read Dr Eric Reeves' report "Unreleased UN Report on Darfur: Human Rights Finds a ''Reign of Terror'' - regarding this important U.N. report "Situation of human rights in the Darfur region of the Sudan" dated May 3, 2004.
(3) Check out report "Southern Sudan: Ethnic Cleansing and Civilian Bombings Indicate Possible Genocide" by Madoka Morimoto & Marika Zirk.
(4) Scan list at southerners chronology and minorities at risk (MAR).
All of the above reports are freely available on the Internet - and must have been widely read by many people around the world.
Like Jim Moore says, you can't make this stuff up.
Further reading:
Jim Moore connects the dots and says labels do matter: call Darfur a "genocide"
Justice Africa's analysis of Darfur Sudan genocide.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/11/2004
- - -
QUANTIFYING GENOCIDE IN SOUTHERN SUDAN AND THE NUBA MOUNTAINS 1983-1998 by Millard Burr, PhD
On google searching for oil in Darfur, I found an astonishing report entitled, "Quantifying Genocide in Southern Sudan and the Nuba Mountains: 1983 1998". It was researched and written by USCR consultant Millard Burr, former director of logistics for the U.S. Agency for International Development in Sudan, and published in December 1998.
An alternative link to the report can be found at here at www.refugees.org/news/crisis/sudan.pdf
The report is an amazing piece of work and a must-see for anyone following the Sudan crisis. It's doubful that many could manage reading the whole report, so here is a copy in full of a summary dated December 1998 by the U.S. Committee for Refugees, a humanitarian, nongovernmental organization that defends the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced people worldwide.
1.9 Million Dead from Sudan's Civil War; More Than 70,000 Deaths in 1998, Report Estimates
At least 1.9 million people in southern and central Sudan have died during the past 15 years as a direct result of civil war and intentional policies of the Sudan government, according to a newly updated study released today by the U.S. Committee for Refugees. The massive loss of life in Sudan far surpasses the death toll in any other current civil war anywhere in the world.
The report estimates that more than 70,000 Sudanese civilians have died of war-related causes in the first half of 1998 alone and predicts the ultimate death toll this year will climb significantly higher as more research becomes available.
It is believed that at least one out of every five southern Sudanese has died because of the 15-year civil war, and more than 80 percent of southern Sudan's estimated 5 million population have been displaced at some time since 1983. Some 4 million Sudanese are internally displaced - more than any other country on earth - and nearly 350,000 are refugees in six neighboring countries.
The findings on deaths in Sudan are contained in a new USCR report, "Quantifying Genocide in Southern Sudan and the Nuba Mountains: 1983-1998." The report updates a groundbreaking 1993 study sponsored by USCR which found that Sudan's war-related death toll was, at that time, twice as high as previously believed. Both the 1993 study and the new 1998 USCR report are based on an exhaustive compilation of year-by-year reports as well as internal Sudanese government documents.
The 1.9 million deaths in Sudan since 1983 were attributable to the violence of war, war-related famine and disease, and Sudanese government policies that spread conflict, forced southern Sudanese to relocate, and blocked relief efforts by the United Nations and international relief agencies. Splits within Sudan's rebel army have added to the killing and population displacement in recent years. The report states that its estimate of 1.9 million deaths is "conservative."
"The [Sudan] government has been relatively successful in sealing off much of Sudan from the prying eyes of journalists, aid agencies, and social scientists," the report states. As a result, the death toll during the past five years "has been much harder to quantify accurately."
The new report, unlike USCR's 1993 study, includes estimates of war-related deaths in central Sudan's remote Nuba Mountain area, where more than 100,000 to 200,000 people are believed to have perished because of the conflict. Despite the extent of suffering, "There has been no government or international agency effort to compile casualty statistics in the Nuba Mountains and southern Sudan," the report states. "Hundreds of thousands have died, but the deaths have usually occurred in small numbers, in a thousand villages, many of which are isolated."
"Sudan's civil war has been characterized by an incremental ferocity that has left untouched practically no one. . . in southern Sudan," the report states.
QUANTIFYING GENOCIDE IN SOUTHERN SUDAN AND THE NUBA MOUNTAINS 1983-1998 by Millard Burr, PhD
On google searching for oil in Darfur, I found an astonishing report entitled, "Quantifying Genocide in Southern Sudan and the Nuba Mountains: 1983 1998". It was researched and written by USCR consultant Millard Burr, former director of logistics for the U.S. Agency for International Development in Sudan, and published in December 1998.
An alternative link to the report can be found at here at www.refugees.org/news/crisis/sudan.pdf
The report is an amazing piece of work and a must-see for anyone following the Sudan crisis. It's doubful that many could manage reading the whole report, so here is a copy in full of a summary dated December 1998 by the U.S. Committee for Refugees, a humanitarian, nongovernmental organization that defends the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced people worldwide.
1.9 Million Dead from Sudan's Civil War; More Than 70,000 Deaths in 1998, Report Estimates
At least 1.9 million people in southern and central Sudan have died during the past 15 years as a direct result of civil war and intentional policies of the Sudan government, according to a newly updated study released today by the U.S. Committee for Refugees. The massive loss of life in Sudan far surpasses the death toll in any other current civil war anywhere in the world.
The report estimates that more than 70,000 Sudanese civilians have died of war-related causes in the first half of 1998 alone and predicts the ultimate death toll this year will climb significantly higher as more research becomes available.
It is believed that at least one out of every five southern Sudanese has died because of the 15-year civil war, and more than 80 percent of southern Sudan's estimated 5 million population have been displaced at some time since 1983. Some 4 million Sudanese are internally displaced - more than any other country on earth - and nearly 350,000 are refugees in six neighboring countries.
The findings on deaths in Sudan are contained in a new USCR report, "Quantifying Genocide in Southern Sudan and the Nuba Mountains: 1983-1998." The report updates a groundbreaking 1993 study sponsored by USCR which found that Sudan's war-related death toll was, at that time, twice as high as previously believed. Both the 1993 study and the new 1998 USCR report are based on an exhaustive compilation of year-by-year reports as well as internal Sudanese government documents.
The 1.9 million deaths in Sudan since 1983 were attributable to the violence of war, war-related famine and disease, and Sudanese government policies that spread conflict, forced southern Sudanese to relocate, and blocked relief efforts by the United Nations and international relief agencies. Splits within Sudan's rebel army have added to the killing and population displacement in recent years. The report states that its estimate of 1.9 million deaths is "conservative."
"The [Sudan] government has been relatively successful in sealing off much of Sudan from the prying eyes of journalists, aid agencies, and social scientists," the report states. As a result, the death toll during the past five years "has been much harder to quantify accurately."
The new report, unlike USCR's 1993 study, includes estimates of war-related deaths in central Sudan's remote Nuba Mountain area, where more than 100,000 to 200,000 people are believed to have perished because of the conflict. Despite the extent of suffering, "There has been no government or international agency effort to compile casualty statistics in the Nuba Mountains and southern Sudan," the report states. "Hundreds of thousands have died, but the deaths have usually occurred in small numbers, in a thousand villages, many of which are isolated."
"Sudan's civil war has been characterized by an incremental ferocity that has left untouched practically no one. . . in southern Sudan," the report states.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/11/2004
Monday, July 05, 2004
WIKI LION WRITES HIS EVERY THOUGHT - WHY?
Because of the clarity and answers that come with it
Someone once asked me, "if you could have any job in the world, what would it be?" I replied, "to be paid to think". Which I thought at the time probably sounded daft. Until I saw an entry in Who's Who where a chap had listed "thinking" as his one and only hobby.
My late father (who was a soldier in the Royal Army Medical Corps) often told me I thought too much. I never understood what he was getting at. "Don't talk about it, do it", he'd say when I'd float an idea. He was amused when the helicopter design planners he worked with complained of not having enough "thinking time". The British army trains soldiers not to think. I can see why, but don't agree with it outside of the military. I feel it would be good if people thought more deeply.
Seems it's possible our "mind's eye" can be trained to travel distances and "see" things. Years ago, I came across a report of 30 monks (Tibetan I think) who, after decades of training their minds, had reached such a clear and "high" level of thinking, they could communicate with each other, across distances, telepathically. Similar experiences are known by people who are into Scientology. Even the US military experimented with Remote Viewing.
In a declassified CIA/Stanford research report on Remote Viewing, a Research Manager concludes, "Despite the ambiguities inherent in the type of exploration covered in these programs, the integrated results appear to provide unequivocal evidence of a human capacity to access events remote in space and time, however falteringly, by some cognitive process not yet understood."
Thinking too hard can be "immobilising", says Lion Kimbro
Last week, the BBC reported that Lion Kimbro, a 26-year-old geek and computer games tester from Seattle, armed himself with pen and paper (no computer was up to the job) for three months, and wrote down every thought that came into his head.
'Why would anyone in their right mind want to do this?' asked the reporter. Lion answered: "Because of the incredibly clarity that comes with it. It may feel that for the first time in your life, you really have a clear idea of what kinds of thoughts are going through your head. I wanted to see if I could make myself smarter, by strategically placing notes to myself. Intelligence, as I define it, is getting the right information at the right time at the right place, towards whatever you are going for."
Lion emerged from his experiment a changed man. As a result of spending months thinking and writing down his thoughts with a pen, his brain had started to work in new ways. He said, "You can think about hidden subjects - things that are really important, but that people don't have the time to think about, such as: How to we communicate? How is thinking structured? What am I doing? And you find answers. Basically, it feels like watching Atlantis come up."
He predicts that within a few years, computers will be able to take and manage notes like his, and do as good a job as paper and pen.
In the meantime, he has taken to immersing himself in the closest existing equivalent - a type of website known as wiki that allows anyone to edit any page, instantly. He said "other popular communication systems like e-mail, chat and message boards are all message-based. Wiki is document-based - it's designed to exist across time. You can point wiki pages to each other. It's my notebook system all over again."
Lion's system is explained in his book which can be downloaded for free in the BBC report. Yesterday, after spending a few hours reading his Lion's Den it inspired me to google search for a good photo of Rodin's Thinker, and draft a post for tomorrow on two amazing Buddhist monasteries in California (one of which Lion's friend is planning to attend).
- - -
AUGUSTE RODIN
(1840-1917)
French artist Francois-Auguste-Rene-Rodin was born on Nov. 12, 1840, in Paris. Auguste Rodin had a profound influence on 20th-century sculpture. His works are distinguished by their stunning strength and realism. Rodin refused to ignore the negative aspects of humanity, and his works confront distress and moral weakness as well as passion and beauty.
The Thinker by Auguste Rodin
In 1908 Rodin moved to the Hôtel Biron outside Paris. The Hôtel Biron had previously been home to a religious community before the separation of church and state. The rent was very low and Rodin was able to occupy much of the ground floor. Several famous or soon to be famous tenants also lived there such as writer Jean Cocteau, painter Henri Matisse, and dancer Isadora Duncan.
In 1912, the state scheduled the Hôtel Biron for demolition and ordered the tenants to vacate. After persuading state officials, Rodin was allowed to stay. As an exchange, Rodin offered to bequeath his entire estate to the French government if he could reside at the Hôtel Biron for the remainder of his days and if they would convert the Hotel to a musuem for his work after he died. After much debate the state finally accepted the terms and he was allowed to live and work there for the remainder of his life. The final seal of the agreement, however, was not actually settled until one year before his death.
During his last year Rodin married his lifetime companion Rose Beuret on January 29, 1917. Rose died three weeks later and Rodin followed shortly, passing away on November 17, 1917. Friends and dignitaries came to Rodin's funeral to see him laid to rest beside Rose at Meudon with The Thinker at the base of his tomb.
Rodin's Funeral in Meudon, November 24, 1917
Rodin was 76 years old when he gave the French government the entire collection of his own works and other art objects he had acquired. They occupy the Hotel Biron in Paris as the Musee Rodin and are still placed as Rodin set them.
Source courtesy Rodin's biography.
- - -
FACT OF THE DAY - JULY 5, 2004
Courtesy Scotsman.com
A hip-shaking young truck driver by the name of Elvis Presley records his first single today in 1954. The young Elvis records a version of blues singer Arthur Crudup's 'That's Alright Mama' and the rest is rock'n'roll history. Thang'ya very much.
Because of the clarity and answers that come with it
Someone once asked me, "if you could have any job in the world, what would it be?" I replied, "to be paid to think". Which I thought at the time probably sounded daft. Until I saw an entry in Who's Who where a chap had listed "thinking" as his one and only hobby.
My late father (who was a soldier in the Royal Army Medical Corps) often told me I thought too much. I never understood what he was getting at. "Don't talk about it, do it", he'd say when I'd float an idea. He was amused when the helicopter design planners he worked with complained of not having enough "thinking time". The British army trains soldiers not to think. I can see why, but don't agree with it outside of the military. I feel it would be good if people thought more deeply.
Seems it's possible our "mind's eye" can be trained to travel distances and "see" things. Years ago, I came across a report of 30 monks (Tibetan I think) who, after decades of training their minds, had reached such a clear and "high" level of thinking, they could communicate with each other, across distances, telepathically. Similar experiences are known by people who are into Scientology. Even the US military experimented with Remote Viewing.
In a declassified CIA/Stanford research report on Remote Viewing, a Research Manager concludes, "Despite the ambiguities inherent in the type of exploration covered in these programs, the integrated results appear to provide unequivocal evidence of a human capacity to access events remote in space and time, however falteringly, by some cognitive process not yet understood."
Thinking too hard can be "immobilising", says Lion Kimbro
Last week, the BBC reported that Lion Kimbro, a 26-year-old geek and computer games tester from Seattle, armed himself with pen and paper (no computer was up to the job) for three months, and wrote down every thought that came into his head.
'Why would anyone in their right mind want to do this?' asked the reporter. Lion answered: "Because of the incredibly clarity that comes with it. It may feel that for the first time in your life, you really have a clear idea of what kinds of thoughts are going through your head. I wanted to see if I could make myself smarter, by strategically placing notes to myself. Intelligence, as I define it, is getting the right information at the right time at the right place, towards whatever you are going for."
Lion emerged from his experiment a changed man. As a result of spending months thinking and writing down his thoughts with a pen, his brain had started to work in new ways. He said, "You can think about hidden subjects - things that are really important, but that people don't have the time to think about, such as: How to we communicate? How is thinking structured? What am I doing? And you find answers. Basically, it feels like watching Atlantis come up."
He predicts that within a few years, computers will be able to take and manage notes like his, and do as good a job as paper and pen.
In the meantime, he has taken to immersing himself in the closest existing equivalent - a type of website known as wiki that allows anyone to edit any page, instantly. He said "other popular communication systems like e-mail, chat and message boards are all message-based. Wiki is document-based - it's designed to exist across time. You can point wiki pages to each other. It's my notebook system all over again."
Lion's system is explained in his book which can be downloaded for free in the BBC report. Yesterday, after spending a few hours reading his Lion's Den it inspired me to google search for a good photo of Rodin's Thinker, and draft a post for tomorrow on two amazing Buddhist monasteries in California (one of which Lion's friend is planning to attend).
- - -
AUGUSTE RODIN
(1840-1917)
French artist Francois-Auguste-Rene-Rodin was born on Nov. 12, 1840, in Paris. Auguste Rodin had a profound influence on 20th-century sculpture. His works are distinguished by their stunning strength and realism. Rodin refused to ignore the negative aspects of humanity, and his works confront distress and moral weakness as well as passion and beauty.
The Thinker by Auguste Rodin
In 1908 Rodin moved to the Hôtel Biron outside Paris. The Hôtel Biron had previously been home to a religious community before the separation of church and state. The rent was very low and Rodin was able to occupy much of the ground floor. Several famous or soon to be famous tenants also lived there such as writer Jean Cocteau, painter Henri Matisse, and dancer Isadora Duncan.
In 1912, the state scheduled the Hôtel Biron for demolition and ordered the tenants to vacate. After persuading state officials, Rodin was allowed to stay. As an exchange, Rodin offered to bequeath his entire estate to the French government if he could reside at the Hôtel Biron for the remainder of his days and if they would convert the Hotel to a musuem for his work after he died. After much debate the state finally accepted the terms and he was allowed to live and work there for the remainder of his life. The final seal of the agreement, however, was not actually settled until one year before his death.
During his last year Rodin married his lifetime companion Rose Beuret on January 29, 1917. Rose died three weeks later and Rodin followed shortly, passing away on November 17, 1917. Friends and dignitaries came to Rodin's funeral to see him laid to rest beside Rose at Meudon with The Thinker at the base of his tomb.
Rodin's Funeral in Meudon, November 24, 1917
Rodin was 76 years old when he gave the French government the entire collection of his own works and other art objects he had acquired. They occupy the Hotel Biron in Paris as the Musee Rodin and are still placed as Rodin set them.
Source courtesy Rodin's biography.
- - -
FACT OF THE DAY - JULY 5, 2004
Courtesy Scotsman.com
A hip-shaking young truck driver by the name of Elvis Presley records his first single today in 1954. The young Elvis records a version of blues singer Arthur Crudup's 'That's Alright Mama' and the rest is rock'n'roll history. Thang'ya very much.
# posted by Ingrid @ 7/05/2004
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Saturday, July 03, 2004
TIBET: CRY OF THE SNOW LION
Movie review
Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion is an extraordinary documentary about the near-destruction of an enlightened 1,700 year old culture, the incredible suffering of a violated people, and the spiritual survival of hope in the hearts of those who believe that one day they will be able to re-taste the joys of freedom.
The film is bound to stir your conscience, appeal to your yearning for justice, and inspire you to do all you can to advance the cause of the Tibetan people.
Photo: A fresco of Buddha defaced by a bullet hole at temple ruins in central Tibet
Director and cinematographer Tom Peosay spent ten years on this vast and substantive project shot on "the rooftop of the world."
Interviews provide both historical and contemporary perspectives on the situation in Tibet, including commentaries by:
His Holiness the Dalai Lama;
Lhasang Tserling, founder of the Amnye Machen Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies;
Robert Thurman, Director of Tibet House in New York City;
John Avedon, author of In Exile from the Land of Snows;
Stephen Batchelor, Buddhist scholar and author;
Robert Ford, author of Wind Between the Worlds and one of the few westerners to have lived in pre-Chinese Tibet;
Blake Kerr, author of Sky Burial: An Eyewitness Account of China's Brutal Crackdown in Tibet;
Drew Liu, Executive Director of the China Strategic Institute in Washington, D.C;
and many others.
The following review of Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion, is authored by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat.
Photo: A Khamba rider at a horseback riding festival in Eastern Tibet
Some remarkable scenes draw out our compassion for the Tibetan people and their ongoing ordeals under Chinese Communist oppression since the so-called "peaceful liberation" of the country in 1949.
Pre-occupation Tibet was a Buddhist theocracy, a country that invested 85% of its national budget to support monastic universities where monks and nuns studied the nature of the mind. That would be the equivalent, notes Robert Thurman, of the entire U.S. defence budget going into education so as to produce "enlightened people." Because the monasteries also controlled the land, when the Chinese invaded, the religious establishment was targeted for destruction.
The opening sequence uses rare archival and undercover footage to cover the Lhasa demonstrations of 1987 during which the monk Jampa Tenzinm was severely burned while rescuing some of his peers from a burning police station where they were being detained. He was hailed as a hero for his courage and witness at the time, but he was eventually arrested by the Chinese, tortured, and killed.
Photo: Jampa Tenzin after rescuing demonstrations from a burning police station during a demonstration against Chinese rule in 1987 (Ackerly/ICT)
Then there is the little known story of the CIA's support of the Tibetan resistance movement, which is told by activists who were trained by in the United States but later were abandoned when the world's democratic leader set up trade relations with China and downplayed human rights violations in both Tibet and China. Once again economic priorities defined American interest.
Two survivors of years of imprisonment and torture by the Chinese share their stories. One is Ani Pachen, the daughter of a chieftan in eastern Tibet who recalls fondly her childhood in pre-occupation Tibet. She took vows as a nun but after her father's death led his forces against the Chinese. She spent 21 years in prison and was only one of four survivors of 100 women in her prison. She shows a quilt she has stitched together out of pieces of their clothing.
Photo: A demonstration by a Chinese Army unit at a Tibetan festival
Equally mesmerising is the account of Palden Gyatso, a monk who was captured in a crackdown after the Dalai Lama escaped; he spent 33 years in a series of prisons, labor camps, and various forms of house arrest. After enduring years of brutal torture, including the use electric cattle prods in his mouth, this monk fled to India. He has testified before the U.S. Congress and the U.N. Commission on Human Rights.
Still, to date, the United Nations has done nothing to challenge China's illegal and immoral occupation of Tibet.
Photo: Tibetan monks parade past Chinese soldiers at a festival in central Tibet
Of course, the Dalai Lama remains the most persuasive spokesperson for the plight of his people. Again and again, he emphasises that he holds no hatred in his heart for the Chinese oppressors, and in fact, sees them as teachers who spur him to the spiritual practice of compassion.
The Dalai Lama's "Five Point Peace Plan" has been well received by devotees of nonviolence. Tibet is strategically located between the two most populous countries in the world, China and India, so his proposal that the area become a demilitarized "Zone of Peace" seems both creative and sound.
But although the Chinese have rebuilt several monasteries — after destroying 1,600 of them — they are still trying to obliterate any memory of the Dalai Lama: it is a major offence in Tibet today to possess a picture of him. And as a Chinese government spokesperson at the Washington, D.C., Embassy of the People's Republic of China puts it: "It is totally unacceptable to the Chinese government for officials of any country to meet him in any form."
Photo: The Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989
China's latest method of stamping out Tibetan religion and culture is the construction of a railroad that will accelerate populating the area with ethnic Chinese. The documentary reveals how these new immigrants have already changed the face of Lhasa with large apartment complexes, brothels, and Western chain stores.
The Chinese policy of colonization and assimilation looks very similar to what officials and politicians did to the Native Americans in the United States and the aboriginals in Australia. As this documentary points out, many Tibetans now live in poverty and are unemployed. With their religion and culture under attack, they have little to cling to except hope that one day they will be free to determine their own future.
We were moved, shocked, appalled, and emboldened by Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion.
Photo: A group of exiled Tibetan monks at a candlelight vigil in Dharamsala, India
The tradition of nonviolence, optimism, mind training, and compassion that has been nurtured in Tibetan monasteries for centuries is one of the great religious legacies to the world where violence, nationalism, political oppression, human rights violations, and corporate greed hold sway.
The bodhissatva spirit incarnated by the Dalai Lama and so many Tibetan monks is a path that can end the suffering of human beings and quash the fires of hatred. Robert Thurman has called the Tibetan Buddhists "the supreme artists of life," and they are spreading their dharma all over the face of the earth.
The documentary is written by Sue Peosay and Victoria Mudd, narrated by Martin Sheen and produced by Tom Peosay and Sue Peosay of Zambuling Pictures, and Maria Florio and Victoria Mudd of Earthworks Films.
Florio and Mudd won the Best Documentary Feature Academy Award in 1986 for their film Broken Rainbow, which exposed the shameful forced relocation of Navajo Indians off their land in the 1970s.
They hope that, just as their previous film raised the awareness and compassion of Americans toward the plight of the Native Americans, this film will raise the concerns of Chinese about the actions of their government.
Tags: Tibet China Snow Lion movie review dharma human rights Dalai Lama Buddha
Movie review
Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion is an extraordinary documentary about the near-destruction of an enlightened 1,700 year old culture, the incredible suffering of a violated people, and the spiritual survival of hope in the hearts of those who believe that one day they will be able to re-taste the joys of freedom.
The film is bound to stir your conscience, appeal to your yearning for justice, and inspire you to do all you can to advance the cause of the Tibetan people.
Photo: A fresco of Buddha defaced by a bullet hole at temple ruins in central Tibet
Director and cinematographer Tom Peosay spent ten years on this vast and substantive project shot on "the rooftop of the world."
Interviews provide both historical and contemporary perspectives on the situation in Tibet, including commentaries by:
His Holiness the Dalai Lama;
Lhasang Tserling, founder of the Amnye Machen Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies;
Robert Thurman, Director of Tibet House in New York City;
John Avedon, author of In Exile from the Land of Snows;
Stephen Batchelor, Buddhist scholar and author;
Robert Ford, author of Wind Between the Worlds and one of the few westerners to have lived in pre-Chinese Tibet;
Blake Kerr, author of Sky Burial: An Eyewitness Account of China's Brutal Crackdown in Tibet;
Drew Liu, Executive Director of the China Strategic Institute in Washington, D.C;
and many others.
The following review of Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion, is authored by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat.
Photo: A Khamba rider at a horseback riding festival in Eastern Tibet
Some remarkable scenes draw out our compassion for the Tibetan people and their ongoing ordeals under Chinese Communist oppression since the so-called "peaceful liberation" of the country in 1949.
Pre-occupation Tibet was a Buddhist theocracy, a country that invested 85% of its national budget to support monastic universities where monks and nuns studied the nature of the mind. That would be the equivalent, notes Robert Thurman, of the entire U.S. defence budget going into education so as to produce "enlightened people." Because the monasteries also controlled the land, when the Chinese invaded, the religious establishment was targeted for destruction.
The opening sequence uses rare archival and undercover footage to cover the Lhasa demonstrations of 1987 during which the monk Jampa Tenzinm was severely burned while rescuing some of his peers from a burning police station where they were being detained. He was hailed as a hero for his courage and witness at the time, but he was eventually arrested by the Chinese, tortured, and killed.
Photo: Jampa Tenzin after rescuing demonstrations from a burning police station during a demonstration against Chinese rule in 1987 (Ackerly/ICT)
Then there is the little known story of the CIA's support of the Tibetan resistance movement, which is told by activists who were trained by in the United States but later were abandoned when the world's democratic leader set up trade relations with China and downplayed human rights violations in both Tibet and China. Once again economic priorities defined American interest.
Two survivors of years of imprisonment and torture by the Chinese share their stories. One is Ani Pachen, the daughter of a chieftan in eastern Tibet who recalls fondly her childhood in pre-occupation Tibet. She took vows as a nun but after her father's death led his forces against the Chinese. She spent 21 years in prison and was only one of four survivors of 100 women in her prison. She shows a quilt she has stitched together out of pieces of their clothing.
Photo: A demonstration by a Chinese Army unit at a Tibetan festival
Equally mesmerising is the account of Palden Gyatso, a monk who was captured in a crackdown after the Dalai Lama escaped; he spent 33 years in a series of prisons, labor camps, and various forms of house arrest. After enduring years of brutal torture, including the use electric cattle prods in his mouth, this monk fled to India. He has testified before the U.S. Congress and the U.N. Commission on Human Rights.
Still, to date, the United Nations has done nothing to challenge China's illegal and immoral occupation of Tibet.
Photo: Tibetan monks parade past Chinese soldiers at a festival in central Tibet
Of course, the Dalai Lama remains the most persuasive spokesperson for the plight of his people. Again and again, he emphasises that he holds no hatred in his heart for the Chinese oppressors, and in fact, sees them as teachers who spur him to the spiritual practice of compassion.
The Dalai Lama's "Five Point Peace Plan" has been well received by devotees of nonviolence. Tibet is strategically located between the two most populous countries in the world, China and India, so his proposal that the area become a demilitarized "Zone of Peace" seems both creative and sound.
But although the Chinese have rebuilt several monasteries — after destroying 1,600 of them — they are still trying to obliterate any memory of the Dalai Lama: it is a major offence in Tibet today to possess a picture of him. And as a Chinese government spokesperson at the Washington, D.C., Embassy of the People's Republic of China puts it: "It is totally unacceptable to the Chinese government for officials of any country to meet him in any form."
Photo: The Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989
China's latest method of stamping out Tibetan religion and culture is the construction of a railroad that will accelerate populating the area with ethnic Chinese. The documentary reveals how these new immigrants have already changed the face of Lhasa with large apartment complexes, brothels, and Western chain stores.
The Chinese policy of colonization and assimilation looks very similar to what officials and politicians did to the Native Americans in the United States and the aboriginals in Australia. As this documentary points out, many Tibetans now live in poverty and are unemployed. With their religion and culture under attack, they have little to cling to except hope that one day they will be free to determine their own future.
We were moved, shocked, appalled, and emboldened by Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion.
Photo: A group of exiled Tibetan monks at a candlelight vigil in Dharamsala, India
The tradition of nonviolence, optimism, mind training, and compassion that has been nurtured in Tibetan monasteries for centuries is one of the great religious legacies to the world where violence, nationalism, political oppression, human rights violations, and corporate greed hold sway.
The bodhissatva spirit incarnated by the Dalai Lama and so many Tibetan monks is a path that can end the suffering of human beings and quash the fires of hatred. Robert Thurman has called the Tibetan Buddhists "the supreme artists of life," and they are spreading their dharma all over the face of the earth.
The documentary is written by Sue Peosay and Victoria Mudd, narrated by Martin Sheen and produced by Tom Peosay and Sue Peosay of Zambuling Pictures, and Maria Florio and Victoria Mudd of Earthworks Films.
Florio and Mudd won the Best Documentary Feature Academy Award in 1986 for their film Broken Rainbow, which exposed the shameful forced relocation of Navajo Indians off their land in the 1970s.
They hope that, just as their previous film raised the awareness and compassion of Americans toward the plight of the Native Americans, this film will raise the concerns of Chinese about the actions of their government.
Tags: Tibet China Snow Lion movie review dharma human rights Dalai Lama Buddha
ME AND OPHELIA
This is the personal blog of Ingrid Jones.
I live by the sea in Dorset, England, United Kingdom.
Here on my PowerBook G4 I communicate to my friends.
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