Reply from Senator Coleman

July 22, 2004

Mr. Tom Clements
(Address removed)

Thank you for taking the time to contact me concerning the Darfur region in Sudan. I share your concern for the violence in the region and your desire to see an end to the four decades of conflict in Sudan that have claimed an estimated 2 million lives and displaced 3 million people. I applaud the intensive diplomatic efforts of the Bush Administration to find a lasting resolution to Sudan's crises, and I agree that we must press the Sudanese for more progress concerning Darfur in particular.

I recently sent a letter to the Administration urging the President to take steps to prevent the current crisis and to stop the atrocities being committed in Sudan. I followed that letter with another letter to Secretary Powell asking for additional funding for emergency assistance, an international monitoring operation and long-term aid for the affected people. My letter also urged the new U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations to pressure the U.N. Security Council to take action to prevent any further tragedy.

With my support, the Senate recently passed a concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 99) introduced by Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) condemning the Government of Sudan for its participation and complicity in the attacks against innocent civilians in the impoverished Darfur region of western Sudan. I also supported an amendment to the fiscal year 2005 Defense Appropriations bill to provide an additional $70 million in humanitarian aid to the Darfur region.

President Bush has called on the government of Sudan to "immediately stop local militias from committing atrocities against the local population and [to] provide unrestricted access to humanitarian aid agencies." U.S. officials have stressed that there will be no normalizing of relations between the U.S. and Sudan until the government addresses the humanitarian and security needs in Darfur.

I was pleased that on June 28, Secretary of State Colin Powell made a trip to Sudan to pressure the Sudanese government to stop the violence perpetuated by the militias. He received assurances from the Sudanese government that they will ease all restrictions on visas for humanitarian workers and make sure there is no interruption of humanitarian supplies or relief convoys. He received a specific commitment from the Sudanese government that they will use their police and military forces to disarm the militias and to provide security for the people. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan also made a visit to the Sudan to increase international pressure on Sudan to stop the crisis.

Because of Sudan's sponsorship of terrorism and violation of human rights, a range of sanctions are in place against Sudan. The U.S. has threatened to seek U.N. sanctions against Sudan if it does not cooperate with the international relief effort geared to the Darfur region. Further, the U.S. has called for a special session of the Commission on Human Rights to deal with Sudan, as well as, a strong resolution condemning the ongoing atrocities in Darfur.

Please know that as a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, I will continue to work toward lasting peace in Sudan and a halt to the crisis in Darfur.

Thank you once again for taking the time to contact me. I value your advice. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance to you.

Because of Sudan's sponsorship of terrorism and violation of human rights, a range of sanctions are in place against Sudan. The U.S. has threatened to seek U.N. sanctions against Sudan if it does not cooperate with the international relief effort geared to the Darfur region. Further, the U.S. has called for a special session of the Commission on Human Rights to deal with Sudan, as well as, a strong resolution condemning the ongoing atrocities in Darfur.

Please know that as a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, I will continue to work toward lasting peace in Sudan and a halt to the crisis in Darfur.

Thank you once again for taking the time to contact me. I value your advice. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance to you.