Posted on 10/17/2004 10:57:14 PM PDT by Pikamax
Kerry outraged at Bush's 'toothless' response to Darfur AFP: 10/17/2004 FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, Oct 17 (AFP) - Democratic nominee John Kerry on Sunday castigated President George W. Bush for a "toothless" response to the Darfur crisis, and promised to stop the "genocide" if he was elected president.
In a sharp statement issued as he landed for a campaign stop in Florida, Kerry called for tough United Nations sanctions against Sudan's government and more US humanitarian aid for the crisis-torn region.
"Months ago, I urged the president to call the crisis in Darfur, Sudan, by its rightful name: genocide," the statement said.
"The Bush administration finally did so in September, but shamefully it has done nothing effective to halt this genocide. Words without deeds are meaningless especially when people are dying every day."
"Rarely have the costs of the Bush Administrations inaction and failed leadership been clearer.
"What has been President Bushs response? Toothless US-sponsored UN Security Council resolutions.
"These empty threats serve mainly to embolden the Khartoum government and underscore the administrations loss of international moral authority," Kerry said.
The timing of Kerry's intervention may be seen as a bid to win favour among African-American voters in Florida. The community votes Democrat by a large majority, but is counted upon for a huge turnout on election day to sway a knife edge race in the state.
At a rally in Florida shortly after flying in from Ohio on Sunday, Kerry paid tribute to African-American voters for forcing issues like genocide in Darfur and Haiti's plight onto the political agenda.
Kerry's unexpected foreign policy foray came a day after Bush signed into law a bill requiring the State Department to monitor global anti-Semitism and rate countries annually on their treatment of Jews.
The timing of Bush's signature on a day he visited Florida was seen as an appeal to large numbers of Jewish voters in the state, who Republicans hope to court with his strong support of Israel.
Kerry argued that the administration's humanitarian aid for the people of Darfur had amounted only to a "band-aid" on genocide and called for tough sanctions on the Sudanese government in Khartoum.
"If the UN refuses to act, we will lead our partners outside the Security Council to sanction Khartoum, just as we did the apartheid government of South Africa," he said.
"As President, I will restore US moral authority and leadership in the international community.
"I will not substitute words for deeds in the face of genocide. I will do what is necessary to halt the genocide and punish its perpetrators."
Kerry's statement came as leaders from Sudan and four other nations held talks in Libya on the crisis, but rebel groups left on the sidelines feared Khartoum was seeking only to ease international pressure.
The UN's World Health Organisation recently charged that 70,000 civilians had died in camps from disease and malnutrition since March, a figure which Khartoum disputes.
Kerry for President of Darfur!!!
Teresa took it away from him?
Kerry leaves mistakes and gaffes like breadcrumbs.
Anyone with an open mind can see this guy has no, none, nada convictions at all. He will say and do anything.
How many more days til Kerry's remarks do not make headlines?
Man, this takes "flip-flop" to a whole nother level. But hey, it's pretty solid ground - the UN has passed several resolutions and we ought to feel justified in sending in troops...oh, wait a minute, that was Iraq, wasn't it? Never mind...
Odd Kerry, very Odd Kerry
Gee, why don't I recall reading this before:
"The Bush administration finally did so in September, but shamefully it has done nothing effective to halt this genocide. Words without deeds are meaningless especially when people are dying every day."
"Rarely have the costs of the Clinton Administrations inaction and failed leadership been clearer.
"What has been President Clinton's response? Toothless US-sponsored UN Security Council resolutions.
"These empty threats serve mainly to embolden the Iraqi government and underscore the administrations loss of international moral authority," Kerry said.
For that matter, according to JF'nK, it would have been better to persue toothless UN Security Council resolutions against Iraq, but in the case of Sudan, we should act unilaterally.
God, how I hate a panderer . . .
Who's John Kerry?
Sounds like one of the things Kerry said about Iraq.
Mr Macho Kerry is about as threatening as tits on a bore hog.
Speaking of porcelain veneers....
Kerry's dog ate his Global Test.
Two words: Jerk oof!
Hey John, we are building a real coalition - it takes time you know...
And we mustn't rush to war...
Statement By The President on Violence in Darfur, Sudan
The United States is appalled by the violence in Darfur, Sudan. Our government has led the international effort to end the suffering there by speaking clearly about the crisis and sending assistance to the suffering. We have provided more than $211 million in aid and humanitarian relief, and we will provide an additional $250 million. To end the conflict, we helped broker a cease-fire and worked closely with the African Union to deploy monitors and soldiers to investigate violations.
I sent Secretary of State Powell to Darfur and Khartoum to demand that the Sudanese Government act to end the violence. We sponsored a strong Security Council Resolution, which passed on July 30. This resolution called on the Government to disarm the Jinjaweed militias which have terrorized the people of Darfur, and bring their leaders to justice. Secretary Powell later sent a team of investigators into the refugee camps to interview the victims of atrocities. As a result of these investigations and other information, we have concluded that genocide has taken place in Darfur. We urge the international community to work with us to prevent and suppress acts of genocide. We call on the United Nations to undertake a full investigation of the genocide and other crimes in Darfur.
The Government of Sudan has not complied with UN Security Council resolutions, and has not respected the cease-fire which it signed. The rebels are also guilty of cease-fire violations and failing to carry out past commitments. It is clear that only outside action can stop the killing. My government is seeking a new Security Council Resolution to authorize an expanded African Union security force to prevent further bloodshed. We will also seek to ban flights by Sudanese military aircraft in Darfur.
The world cannot ignore the suffering of more than one million people. The U.S. will continue to help relieve suffering, as we demand that the Jinjaweed disarm, and that the Government, Jinjaweed, and Darfur rebels end the violence
Wasn't it just yesterday that we were told that there was no Genocide in Dafur and that Bush was just a war monger and trying to start trouble? AND wasn't it Kerry who said that? Seems to me it was. Does he think people forget what he says day to day? Just because he can't remember what he says doesn't mean the rest of us forger..
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