Political Quotes

“on December 31, the United Nations and the African Union jointly assumed control of the peacekeeping mission in Darfur. But, sadly, little has changed for the people of Darfur. The United Nations Security Council has authorized over 26,000 peacekeepers, but just over 9,000 are on the ground in Darfur. The government of Sudan had promised to abide by the United Nations resolution, but it continues to obstruct it at almost every turn. Some of the rebel leaders have begun to join in coalitions with one another, an important step for the peace process, but others continue to prey on civilians and humanitarian aid workers and to threaten peacekeepers. And the nations of the world had pledged to help end the genocide, but they are falling short where it counts. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon reports that no one has stepped up to provide the 24 helicopters that are needed to transport and protect the peacekeepers and to give them the mobility that they need to do their jobs. That is inexcusable. We cannot allow genocide and suffering to continue because the combined nations of the world cannot find 24 helicopters to help stop it. That is why today, joined by Senator Lugar and a number of other colleagues, I have introduced a resolution expressing the Sense of the Senate that the world must not allow this peacekeeping mission to founder because we cannot find 24 suitable aircraft within our vast arsenals.”