Frank Wolf: “the cries of suffering in Sudan are finally making the front pages of the paper, but only because the crisis has just…”

“the cries of suffering in Sudan are finally making the front pages of the paper, but only because the crisis has just become far greater than the world can ignore. The Sudanese Government has launched what many are calling its final offensive against the south, causing 100,000 refugees to flee to Uganda and leaving 2 million at risk of starvation as most relief operations are forced to curtail their life-giving relief work. This desperate situation fulfills the December prophesy of a long-term relief worker about the aftermath of such an offensive: It is most probable that virtually all Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) activity will be forced to shut down, and the government will insist that all relief work be carried out through their own channels. * * * Needless to say, this would be catastrophic for the people of the south, who at this time are extremely vulnerable and almost totally dependent upon the OLS pipeline aid. Deaths from starvation and sickness would dwarf anything we've seen in the past. I have been calling for the Clinton administration to appoint a special diplomatic envoy for peace-brokering. I still think this is important, and time is of the essence as each day counts. But, in addition, I believe the United States must press for immediate Security Council attention to this situation. While Sudan is not on the nightly news, many are dying. We must act now. Entire generations have been lost. An entire culture hangs in the balance.”