Powell Says Genocide Has Occurred in Darfur

[allemand]

By George Gedda
The Associated Press
Thursday, September 9, 2004; 9:56 AM

Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday the abuses committed by government-supported Arab militias in Sudan qualify as genocide against the black African population in the Darfur region -- a determination that should bring pressure to bear on the government to rein them in.

In remarks prepared for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Powell said conclusion was based on interviews conducted with refugees from the Darfur violence as well as other evidence.

"We concluded that genocide has been committed in Darfur and that the government of Sudan and the jinjaweed (Arab militias) bear responsibility -- and genocide may still be occurring," the secretary said in his prepared remarks.

He said that as a contracting party to an international genocide convention, Sudan is obliged to prevent and punish acts of genocide.

More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8364-2004Sep9.html

[allemand]

1. BBC: "It means the US may have a legal obligation to act"

Powell finds genocide in Darfur

The US Secretary of State Colin Powell has said the killings in Sudan's Darfur region constitute genocide.

Speaking before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mr Powell said the conclusion was based on interviews with Sudanese refugees.

The word is significant as it means the US may have a legal obligation to act.

The United Nations Security Council is meeting on Thursday to discuss whether to pass another resolution to pressure Sudan to resolve the Darfur conflict.

More:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3641820.stm

[Robbien]

5. Wonder if Powell had permission to use that word

We are now legally compelled to do something about the situation.

Hmmmmmmm.

[gottaB]

6. the proposed no-fly zone could save many lives

The AU will not be able to enforce that. A successful ban on Sudanese military flights in Darfur might largely depend upon cooperation with the French.

Of course the AU must be able to enforce the agreed upon ceasefire, thereby removing any possible justification for the government of Sudan to use airpower.

[Drifter]

27. Does that mean that they found Oil there ?

Cheers
Drifter

[samtob]

37. Just another resolution...

They can pass resolution after resolution, people will continue to die.

Resolutions by the UN are supposed to mean something to these people? Why doesn't the UN actually DO SOMETHING! They have known about this as long as we have. Makes me sick.

[reorg]

39. the UN are doing a lot

more than people going to message boards whining about the bad bad things that happen in this world.

[samtob]

40. sorry

Was not aware discussing ("whining") atrocities ("bad bad things") had to be cleared (through you?) first. Thought this was a discussion forum....

[goodboy]

2. Why has it taken so long to get to this point? eom

[wildflower]

3. I know...we have known this for how long? I guess it isn't news until it

has been officially approved as news by him.

-wildflower

[AspenRose]

11. That's what I was thinking

Well good morning, Colin! Nice to see you're up and alert with current events in the world. Took you long enough. :eyes:

[gratuitous]

4. It's too bad our military can't respond

They seem to have other obligations right now that will prevent them from intervening in the Sudan. Who's the genius that sent them off on a wild goose chase?

[RivetJoint]

14. We have enough troops to respond in Sudan

PLus the Europeans would be shamed into helping as well. This, IMHO, would be a GOOD use of military resources.

[gratuitous]

22. Odd, then

That so many folks eligible to be rotated out of Iraq are being retained, and that the military is sending so many Guard and Reserve troops to replenish the dead and wounded there. But if you say there's a huge complement of troops all ready to head off to the Sudan, who am I to argue?

[lazarus]

29. We don't remotely have enough troops

Unless we're pulling out of Iraq.

Sending in just a few troops is what Bush41 did in Somalia.

[gratuitous]

36. Well, RivetJoint seems pretty sure

Although I don't know that there's any independent support for that statement, but as I said, who am I to argue that we have battalions of troops just waiting and ready to be dispatched?

[madrchsod]

7. who`s this powell guy?

is this the same guy that used to run the ...what was it called???? oh yes-the state department. someone must have told him-"colin, since you`re black ,take care of this...but don`t promise anything"

[Catfight]

9. Since when does Powell care about doing what is right? Powell

doesn't care about black people anymore than Bush does. He sent his brothers to die for nothing in Iraq and he still sleeps like a baby. He stood behind Bush while he cut AIDS funding for Africa, so if Powell wants to start relieving his conscious, he should have started when he had the chance to tell the truth and OUT Bush's illegal war. I have no respect for Powell or anyone who works for Bush and doesn't call him out!

[gottaB]

8. Powell's written remarks to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

http://allafrica.com/stories/200409090553.html

[GOPAgainstGW]

10. Interesting, some Int’l Media Says U.S. doing same to Iraqi Citizens

[The_Casual_Observer]

12. And nothing about the genocide in Iraq??

[gottaB]

13. And nothing about the moon being made of green cheese?!?

[DulceDecorum]

15. There is no oil

in green cheese.
Sudan, fortunately, DOES have oil.

[gottaB]

16. in the battle of non sequiturs, I concede

[seemslikeadream]

20. Christian Pharisees target China, Sudan

Executive Intelligence Review, July 4, 1997, p. 83

On June 23, a gaggle activists ranging from the "religious right" and neo-con networks, to liberal Democrats, held a summit on religious persecution overseas. The meeting, held at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., was to organize a grassroots, church-based movement to target certain nations allegedly persecuting religious minorities. These people are no more interested in protecting religious freedom, than the 1980s' Project Democracy was intended to promote democracy. A look at one of the leading participants, Christian Solidarity International (CSI), shows clearly that what is being organized is a grassroots mob to cover for the foreign policy of the British oligarchy: the destruction of nation-states. The whipping boys for these modern Pharisees are the two premier nation-states of the developing sector, Sudan and China.



The meeting included the London-controlled Freedom House of Leo Cherne (chairman of the Reagan-Bush President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board), the Family Research Council of Gary Bauer (another specimen from the Reagan-Bush White House), Father Richard Newhouse, a radical epigone of Michael Novak, Michael Horowitz from the Hudson Institute, CSI's Jim Jacobson, Ralph Reed of the Christian Coalition, and another Catholic radical free-trader, William Bennett of Empower America, among other cheer- leaders for the "Contract on America." The odd Democrat made for ecumenical window-dressing, including co-chair Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.). The event was sponsored by Empower America, and co-chaired by Bennett.



Nina Shea of Freedom House opened the gathering, with a broadside against Sudan, which is de rigueur for any meeting involving Lady Caroline Cox's Christian Solidarity International. Cox is making a career of trying to overthrow the Sudanese government, under cover of saving Christians, and is currently organizing logistical support for Sudanese rebels who, under her influence, have refused to join the government-initiated peace treaty to end the decades-long civil war. Along with Lady Lynda Chalker, Cox is also organizing support for the Ethiopian and Eritrean allies of Ugandan dictator Yoweri Museveni, who are currently attempting to invade Sudan.



Shea's diatribe, a catalogue from her book In the Lion's Den, of hideous allegations of torture, genocide, and enslavement of Christians, made no mention of Sudan's civil war, which was set up by the departing British colonialists between the predominantly Muslim north and the Christian-animist south. Nor did Shea mention the peace efforts between Khartoum and most of the southern rebel groups, culminating in April in the historic signing of a peace treaty-following which Cox's operations were stepped up. Nor did Shea mention that TO miles from Sudan's southern border, in Congo- Zaire, the unparalleled slaughter has cost the lives of at least half a million Rwandan Hutu refugees and of opponents of Laurent Kabila and his backers in Kampala and London.



Sudan has earned itself pride of place on Britain's imperial enemies list (it is the only former British colony that is not a member of the Commonwealth), because of its fight against colonialism and resistance to the International Monetary Fund predators.

more
http://216.239.41.104/search?q=cache:CmgKgb1Ci5EJ:www.aboutsudan.com/opposition/us/christian_pharisees.htm+Christian+Solidarity+International+bush&hl=en

[Character Assassin]

23. Hack writers with agendas misrepresent and avoid facts.

There have been two civil wars in the Sudan. While an argument can be made in regards to the first one, the second one, arguable still going on, was a direct result of Nimeiri announcing in 1983 the incorporation of traditional Islamic punishments drawn from Shari’a into the penal code, and that Southerners and non-Muslims would be subject to it.

Nor did Shea mention the peace efforts between Khartoum and most of the southern rebel groups, culminating in April in the historic signing of a peace treaty-following which Cox's operations were stepped up.

Why would anyone mention Khartoum's peace 'efforts'? They are demonstrably as cosmetic as their current denial of their support of militias in the Dafur region. In any case, no peace treaty was signed, and the author is being dishonest. What was signed were three protocols that may (or may not) eventually lead to a comprehensive peace treaty. It would theoretically account for six years of autonomy for southern Sudan, and then follow with a referendum on the political future of the region.

The situation is not nearly so simplistic as the article you link to tries to indicate.

[seemslikeadream]

24. Sorry I didn't mean to imply that, I certainly know it's not SIMPLISTIC

Sudan: U.S. to smash us like Iraq
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=807064
Villagers burned alive in Sudan atrocity
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=712340
Sudan accuses Bush of exploiting Darfur crisis for election campaign
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=707785
U.S. Disappointed on Sudanese Attitude to Darfur
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=655817
The Dogs of War
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=125&topic_id=9558&mesg_id=9558
Evangelicals Urge Bush To Do More for Sudan
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=724422
U.S. Official Warns of 1 Million Deaths in Sudan
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=653497
War in Western Sudan Threatens to Destroy Hopes for Peace in African Nation
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=418111
Chad Says 43 Militants Killed in Fighting
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=418049
Mass rape atrocity in west Sudan
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=432225
Arab leaders killed by Sudan insurgents
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=441538
Congo Signs $332 Million Mineral Deal
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=442682
Sudan Arrests 17 in Alleged Coup Plot
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=455809
US outsources its anti-terror war
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=460500
Powell visits refugee camp victims of Darfur crisis
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=656286
Sudan: Rebels pose as Janjaweed in Darfur (Aljazeera)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=725836
International Medical Experts Urge End to Child Executions
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=798928
Sudan arrests 14 Islamists for sabotage plot
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=810050
US threatens sanctions on Sudanese oil
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=810761
It was just something I was talking to Dulcey about earlier, excuse me.

[goclark]

17. These are YOUR people Colon so what are

you going to do about it!

You can send us to war to save Saddam's people and will wimp out for OUR people.

STAND UP for a change!

[seemslikeadream]

25. Find job he did in Haiti! Remember this Colin?

Emergency Haiti summit tomorrow
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=392820
U.S.-Sponsored Regime Change in Haiti
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=394294
Coup d'etat dismays Haitian community
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=396824
Powell and Aide Questioned on Haiti by Panel's Skeptics
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=398215
Caribbean countries ask for investigation into Aristide resignation and re
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=397673
Press Release from Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Haiti
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=399010
Rep. Maxine Waters Says Aristide Is Being Held Like a Prisoner
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=399141
HAITI -- (Senate - March 04, 2004) Senator Leahy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=401256
THE SITUATION IN HAITI -- (Senate - March 04, 2004)Harkin
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=401107
Haitians hail rebel troops
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=395091
Denying Haiti's Refugees
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=403680
Large protest in Haiti focuses on role of U.S.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=403652
Haiti's problems spill over into U.S. presidential race
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=403660
Black Caucus backs Caricom's call for Haiti probe
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=403773

[seemslikeadream]

26. OR THIS MR. POWELL

Rebel Says He's New Haiti Military Chief
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=403704
Foreign troops brace for protests in Haiti
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=404441
Fears of rising violence in capital
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=404942
Aristide's guest privileges pared in exile
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=403086
SA weapons sent to Haiti
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=405668
Before fall of Aristide, Haiti hit by aid cutoff
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=405656
Aristide's Final Hours
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=404980
Haiti’s brutal history largely of our making
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=406215
Haitian Rebels Say They Won't Disarm Yet
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=404965
Arms control body rejects DA's claims - Haiti
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=407345
Haiti's Aristide Calls for Peaceful Resistance by Supporters, AFP Says
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=407238
U.S. delegation meets with President Aristide / details of coup
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=410969
Lee proposes Haiti commission
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=413019
Congressional News Conference Meeting with Former Haitan President
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=417415
U.S. Troops Hunt for Gunmen in Haiti
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=425746
U.S. Says Aristide Visit to Jamaica 'Not Helpful'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=425798
Aristide Back in Caribbean Heat, Haitian Details 'Coup' by U.S.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=424779
Haiti's New Leader Said to Pick Cabinet, Shunning Politicians
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=427564
Venezuela offers Aristide refuge
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=425994
Probing U.S. ties to Haiti coup
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=427579
U.S. furious at Jamaica for embrace of Aristide
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=432236
Criminal Case Against Aristide Planned in Haiti
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=434520

[seemslikeadream]

34. Colin why did you sit on your hands?

Threats to Aristide supporters
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=433501
Missionaries murdered - Uganda
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=435718
Top U.S. officer tells Aristide to keep quiet
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=432891
Five young men murdered in Port-au-Prince slum
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=437178
Haiti: Security Vacuum in the North
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=438010
Human rights group says Haiti's new leader in 'unholy alliance' with rebel
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=438432
Looters teach Haiti a harsh lesson
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=439270
Police, former rebels clash in northern Haiti
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=439227
Aristide's ex-security chief faces drug charge
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=439089

[seemslikeadream]

35. dupe

[GOPAgainstGW]

18. Colin Knows All About It-He Covered up Vietnam My Lai Massacre in'68!

when he was a Major in the Army in Nam. True and very well documented!

------------------------------
Beltway and Texas Republicans
Against Bush-Cheney ’04, Inc.
------------------------------
"Insider’s News”, Vol 1 - Kerry-Edwards Campaign Doing Well
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x748458
“Insider’s News” Vol 1.1 - Great Anti-Bush Sites
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x756409

[allemand]

21. Sorry, but there is no connection between Powell and the My Lai cover-up

Powell was in charge of investigating a letter that described abuses in general terms ("no reference to any particular place or any time or any date or any particular unit"). The letter doesn't describe what happened in My Lai.
Powell should be criticized for the way he handled that investigation, but he was not "in charge of investigating My Lai".

In his article "Colin Powell's Vietnam Fog" David Corn writes:

"Powell has never been implicated in any of the wrongdoing involving My Lai. No evidence ties him to the attempted cover-up. But he was part of an institution (and a division) that tried hard to keep the story of My Lai hidden--a point unacknowledged in his autobiography. Moreover, several months before he was interviewed by Sheehan, Powell was ordered to look into allegations made by another former GI that US troops had "without provocation or justification" killed civilians. (These charges did not mention My Lai specifically.) Powell mounted a most cursory examination. He did not ask the accuser more specific information. He interviewed a few officers and reported to his superiors that there was nothing to the allegations . This exercise is not mentioned in his memoirs."

http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml%3Fi=20010514&s=corn20010502

[reorg]

28. reminiscent of goings-on in Darfur

... Powell still has no compunction about killing civilians during war. The lefty media watchdog Fairness & Accuracy In Media points out that in his 1995 autobiography, My American Journey: An Autobiography (New York: Random House, 1995), Powell wrote: "If a helo spotted a peasant in black pajamas who looked remotely suspicious, a possible MAM , the pilot would circle and fire in front of him. If he moved, his movement was judged evidence of hostile intent, and the next burst was not in front, but at him. Brutal? Maybe so. But an able battalion commander with whom I had served at Gelnhausen, Lt. Col. Walter Pritchard, was killed by enemy sniper fire while observing MAMs from a helicopter. And Pritchard was only one of many. The kill-or-be-killed nature of combat tends to dull fine perceptions of right and wrong." In his memoirs, Powell also defends the torching of civilians' huts, a tactic his unit constantly employed in Vietnam. ...

http://www.disinfo.com/archive/pages/dossier/id803/pg1/

[allemand]

33. And that is exactly what is happening in Iraq now

"The kill-or-be-killed nature of combat tends to dull fine perceptions of right and wrong."

The best argument against any war.

[lazarus]

30. Then he

participated in the cover up of other war crimes. And "he was part of an institution (and a division) that tried hard to keep the story of My Lai hidden." That's bad enough.

[samtob]

38. Source please

Sounds like interesting reading.

[seemslikeadream]

19. Colin Powell is “the most powerful and damaging black to rise to influence

“The deed is done. Haiti has been raped. The act was sanctioned by the United States, Canada and France.” – Editorial, Jamaica Observer

Colin Powell is “the most powerful and damaging black to rise to influence in the world in my lifetime.” – TransAfrica founder Randall Robinson

''All the people that supported will be dead in three months.'' – Haiti government attorney Ira Kurzban

The new order congeals like blood on the streets of Port-au-Prince. Haiti’s dance of death begins anew, a convergence of low-life assassins, high-living compradors, preening French imperialists and global American pirates – an unspeakable bacchanal


“I am the chief,” declares Guy Philippe, the 36-year-old, Green Beret-trained, three-time coup-meister and sometime police chief. “The country is in my hands.”

Not really. Haiti is in the same American and French hands that snatched President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to the Central African Republic – an involuntary destination on its face, where a French-approved military dictator sits in a palace that he seized from an elected President precisely one year ago. Pleased with the finesse of the "perfect coordination" between Paris and Washington, French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin no doubt savors the grotesque, near-symmetric poetry of this joint venture in international piracy, in which Aristide is transported from the site of one coup to another.

“The niceties of democracy were thrown out the window, and the matters of principle so vigorously defended by President Chirac and Foreign Minister de Villepin over Iraq were quickly shunted aside,” said the Jamaica Observer in a March 1 editorial. “And new Canadians went with the flow.” The Caribbean Community must understand, “if they thought otherwise,” that “democratically-elected leaders are easily expendable if they, at a particular time, do not fit the profile in favor with those who are strong and powerful.”

more
http://www.blackcommentator.com/80/80_cover_haiti.html

[lazarus]

31. Somalia Redux?

Remember, Poppy Bush sent in a few token troops to get killed in Somalia, laying a nice egg that hatched under Clinton.

Is W planning a Sudan version for Kerry?

[Merlin]

32. Goot Got, Herr Himmler! Der is killings in der, yah?

I haf chust put on meing glasses. How long has dis bin goink on?