Senator Clinton Joins Bipartisan Call for President to Enforce Access to Humanitarian Aid in Darfur

May 7, 2007 -- Washington, DC - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today joined a bipartisan group of Senators and members of the House of Representatives in calling on President Bush to enforce the promise by the Sudanese government to facilitate humanitarian operations in Darfur. In a letter to President Bush, the members of Congress outlined their concerns about humanitarian workers' access to over two million displaced Darfurians and the need to enforce the Joint Communiqué agreement between the government of Sudan and the United Nations.

"The president must send a forceful message to the Sudanese government that it will not be allowed to continue violating the promise to support, protect and facilitate humanitarian operations in Darfur. Relief agencies and workers must be given access to the millions of Darfurians whose lives depend on international assistance and be able to provide aid without fear or insecurity," said Senator Clinton.

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The letter to the president clearly outlines the violations of the Joint Communiqué that was signed by the Sudanese government and the United Nations on March 28, 2007, which specifically detailed visa and work requirements to be followed by the Sudanese Humanitarian Affairs Commission. Additionally, the letter urges President Bush to use all resources necessary to ensure the Sudanese implement these requirements and reduce bureaucratic impediments to humanitarian aid.

Since 2004, Senator Clinton has called repeatedly for action in Darfur. Most recently, Senator Clinton joined a bipartisan group of Senators in sending a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao, calling for China to help end the crisis in Darfur. Senator Clinton also sent a letter to President Bush calling for greater action by the UN Security Council against Sudan. Additionally, Senator Clinton co-sponsored a resolution calling on the United States Government and the international community to develop, fund, and implement a comprehensive regional strategy in Africa to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian operations, contain and reduce violence, and contribute to conditions for sustainable peace in Darfur, as well as in eastern Chad and northern Central African Republic, and Darfur, Sudan (S.Res.76). S. Res. 76 passed the Senate earlier this month.

Source: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton