Annan Stresses Need for AID to Darfur

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today in Washington, D.C. called on the world community to do more to aid the people of Darfur, saying their human rights have been violated in the most "appalling" way, and describing the situation in that part of Sudan as an "inexcusable tragedy."

Speaking at George Washington University, in the first of a series of annual lectures on the United States-UN relationship, Mr. Annan also stressed the need for nations to work together to protect human rights and called on the US to be "fully engaged" in this effort despite the fact that Washington has decided not to stand for election to the new Human Rights Council.

"In theory at least, the UN's Member States took an important step last September, when they agreed that each state has the responsibility to protect its populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity," he said, referring to language on the issue adopted by the 2005 World Summit in its Outcome Document.

"But these fine words will ring hollow so long as people in Darfur are still being driven from their homes subjected to intolerable suffering."

Mr. Annan warned that more funds are required. "The humanitarian agencies urgently need financial support, and humanitarian workers need a more secure environment, if they are to reach those most in need of their help. It is therefore very urgent that all countries in a position to do so provide the African Union with the help it needs to augment and strengthen its force."

Mr. Annan highlighted the fact that because the AU force has neither the resources, equipment, nor mandate to "protect most of those whose lives are being threatened," the Union had decided in principle to support the transition to a UN peacekeeping operation, although he noted this would take time.

"Even in the best-case scenario, the AU will be expected to shoulder this immense challenge for several more months. It deserves the international community's help. The lives of the people of Darfur depend on it."

He also noted the "intensive efforts" going on to help the warring parties in Darfur reach a political agreement to end the violence, saying he still hoped that "within the next day or two" there could be an agreement embracing all parties and calling on each of them to "seize this opportunity...for the sake of their people who have suffered so much."

On the subject of human rights in general, Mr. Annan expressed his "regret" at the US decision not to stand in next Tuesday's elections for the newly established Human Rights Council, which replaced the much criticized Human Rights Commission, but said the US can still have "a great influence, both on the composition of the Council and on the decisions of its members once they are elected."

Mr. Annan expressed conviction that a wide spectrum of US society would make its views known. "I trust that Americans will be fully engaged in the debate. And by 'Americans' I mean not only the Administration but members of Congress, pressure groups like Human Rights Watch, and - not least - experts from great universities like this one. Now is the time for all who really care about human rights to be fully engaged."

Mr. Annan, who accepted an honorary degree from the University, also spoke of the global leadership role to be played by the US and said this was consistent with working with the UN, because the world body was "all about friends and allies working together, and about building coalitions. It is also about democracy."

"I see no hope of a peaceful and stable future for humanity in this century unless the United States provides strong and enlightened global leadership. But I do not believe the US can do this on its own."

"Never in history can humanity have faced so many challenges that affect not just one nation or region, but the whole human race; and which call for a global response. At such a time, international cooperation is not a choice. Nor is a global organization a luxury. They are necessities."

Source: United Nations

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