Powell finds genocide in Darfur region

Reuters, September 9, 2004

WASHINGTON, Sept 9 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Thursday genocide has occurred in the western Sudan region of Darfur and blamed the government of Sudan and the Janjaweed militias.

"We concluded that genocide has been committed in Darfur and that the government of Sudan and the Janjaweed bear responsibility and genocide may still be occurring," Powell said in testimony prepared for delivery to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

While U.S. officials have said a declaration of genocide does not impose significant legal obligations on them, the use of the term could influence the diplomatic debate as the U.N. Security Council weighs a U.S.-proposed resolution that threatens oil sanctions if Sudan does not stop the abuses.

"It doesn't automatically authorize force but it should change the dynamics of the negotiations," said Nina Bang-Jensen, director of the Coalition for International Justice, a nongovernmental group that conducted research on Darfur for the State Department.

"This is genocide," she said. "There is a moral and legal imperative to act."

Matthew Smith
Associate Director of Public Liaison
The White House
(202) 456-2380 phone
(202) 456-2130 fax