From: Marc Azar <marca_-at-_arobas.net>
To: NO WAR LIST <Nowar_-at-_list.nowar-paix.ca>
Date: Tue, 30 May 2006 11:23:23 -0400
http://www.embassymag.ca/html/index.php?display=story&full_path=/2006/may/24/darfur/
Embassy, May 24th, 2006
NEWS STORY
By Brian Adeba
PM Gives Millions to Aid Darfur
Statement falls short of committing troops
Prime Minister Stephen Harper yesterday announced at a press conference
on Parliament Hill that Canada will give $40 million in aid to Darfur.
The move comes after the signing of a peace deal between Darfur rebels
and the government of Sudan earlier this month in Nigeria.
Flanked by Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay and International
Cooperation Minister Josée Verner, Mr. Harper's press conference was
marred by a massive walkout of about 30 reporters who were protesting
moves by the prime minister's staffers to restrict them from asking
questions. Mr. Harper also refused to take questions from the two
reporters who didn't walk out.
Mr. Harper says the money will be used for the provision of humanitarian
aid and for supporting peace efforts in the troubled region.
"Combined these efforts will help to normalize and stabilize the region,
the first step necessary if the peace process is to succeed," Mr. Harper
said in a statement released by his office after the press conference.
The money will be disbursed through United Nations humanitarian
agencies, Canadian NGOs and the Red Cross. Half will be used to address
urgent humanitarian needs like food, water, sanitation and health care.
The other $20 million will be used in bolstering the African Union's
efforts in implementing the peace agreement and in facilitating a
transition to a UN mission.
Mr. Harper also reiterated Canada's support for the recent peace pact
between the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM)--the main rebel group in
Darfur--and the government of Sudan. Mr. Harper also stressed that
Canada will work with the UN, the African Union and the government of
Sudan to foster peace in Darfur.
An estimated 200,000 people have died as a result of the war and another
3 million have been displaced since fighting broke out in 2003. Last
month, the UN announced that it was cutting food rations in half for
thousands of Darfurians in displaced peoples camps both inside Sudan and
in neighbouring Chad. Darfurians will get 1,050 calories instead of
2,100 because of funding shortfalls, the UN said.
"I think it is a welcome deposit on the crisis in Darfur," says Keith
Martin, the Liberal Critic for international cooperation. But Mr. Martin
stresses that the Harper government must make sure that the money
reaches the needy in Darfur immediately.
"The money must get to the people not a year from now, not six months,
but now," says Mr. Martin, in an interview. He also says the prime
minister must work with the international community and "not put too
much stock in negotiating with the genocidal government in Khartoum,"
when dealing with any life saving process in Darfur.
"Mr. Harper must work with the international community to ensure a
Chapter 7 mission is on the ground and that is the only way to save
lives in Darfur."
Alexa McDonough, the NDP Critic for Foreign Affairs and International
Development, welcomes the announcement and attributed it to pressure
from her party in the House of Commons. However, she adds that it was
"disappointing" that Mr. Harper did not commit to the contribution of
troops to a UN mission in Darfur.
"There needs to be continuing pressure to a contribution that can only
be made by Canada's military," says Ms. McDonough, adding that the NDP
will keep pressuring the government to send troops to Darfur.
David Kilgour, former MP and a vocal advocate for Darfur, says he
welcomes Mr. Harper's announcement and hopes more aid will be announced
soon.
"It's a very good step in the right direction," says Mr. Kilgour, but
adds that Canada must pressure Khartoum to abide by the peace deal.
"To put it politely, there is an onus on the government of Sudan [to
say] this time things are going to be different," says Mr. Kilgour,
adding that Khartoum still refuses to issue travel permits to aid
workers and reporters travelling to Darfur.
Faiza Taha, the Sudanese ambassador to Canada, also lauds Mr. Harper's
statement for the "well-balanced" approach, but urges Canada to move
beyond humanitarian aid since peace has been achieved now.
"We are sure we can work together in a positive and constructive way and
we encourage Canadian investors to invest in the area," says Ms. Taha.
"The presence of foreign troops in Darfur shouldn't be a cause for
negativity but constructive dialogue."
brian@embassymag.ca
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