kristen in red

Email exchange with the White House

I wrote (through Save Darfur):

Dear President Bush, 

The JEM rebel attacks in Khartoum and the Sudanese government’s heavy-handed response demand your immediate attention. All parties must understand that there can be no violent solution to this revolving cycle of conflict.

The Sudanese government has a long history of using such attacks as an excuse for the indiscriminant killing of civilians in Darfur. These heinous new attacks - which took place not in Darfur but within Sudan’s capital city - could give the Sudanese government all the excuse it needs to unleash its forces against Darfuri civilians living in Khartoum as well as in Darfur.

The Save Darfur Coalition is already receiving reports that the Sudanese government is conducting arbitrary detentions, torture and killings in and around Khartoum, and that its proxy janjaweed militias are mobilizing and have begun to attack the town of Tawila in North Darfur. While the Sudanese regime has the right to defend itself, its indiscriminant targeting of civilians must not be allowed to go unanswered.

Mr. President, you and your fellow world leaders must immediately demand that the Sudanese government end all targeting of innocent Darfuri civilians in the wake of these attacks.

I therefore urge you to work at the U.N. Security Council to demand the protection of civilians throughout Sudan, and enact strong U.N. sanctions upon individuals responsible for any attacks upon civilians.

I further urge you to take urgent steps to speed up the deployment of the UNAMID peacekeeping force for Darfur by organizing a high-level UNAMID donor conference to secure contributions of all necessary funding and equipment, and by working with Secretary-General Ban to ensure that all preparations for UNAMID’s deployment are being made as swiftly as possible.

Sincerely,

Kristen Forbriger

Within 30 seconds, the lame response: 

On behalf of President Bush, thank you for your correspondence.

We appreciate hearing your views and welcome your suggestions.

Due to the large volume of e-mail received, the White House cannot respond to every message.

Thank you again for taking the time to write.

Horoscope: A gratifying day ahead!