Any thoughts?
Our role in Sudan
http://www.canada.com/national/nati....html?id=31bbdd3a-16c2-4974-b49a-fb652651ebf0
National Post
Monday, July 26, 2004
Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister, has raised the spectre of military intervention in Sudan, where Khartoum's Islamist government has been waging war against blacks in the Darfur region. Included in this campaign of ethnic cleansing have been mass rapes, the destruction of villages and the barring of desperately needed aid from abroad. The conflict, now more than a year old, has killed thousands of people and displaced more than a million. Given the enormous humanitarian stakes, Mr. Blair's announcement is to be welcomed.
According to a report from London last week, the British PM has told the British Foreign Office to prepare plans for various contingencies, one being the use of force. Considering the leadership Mr. Blair demonstrated on Iraq, this should not be taken as an idle threat. Among the plans reported to be under consideration at Downing Street are the use of British soldiers to ensure aid is delivered to those in need, logistical support for an African Union force of monitors and protectors, and troop protection for refugee camps being assailed by Khartoum-backed militias. Mr. Blair is playing down the report, but won't rule anything out.
Aggressive foreign intervention appears to be a pre-requisite for an end to the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Sudan. While Khartoum has made the appearance of submitting to diplomatic pressure applied by the United States and other countries, it has yet to rein in the murderous militias. Moreover, the government -- led by a clique of Arab Islamists -- has waged a brutal two-decade-long war against non-Muslim African tribes in the southern part of the country. During this time, it has shown itself to be entirely indifferent to human suffering, even on such a scale as is unfolding in Darfur.
Britain is likely to play a central role in any military operation, and Canada should offer to support such a mission. Indeed, it is in line with the international role our current federal government has staked out for Canada. If the resources are there, Canada should go to Sudan. And if they aren't, that is perhaps the most compelling argument yet for refurbishing our badly rusting military.
Our role in Sudan
http://www.canada.com/national/nati....html?id=31bbdd3a-16c2-4974-b49a-fb652651ebf0
National Post
Monday, July 26, 2004
Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister, has raised the spectre of military intervention in Sudan, where Khartoum's Islamist government has been waging war against blacks in the Darfur region. Included in this campaign of ethnic cleansing have been mass rapes, the destruction of villages and the barring of desperately needed aid from abroad. The conflict, now more than a year old, has killed thousands of people and displaced more than a million. Given the enormous humanitarian stakes, Mr. Blair's announcement is to be welcomed.
According to a report from London last week, the British PM has told the British Foreign Office to prepare plans for various contingencies, one being the use of force. Considering the leadership Mr. Blair demonstrated on Iraq, this should not be taken as an idle threat. Among the plans reported to be under consideration at Downing Street are the use of British soldiers to ensure aid is delivered to those in need, logistical support for an African Union force of monitors and protectors, and troop protection for refugee camps being assailed by Khartoum-backed militias. Mr. Blair is playing down the report, but won't rule anything out.
Aggressive foreign intervention appears to be a pre-requisite for an end to the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Sudan. While Khartoum has made the appearance of submitting to diplomatic pressure applied by the United States and other countries, it has yet to rein in the murderous militias. Moreover, the government -- led by a clique of Arab Islamists -- has waged a brutal two-decade-long war against non-Muslim African tribes in the southern part of the country. During this time, it has shown itself to be entirely indifferent to human suffering, even on such a scale as is unfolding in Darfur.
Britain is likely to play a central role in any military operation, and Canada should offer to support such a mission. Indeed, it is in line with the international role our current federal government has staked out for Canada. If the resources are there, Canada should go to Sudan. And if they aren't, that is perhaps the most compelling argument yet for refurbishing our badly rusting military.
