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Tuesday, May 12, 2009

THE TRUTH REMAINS TO SET US FREE IN THE USA


THE DENIAL OF TRUTH


Human nature often includes the denial of truth because we are uncomfortable with the truth. So we live with our lies. Suppress our knowledge of truth.

WE SHALL REMAIN on TV PBS' American Experience
Five episodes about the indigenous people - the Native Americans

I finished watching all five episodes last night. It will be repeated on TV and you can watch full episodes online . I encourage you to watch. This is a part of our history that needs to be told. It needs to be integrated into our conscience. In my mind, it needs to be formally acknowledged by our government that we have repeatedly done wrong to the native peoples. The land now called the United States of America was stolen by the immigrants. Our government legalized criminal acts against the people named by the immigrants as Indians (so-named because the immigrants thought they had arrived in India).

As someone who has been watching the internally displaced Darfuri people forced to leave their homes by their own government, have their land stolen, and now - especially since March 4, 2009 - have starvation, dehydration and diseases become part of the way to kill off the Darfuri people, I see striking similarities of what the white immmigrants did to the people already here in the United States of America.

It is wrong what was done to the Indians. The one race of people that remains to be discriminated against in the USA that pretty much is not talked about is the discrimination of the Indians - the Native Americans.

The United States of America declared independence while robbing independence from the Native Americans. Not only robbing independence, but institutionalizing racism.

The "land of the free" was built from the land that wasn't theirs. Many people who are not engaged in the lives of the Native Americans choose not to see how the nation was started. Our past affects what we are today. The truth remains to set us truly free.

WHAT "WE" - "OUR" ANCESTORS DID - WAS NO DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IS BEING DONE TO THE DARFURI PEOPLE OF SUDAN BY THEIR GOVERNMENT for the past six years.

Treaty after treaty, promise after promise has been broken by the USA government with the Native Americans. This treatment continues today. Another related link: Native American First Nations History

It is time to acknowledge the truth.
The United States of America will never be based on values until it formally acknowledges what it did to the Native peoples. Until we can accept what is wrong as wrong, mistreatment and injustice will continue.

Denying truth doesn't make truth less true.

“I was ready to do whatever it takes for change. I didn’t care. I had children, and for them I figured I could make a stand here.”
— Madonna Thunder Hawk (Two Kettle Lakota) More about the film Download the Episode Transcript





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The hypocrisy of the document below is transparent
if read with even small bits of knowledge of the history of the Native Americans.

The Declaration of Independence
of the United States of America

Source: www.wfu.edu

Preamble to the Declaration of Independence

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.


We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.


That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.


Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.

Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.


Charges


He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.


He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.


He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.


He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.


He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.


He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.


He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.


He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.


He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.


He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.


He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.


He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.


He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.


He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.


He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.


[Excised passagte on slavery]
see Jefferson's draft He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating it's most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating and carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither. This piratical warfare, the opprobrium of infidels powers, is the warfare of the Christian king of Great Britain. He has prostituted his negative for suppressing every legislative attempt to prohibit or to restrain this execrable commerce determining to keep open a market where MEN should be bought and sold: and that this assemblage of horrors might want no fact of distinguished die, he is now exciting those very people to rise in arms among us, and to purchase that liberty of which he has deprived them, by murdering the people upon whom he also obtruded them: thus paying off former crimes committed against the liberties of one people, with crimes which he urges them to commit against the lives of another.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren.


We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us.


We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence.

They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity.

We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.


We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

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Links of interest

American Indian Genocide Museum


A troublesome report by the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8046516.stm

To voice concern over the BBC report
use this link and the information provided below:
http://faq.external.bbc.co.uk/questions/contact/complaint

The Facts about Darfur
United Nations say
2.7 Million Darfuris are displaced internally in camps
300,000 more are displaced to camps outside of Sudan in bordering Chad

4.7 Million need humanitarian aid such as food, water and medical help

The number of dead has been between 300,000 and 400,000 for a few years, now.


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Thursday, May 7, 2009

HUMAN NATURE AT ITS BEST

There have been times in my life I have been lifted by what human beings do. Moments when witnessing others being human in most glorious and radiant ways.

It usually has to do with the human spirit shining or something to do with creativity in the arts.

Here is the human spirit being terrific... human beings sending their energy out which in turn creates for us a positive response and a sense of joy and gratitude to be a part of the human race illustrated here....

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The Sound of Music
Central Station
Antwerp, Belgium
More than 200 dancers were performing their version of "Do Re Mi", in the Central Station of Antwerp. with just 2 rehearsals they created this amazing stunt! Those 4 fantastic minutes started the 23 of March 2009, 8:00 AM. It is a promotion stunt for a Belgian television program, where they are looking for someone to play the leading role, in the musical of The Sound of Music.
Uploaded by
saihttam1988
If you click on the little rectangle shape in the lower right corner (to the left of the little rectangle with the arrow pointing upward) of the youtube video, the video will become as big as your computer screen.

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Darfur and Genocide

Stop Genocide Now just put up their i-ACTzine Issue 10: Mother's Day

There are three actions highlighted in the Mother's Day Issue. In light of Carmen's recent post about "Hey tell Barack about Darfur" you all might want to engage your communities the first action! Here's a glimpse:

Mother's Day is a day we honor the mother's, especially our own mothers, for their love and devotion to their children, and in many cases to the community around them. For the past six years the mothers of Darfur have struggled to remain strong in the face of violence, towards them and their families. Many have survived and many others have died. Many have lost children, and many carried children on their backs across the desert with little to no food or water. Today, as the situation worsens, they face death by starvation and disease.

This Mother's Day, take action to honor the mothers of Darfur, and keep consistent and public pressure on the administration:

1. Families: write an open Mother's Day Card to Michelle Obama. When describing herself, she says, first and foremost, she is Malia and Sasha's mom. The mothers of Darfur need our support, and Mother's Day is the perfect day to honor their strength and advocate for their freedom to live their lives in peace.

Send a copy to the editor of your local paper and ask them to publish it, and one to the First Lady. If you want the card to go to a mother of Darfur, send the original to Stop Genocide Now. Here are a few examples for cards and open letters.

Addresses:
First Lady Michelle Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington DC 20500

Stop Genocide Now - The Mothers of Darfur
1732 Aviation Blvd #138
Redondo Beach, CA 90277

2. Mothers, sisters, daughters: In solidarity with Darfur survivors, read one or more entries from the collection One Voice: Testimonies of Darfurian Mothers at your place of worship or Mother's Day celebration, with your family, or perform it on a street corner.

3. Everyone: On Mother's Day participate in a global day of Fasting - water only or refugee rations.

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Uploaded by ilovemylifesblog
Double click the video and see the video in High Quality at Youtube where you can benefit by clicking on HQ for High Quality (HQ is found in the lower right corner of the Youtube video).

Or if you want to remain here:
You can click on the little rectangle shape in the lower right corner (to the left of the little rectangle with the arrow pointing upward) of the youtube video and the video will become as large as your computer screen.

Genocide by starvation, diseases and other "passive" means have been done before. It was done on the North American continent to the indigenous people: pbs.org - American Experience - We Shall Remain

Now it is being done to the Darfuris.

"A big lie."

That's what Sudan's ambassador to the United Nations calls a U.N. report that there are "over 1 million people at life-threatening risk" due to the government of Sudan's decision to expel aid groups.

Sign the letter to President Obama
action.savedarfur.org/campaign/jointletter

The refugees in Sudan have been cut off from potable water, food and medical attention since March 4, 2009. Meningitis, cholera and diarrhea are spreading in the camps inside the Sudanese borders.

Elie Wiesel says "...to remain silent and indifferent is the greatest sin of all...

The collective indifference to this human disaster is numbing and stunning.


Fast for Darfur: fastdarfur.org

Read Mia Farrow's stand: miafarrow.org


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Uploaded by iACTivism
A school in camp Djabal in Chad
where the Darfuri students share songs from their homeland
.

If you click on the little rectangle shape in the lower right corner (to the left of the little rectangle with the arrow pointing upward) of the youtube video, the video will become as big as your computer screen.

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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

FASTING FOR DARFUR, PERSONAL THOUGHTS ABOUT REAL PEOPLE, RAFA NADAL AND SODERLING IN ROME

I am fasting tomorrow with Mia Farrow and many others.

JOIN IN THE FAST
FOR DARFURIS FREEDOM TO LIVE

There will be 2 fasting options: water only, and refugee rations that mirrors the rations people get in the refugee camps that we have observed.

To join Darfur Fast for Life for one day or more, send an e-mail to join@fastdarfur.org with your name, date(s) fasting, hometown, and form of fasting you will participate in (water only or refugee rations). Please be sure to check with your doctor, if you intend on doing any extended form of fasting.

Water only fast

In this fast only water is consumed.

Refugee rations fast

Cracked Wheat - Daily, 7 oz. (weight not volume) (686 Calories)
Farina Wheat Cereal - Daily - 1.17 oz (weight not volume) (123 Calories)
Yellow Split Peas - Daily 1/6 Cup (82 Calories)
Oil - Daily 2.4 TSPNs (96 Calories)
Sugar - Daily 2 TSPNs (30 Calories)
Salt - Daily 1/10 Teaspoon per day.

Total of 1,017 Calories

People Fasting in Solidarity are listed at
fastdarfur.org

Darfur Fast for Life was created so that you and many more around the world can participate in saying no to the status quo on Darfur. Mia will be blogging here and at MiaFarrow.org. Others will join by participating in water-only and/or “refugee rations” fasts to bring attention to the immediate humanitarian crisis in Darfur created by the expulsion of aid organizations by the government of Sudan. Darfur Fast for Life demands from our leaders around the world to be ambitious and work on creating lasting peace in Sudan and guaranteeing the respect for the human rights of all.Darfur Fast for Life
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Larry King talks with Mia Farrow, about why she is going on a hunger strike in efforts to raise awareness about Darfur. April 28, 2009
Uploaded by dingerses

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Write to President Obama
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Tell him we need his leadership for the short and long run
on the issue of genocide and the
6 year old genocide on the unarmed Darfuri civilians, families.

President Obama can be called:
202-456-1111
or
1-800-GENOCIDE

Find USA elected politicians contact information at this link:
www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

Check this out
www.darfurscores.org
Your elected officials get graded on Darfur

JOIN OTHERS TO PUT AN END TO GENOCIDE
www.enoughproject.org
www.savedarfur.org
www.standnow.org

Urge UN and Sudanese Ambassadors to use their influence to press the government of Sudan to fully restore humanitarian aid in and around Darfur.

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Part Two

As I was taking a moment's break from my aerobic exercise tonight, I picked up a book to read from the bookshelves beside my contraption. The book was Listen to Love - a collection of poems and excerpts. But in between the pages I found a newspaper clipping, yellowed with jagged edges - the paper, Boston Herald Traveler, Monday August 3, 1970. It was a letter in the Dear Ann Landers column.

Dear Ann Landers,

This is an answer to the reader from Port Jervis, New York, who wrote about a friend who committed suicide. Last December a pal of mine killed himself. Another friend attempted suicide three times in the past 14 months. I tried to take my own life a few years ago.

We all had promising futures and financial security, but we lacked one thing - the ability to relate to others. I stopped wanting to kill myself when I realized my death would make a difference. That somebody really cared.

If people want to help, they can. Here are a few things everyone can do: Smile more - even to people you don't know. Touch people. Look them in the eye. Let them know you are aware they exist. Be concerned about those you work with. Listen when they speak to you. Spend an extra minute. If someone has a problem, let him tell you about it. Sometimes just listening means more than you'll ever know.

To those who are in a depression say this: "Everybody has highs and lows. Nobody is on top of the world all the time. You'll crawl back up again if you give yourself a chance. Tomorrow will be better."

You could save a life without realizing it by letting a depressed person know he has value. He counts. Somebody cares. I care. - Age 27

It takes so little to be kind. It costs us nothing. It makes you better and it certainly brightens others' day. The energy we put out to the universe can be positive or negative. I tend to think no energy we put out is neutral. We affect those around us as we are affected by others who we see or hear in passing.

Take a moment to consider how much richer you would be to be kind throughout your day. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. And then at the end of the day - consider how that kindness was better than negative, angry or cold thoughts or words that you could have chosen to put out in the world.

Recently, I notice how nice it is to actually call a business and talk to a live person, not some automated voice on the other end. And then have the person, be kind, take their time with me and actually listen to my questions and attempt to directly answer my questions. And also to walk into a local business and be treated with respect and get thoughtful help.

Maybe, feeling alienated by all the technology that has no person, texting as on Twitter, automated "assistance" or told to go to a website and go to "frequently asked questions" to hunt for the one question I have - all this makes person-to-person kindness seem rare. When calling a business, I halfway expect to get "automated" people and am surprised when a real person "appears". It is really nice.

Being human is more pleasant when actual people are, well, human.

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Part Three


Round 2 match with Seppi photos
Photo credits: Unsure but possibly
REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi,
Julian Finney/Getty Images
and AP Photo/Carlo Baroncini, CBS Sportsline
and from
internazionalibnlditalia.it


Round 3 ~ April 30, Thursday, Rafa will play Robin Soderling
USA EDT 2:30 PM
Stadio Pietrangeli

Rafa Nadal d Andreas Seppi Wednesday, April 29, 2009
6-2, 6-3


Websites to check out:
vamosbrigade.com
The Original Forum at Rafa's Site
www.rafaelnadal.com

Watch it live at


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A typical Fantastic point by Rafa and the ending of the match today in Rome
Round 2 with Seppi
Uploaded by NadalPower

Rafael Nadal vs. Andreas Seppi - Part of the match
6-2, 6-3 Round 2 ~ Rome Masters 2009, April 29
Uploaded by tennis24TV








A note about the photo credits: I retrieved the Rafa pictures at a site that didn't credit the photographers. I did see some of the same pictures other places and these names were given for sources for those pictures: REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi, Julian Finney/Getty Images, and AP Photo/Carlo Baroncini, CBS Sportsline, internazionalibnlditalia.it website.

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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

JOIN THE FAST FOR DARFURIS' FREEDOM TO GO HOME. RAFA NADAL PLAYS ANDREAS SEPPI IN ROME'S RD 2

JOIN IN THE FAST FOR DARFURIS FREEDOM TO LIVE

There will be 2 fasting options: water only, and refugee rations that mirrors the rations people get in the refugee camps that we have observed.

To join Darfur Fast for Life for one day or more, send an e-mail to join@fastdarfur.org with your name, date(s) fasting, hometown, and form of fasting you will participate in (water only or refugee rations). Please be sure to check with your doctor, if you intend on doing any extended form of fasting.

adef-w-peas

Water only fast

In this fast only water is consumed.

Refugee rations fast

Cracked Wheat - Daily, 7 oz. (weight not volume) (686 Calories)
Farina Wheat Cereal - Daily - 1.17 oz (weight not volume) (123 Calories)
Yellow Split Peas - Daily 1/6 Cup (82 Calories)
Oil - Daily 2.4 TSPNs (96 Calories)
Sugar - Daily 2 TSPNs (30 Calories)
Salt - Daily 1/10 Teaspoon per day.

Total of 1,017 Calories

People Fasting in Solidarity are listed at
fastdarfur.org

Darfur Fast for Life

Activist-actress Mia Farrow will began an extended hunger strike in solidarity with the people of Darfur on April 27, 2009. She intends to continue this water-only fast for 21 days. Darfur Fast for Life was created so that you and many more around the world can participate in saying no to the status quo on Darfur. Mia will be blogging here and at MiaFarrow.org. Others will join by participating in water-only and/or “refugee rations” fasts to bring attention to the immediate humanitarian crisis in Darfur created by the expulsion of aid organizations by the government of Sudan. Darfur Fast for Life demands from our leaders around the world to be ambitious and work on creating lasting peace in Sudan and guaranteeing the respect for the human rights of all.

Darfur Fast for Life
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We fast in solidarity with the people of Darfur because they do not have a choice. We fast as a personal expression of outrage at a world that has allowed the suffering of millions of innocent people. We fast because as we simply watched, Darfur’s defenseless people were forced into wretched camps where today they are facing starvation and disease. We fast because those in positions of authority who know what is right and just, could and should do more to alleviate their suffering and bring peace, protection, and justice to the people of Sudan.

We fast for Darfur’s courageous people —because we yearn for a world where human rights are respected and a life of dignity is the legacy for every man, woman and child.

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Adef’s food rations

Our Act Now for Darfur event in Rhode Island - April 18, 2009 ....
Quiet Riot for Darfuri Families
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Genocide in Darfur - Silence and Indifference...Are Necessary for Genocide to Happen
Uploaded by ilovemylifesblog



Text from the Youtube from Quiet Riot for Darfuri Families:

Music Selections:
"Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child" ~ sung by Kathleen Emery
"This Little Light of Mine" ~ sung by Odetta

Genocide has never happened when there is space on our "To Do" list making it more probable for us to add Prevention or Stopping Genocide to our list. The holocaust went on for 12 years. Many claimed they didn't know. We know this time. Sudanese President Bashir says that he will protect the people that he is murdering.

The refugees in Sudan have been cut off from potable water, food and medical attention since March 4, 2009. Meningitis, cholera and diarrhea are spreading in the camps inside the Sudanese borders.

President Obama repeatedly said during his campaign "This is a defining moment". This story is a defining issue because of what we choose to do or not do. If effect, we have spoken with our failing. In place of choosing political will, our leaders have chosen indifference. HUMANITY BEFORE POLITICS is on the t-shirts of StopGenocideNow.org -unless, our message is clear to our leaders it will be politics before humanity.

MALNUTRITION
When food is not readily available, the body is thrown off balance, which results in weight loss from the digestion of body fat first, then muscle, then vital organs to keep the body alive.

With extreme malnutrition comes starvation. The skin hangs on the body, the facial contours change with temple wasting as a giveaway sign. Hair begins to lose pigment, thin, and then fall out. The person becomes so weak that appetite is radically diminished: the effort to eat and the energy needed to digest exceed bodily strength. Lethargy, apathy and onset of opportunistic diseases (bacterial, parasitic) besiege the helpless system.

In open circumstances, such as starving populations, disease usually kills first.

Kwashiorkor is a disease of children caused by protein deficiency in malnutrition. Signs of this are orange hair, swollen bellies from liver disease, vomiting, diarrhea (which contains undigested food), ulcerated peeling skin and sloughing of tissue/development of ulcers throughout the digestive tract. Extreme pain is present. The ulcers are entry points for bacteria and death usually occurs from overwhelming infection.

THIRST AND DEHYDRATION
Thirst drives a person to consume fluids of all types and juicy foods to make up the deficit.Unless fluid intake is successful, signs of dehydration occur, the most obvious of which is tenting. Gently pinching up a bit of flesh on the back of the hand creates a small tent which should fill and sink back if all is well. If there is dehydration, the tent stays up.

Sudden life-threatening dehydration brings on cholera. A healthy adult can die from cholera in 2-6 hours because of the acute and massive diarrhea it causes. There is no effective vaccine and antibiotics do not act quickly enough.

We honored three familes at
QUIET RIOT FOR DARFURI FAMILIES

Raouda (12 years old) and Hassanya, her grandmother

Adef and Achta and their 4 children
A family that the SGN team had made friends on their trip June 15, 2008 and again this trip in March 2009:
Guisma, daughter
Bashar and Bashir, twins sons
Abdelmouni, son

Dajhima - Mother
Khadija Daughter
Ibrahim Son

As bad as it is for these families, it is much better than for those Darfuris inside the Sudanese borders.

Elie Wiesel says "...to remain silent and indifferent is the greatest sin of all...

The collective indifference to this human disaster is numbing and stunning.

While in Chad...
www.stopgenocidenow.org/iact/iact5/day 6 - June 15, 2008


www.stopgenocidenow.org/iact/iact7/day5 - March 28, 2009

www.stopgenocidenow.org/iact/iact7/day7 - March 30, 2009



SGN
visited a school in camp Djabal where the students share songs from their homeland in March of 2009.

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Write to President Obama
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

President Obama can be called:
202-456-1111
or
1-800-GENOCIDE

Find USA elected politicians contact information at this link:
www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

JOIN OTHERS TO PUT AN END TO GENOCIDE
www.enoughproject.org
www.savedarfur.org
www.standnow.org

Pictures in
ilovemylifesblog's video are from camp Djabal, a Darfuri refugee camp visited March 23 - April 1, 2009 by the Stop Genocide Now iAct team. I have obtained permission from Gabriel Stauring, the founder of Stop Genocide Now, for use of the pictures. The other pictures are mine and of Newport (also known as Eastons) Beach, Newport, Rhode Island on the Atlantic Ocean on April 18, 2009 at our event.

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March 4, 2009, the Sudanese government decided to expel 13 international humanitarian aid groups from working in and around Darfur.

These are the consequences...

According to a joint UN-Sudanese humanitarian assessment team, around May 1st we will see a sharp drop in the health and well-being of people living throughout the Darfur crisis region. Emergency food rations will run out. Clean water, an already rare commodity, will become even scarcer. And to top it off, a "rainy season" will render on-the-ground movement extremely difficult, escalating the risk of disease and danger to children and the elderly.

If Sudan's leaders won't step in to steer their country away from inevitable doom, then they will bear the blame for this new phase to the crisis in Darfur.

Urge UN and Sudanese Ambassadors to use their influence to press the government of Sudan to fully restore humanitarian aid in and around Darfur.


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Rome Tennis Tournament

April 29, 2009

Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Rome
Rafa Nadal vs Andreas Seppi in Round 2- Wednesday April 29th.

The match is scheduled
third on Stadio Pietrangeli.
The first match beginsPlay starts at 7:00 AM USA EDT.

Link to find live streaming at vamosbrigade.com
Pay to watch live streaming ~ www.tennistv.com

Official Site for Rome
Singles Draw


Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates match point and 6-2,7-6 victory against Andy Murray of Great Britain in the semi final match during day 6 of the ATP Masters Series at the Monte Carlo Country Club on April 18, 2009 in Monte Carlo,Monaco.
Photo credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images


Rafael Nadal of Spain in the final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during day seven of the ATP Masters Series at the Monte Carlo Country Club on April 19, 2009 in Monte Carlo,Monaco. Photo credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images



Rafael Nadal of Spain in the final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during day seven of the ATP Masters Series at the Monte Carlo Country Club on April 19, 2009 in Monte Carlo,Monaco. Photo credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Rafael Nadal (l) of Spain holds the winners trophy alongside Prince Albert II of Monaco (r) after his 6-3,2-6,6-1 victory in the final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during day seven of the ATP Masters Series at the Monte Carlo Country Club on April 19, 2009 in Monte Carlo,Monaco. Photo credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point on his way to a 6-2,7-6 victory against Andy Murray of Great Britain in the semi final match during day 6 of the ATP Masters Series at the Monte Carlo Country Club on April 18, 2009 in Monte Carlo,Monaco. Photo credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images


Rafael Nadal of Spain in the final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during day seven of the ATP Masters Series at the Monte Carlo Country Club on April 19, 2009 in Monte Carlo,Monaco. Photo credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Monte Carlo
Rd 2 Rafa d Juan Ignacio Chela ~ April 15 ~ 6-2, 6-3
Rd 3 Rafa d Nicloas Lapentti ~ April 17 ~ 6-3, 6-0
QF Rafa d Ivan Ljubicic ~ April 17 ~ 6-3, 6-3
SF Rafa d Andy Murray ~ April 18 ~ 6-2, 7-6(4)
Final Rafa d Novak Djokovic 6-3, 2-6, 6-1
Fifth straight year Rafa won Singles at Monte Carlo
Last year he also won the doubles

Rafael Nadal (l) of Spain poses with the winners trophy after his 6-3,2-6,6-1 victory in the final match against Novak Djokovic (r) of Serbia during day seven of the ATP Masters Series at the Monte Carlo Country Club on April 19, 2009 in Monte Carlo,Monaco. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images

Pictures of Monte Carlo


Picture from Barcelona Tournament
Rafael Nadal of Spain on his way back to the players lounge after attending a press conference on day 1 of the ATP 500 World Tour Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell 2009 tennis tournament at the Real Club de Tenis on April 20, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain.
Photo credit: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images Europe

Barcelona ~ Rafa did it again
Rd 2 Rafa d Frederico Gil ~ 6-2, 6-2 Rd 3 Rafa d Christophe Rochus ~ 6-2, 6-0 QF Nalbandian withdrew SF Rafa d Nikolay Davydenko ~ 6-3, 6-2 Final Rafa d David Ferrer ~ 6-2, 7-5

Link to pictures of Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell 2009

Former tennis great Manolo Santana (L) holds a racket used by him in the year he won the Wimbledon Championships flanked by Rafael Nadal during a promotional event for Nadal's foundation on
day 2 of the ATP 500 World Tour Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell 2009 tennis tournament at the Real Club de Tenis on April 21, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain.
Photo credit: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

Link to pictures ~ Day 2


Rafael Nadal of Spain heads the ball during a training session on day 2 of the ATP 500 World Tour Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell 2009 tennis tournament at the Real Club de Tenis on April 21, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. Photo credit: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

Link to pictures - Day 3 ~ Rafael Nadal vs. Frederico Gil of Portugal
at the ATP 500 World Tour Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell 2009 tennis tournament at the Real Club de Tenis on April 22, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. Nadal won the match in two sets, 6-2 and 6-2.

Link to pictures ~ Day 4


Link to pictures of Rafael Nadal vs. Nikolay Davydenko of Russia during his
semi-final match on day 6 of the ATP 500 World Tour Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell 2009 tennis tournament at the Real Club de Tenis on April 25, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. Nadal won the match in two sets, 6-3 and 6-2.


Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Teimuraz Gabashvili of Russia during day 6 of the Sony Ericsson Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 28, 2009 in Key Biscayne, Florida ~ Miami. Photo credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Link to more pictures in Miami.

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Thursday, March 5, 2009

IN NEED OF KEEPERS OF JUSTICE

SINCE NOT ONE GOVERNMENT IN THE WORLD . . .

has no stains, how will justice have an advocate that will command respect?

For me, I think it is up to the people within countries to force their own governments to do the right thing. And for those of us who have freedom of speech, it might be our most vital obligation ... to use our freedom for justice to hang around. Justice doesn't just happen. And we don't all have the same same
idea of what justice is. We don't all have the same idea of what compassion looks like.

Genocide Will End When Enough of Us Decide It Will End

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Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Craig Ferguson March 4, 2009 - Part 1 of 3
At 7:29 Archbishop Tutu talks about being in Darfur

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Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Craig Ferguson March 4, 2009 - Part 2 of 3

This is very good.

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Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Craig Ferguson March 4, 2009 - Part 3 0f 3
Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Above 3 videos uploaded by Phillyfinale

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We're not well until we're all well.
Mary Sanger
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Link to video regarding President Bashir's Arrest Warrant from the ICC
Uploaded by AlJazeeraEnglish
Text with the video



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UN warns `irrevocable damage' in Darfur expulsions
Source: http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=500&sid=1617453

By EDITH M. LEDERER
Associated Press Writer

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday that Sudan's expulsion of 13 major aid groups will cause irrevocable damage to humanitarian operations in Darfur and called on the government to urgently reconsider.

Ban said the agencies' operations "are key to maintaining a lifeline to 4.7 million Sudanese people who receive aid in Darfur," according to U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas.

U.N. officials said Sudan ordered 13 of the largest aid groups expelled after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Sudan's government has accused the non-governmental organizations of cooperating with the court and offering "false" testimony. Al-Bashir accused the groups of trying to disrupt peace efforts in Darfur. Read the full article: http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=500&sid=1617453

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We Are Humanitarians, Not Activists, says NGO

Source:
http://www.france24.com/en/20090305-sudan-aid-agencies-darfur-expel-durand-doctors-without-borders-medecins-sans-frontieres-humanitarian

Thierry Durand, head of operations in Sudan for the French section of Doctors Without Borders (known by its French initials MSF), is protesting the Sudanese government's decision to expel 10 nongovernmental organisations.

"They have not recognised the difference between aid organisations like MSF and human-rights activists who have campaigned for years for justice and provided information to the international justice system," Durand said on FRANCE 24 television.

"We've tried to differentiate ourselves from human-rights activists, but the government hasn’t recognised that and expelled 10 NGOs, a strong political sign from Sudanese government."

Sudan's president, Omar al-Bashir, accused NGOs of breaking the country's laws on Thursday.

"We have expelled 10 foreign organizations after monitoring activities that act in contradiction to all regulation and laws," said Bashir in a cabinet meeting in which he confirmed the execution of the sentence.

"We will deal responsibly and decisively with anybody who tries to target the stability and security of the country," he added. The meeting was Bashir's first public speech since the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest on Wednesday.

Ten international NGOs were expelled: Britain's Oxfam and Save the Children; US-based CARE, CHF and the International Rescue Committee; the French Solidarités and Action Contre la Faim; and Mercy Corps, MSF’s Dutch section and the Norwegian Refugee Council.

Durand says the government's reaction is unacceptable. "They have not explained the decision and have not responded to the questions from MSF members," he said.

The organisations that have been expelled are involved in a number of areas, including distribution of water, food and medicine, explained Durand.

"Four other MSF sections will try remain in Darfur, but the expulsion of hundreds of NGOs has left no aid workers at all in certain places," he said.

The humanitarian situation in Darfur has been stable since May 2004, and according to Durand, there is no major emergency there presently. Nevertheless, he added, two million people there are "completely dependent" on international aid.

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Link to the article: SUDAN: Aid agencies react to expulsions
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UN Calls on Sudan to Reverse NGO Expulsion Order

Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-03-05-voa55.cfm


05 March 2009
U.N. deputy humanitarian chief Catherine Bragg in Harare, 25 Feb 2009
U.N. deputy humanitarian chief Catherine Bragg in Harare, 25 Feb 2009
A senior United Nations official says that more than a million people in Darfur will be left without food aid, health care and drinking water as a result of Sudan's decision to order the 13 largest aid groups out of the conflict zone. The expulsion order came after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant Wednesday for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.


U.N. deputy humanitarian chief Catherine Bragg said Sudan's decision to expel 13 aid organizations in north Sudan will have immediate effect on the ability to deliver humanitarian assistance in the whole country, but especially in Darfur, where 4.7 million people receive aid.

"We are deeply concerned about the decision of the government of Sudan which will have devastating effect on their own citizens in Darfur," she said. "These agencies are vital implementing partners for the United Nations and account for at least half of the humanitarian capacity in Darfur. It removes 40 percent of the aid workers in Darfur - roughly 6,500 national and international staff."

The list of aid groups ordered out include Action Contre La Faim (ACF), Care International, CHF International, International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, both the French and Dutch branches of Doctors without Borders, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam, PADCO, Solidarités, and both the British and U.S. branches of Save the Children.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also expressed his concern about the action. In a statement, he urged the government of Sudan to reconsider its decision, saying it if it is implemented, it will cause "irrevocable damage" to humanitarian operations there.

Catherine Bragg said some aid groups were given only 24 hours to leave. She said the United Nations is now working to assist these agencies in bringing their staff members back from the field to Khartoum, where they will get exit visas to leave the country.

Also troubling is the way in which the government has gone about expelling the charities.

"Sudanese officials also requested some agencies to hand over a list of their assets, and in some cases have begun to gather banking details and confiscated office equipment such as computers, communications equipment and vehicles," she said.

Bragg said the United Nations is deeply concerned about the safety and security of the aid workers and that the government's actions are contrary to the assurances the United Nations received that humanitarian operations would be protected and assistance would continue. More worrying, she said is the situation of those who need their help.

"This will have profound implication on the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Darfur and in Sudan," said Bragg. "We are even more deeply concerned about the welfare of the 4.6 million conflict affected people in Darfur. With loss of these NGOs, 1.1 million people will be without food aid, 1.1 million will be without health care, and over 1 million without potable water."

Bragg said the United Nations is looking into contingency plans on how to fill the gaps, including asking the remaining aid groups and the Sudanese government to help, in addition to stepping up its own humanitarian operations.


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Just hours after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al Bashir yesterday, he expelled six humanitarian organizations from Sudan – including Doctors Without Borders, Care International, International Rescue Committee and others Click Here to read the CNN article.

Jewish World Watch will be hosting a conference call tomorrow morning with David Kaye, Executive Director of the Center for Human Rights Law at UCLA, who will help us understand the legal implications of the warrant, and Naama Haviv, Assistant Director of Jewish World Watch, who will discuss the action that our anti-genocide community needs to take in order to support the goals of Peace and Protection for the people of Darfur, and Punishment for the perpetrators.

Because of the high number of expected participants on the call, please email your questions in advance to ari@jewishworldwatch.org.

Call-in information:

Friday, March 6

11:00a.m. (Los Angeles, CA time probably)

Dial-in: (866) 213-1863

Access code: 6316927

www.jewishworldwatch.org

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Here is the Darfur coverage for March 4, 2009:

THE WHITE HOUSE

The press briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had the following about Darfur:

Q Does the President support the arrest warrant issued today against President Bashir of Sudan? And how is the administration planning for the possibility of retaliation as a result of this against Darfurians, a possible collapse of the peace in the south, and international workers in Sudan?

MR. GIBBS: Let me -- without getting specifically into this, the White House believes that those who have committed atrocities should be held accountable; that as this process moves forward, that we would urge restraint on the part of all parties, including the government of Sudan; that further violence against civilian Sudanese or foreign interests is to be avoided and won't be tolerated. The President and this White House are determined to support the pursuit of an immediate cease-fire and long-term peace in the region. Obviously there are many efforts that are ongoing in the region to help those that have been displaced, and the President believes those efforts should and must continue.

Q So he does support the ICC's --

MR. GIBBS: I'm not going to go farther than what I just said.

The U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

The March 4, 2009 daily press briefing had the following about Darfur:

MR. DUGUID: Good morning, everyone. I’d like to read a statement to begin this morning’s briefing.

The United States is strongly committed to the pursuit of peace in Sudan, and believes those who have committed atrocities should be held accountable for their crimes.

We urge the Government of Sudan, armed rebel groups, and all others – all other concerned parties to exercise restraint in responding to the ICC arrest warrant that was issued today and to ensure the safety and security of vulnerable Sudanese populations, international civilians, and peacekeepers on the ground.

The United States will continue to support efforts to ease the suffering of the Sudanese people and to promote a just and durable peace. We remain committed to the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that brought an end to the conflict between North and South Sudan. We will also continue to support the UN-AU mediator Bassole’s efforts to achieve a permanent cessation of hostilities and a political settlement that will end the humanitarian crisis and bring a lasting peace to Darfur.

With that, I shall take your questions.

QUESTION: Are there any American personnel still in Darfur? What’s the situation at the Embassy? Are there any concerns that – even though you’re not a member of the ICC, that there might be some kind of a – there might be some kind of disturbance around your facilities?

MR. DUGUID: I checked just before coming out, so my information is as recent as I could have it, that the Embassy was open and functioning, that all American citizens were safe and accounted for. There had been protests in Khartoum, but there has been no violence that I am aware of at this particular point.

QUESTION: And in terms of Americans who might be in Darfur --

MR. DUGUID: In Darfur, I’ll have to check on that for you. I don’t have those particular figures. If we have anybody on the ground at the moment, it’s --

QUESTION: Apparently, all of the international NGOs have been called in and asked to leave. Do you have anything on that?

MR. DUGUID: I don’t. That would be something that the UN perhaps had organized. I don’t have any information on it. Our Embassy is, as I said, open and our people are at work.

Yes.

QUESTION: Since the United States is not a signatory to the ICC, if for some reason President Bashir were to be on U.S. soil, would the U.S. be under any obligation to arrest him and turn him over to international authorities?

MR. DUGUID: That’s a speculative question. I don’t expect President Bashir to be here anytime soon, so I will defer that question until it actually happens.

QUESTION: Well, it’s not a speculative question.

MR. DUGUID: Yes, the --

QUESTION: Forget about Bashir.

MR. DUGUID: Yes.

QUESTION: If there’s – if the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for someone who then turns up on U.S. soil --

MR. DUGUID: The United States expects all parties to the conflict in Darfur to cooperate fully with the ICC and its prosecutors called upon by the relevant UN Security Council resolution. The question of whether or not someone charged by the ICC shows up on U.S. soil, what is the U.S. response for that, I’ll have to ask our lawyers to provide me with an answer..

QUESTION: Okay. Can I – because I don’t know if there is any obligation at all, but it’s not incredibly hypothetical to think that Bashir might come to the United States. I mean, a lot of world leaders go to the UN.

MR. DUGUID: The UN would be a different case as the diplomatic organization there.

QUESTION: They have to land at an airport on U.S.. soil.

MR. DUGUID: They also have special arrangements for them. Let’s ask the lawyers to get us an answer on this so we are not speculating.

Yes.

QUESTION: I heard you in your statement say that you remain committed to the process, but I didn’t hear you say that you welcomed this step by the ICC. Can you say whether you do or not?

MR. DUGUID: Well, what the United States does is we expect all parties in Darfur to cooperate with this. We want to see an end to the violence in Darfur, we want to see an end to the violence in Sudan, and we want to see those who have committed atrocities held accountable for their actions and their crimes.

QUESTION: Would you count President Bashir among those?

MR. DUGUID: We would refer you to what the ICC has said, what the international community said, what we have supported in the UN on Sudan; and it is evident that the Government of Sudan has the brunt of the responsibility for what has happened in Darfur, and he is the head of that government.

QUESTION: So you would welcome President Bashir being taken to The Hague and placed on trial?

MR. DUGUID: We would welcome an end to the conflict and violence in Darfur and a peaceful resolution to the differences between the conflicting parties.

QUESTION: So this is a helpful step, then, toward that?

MR. DUGUID: This is a helpful – this is – can be a helpful step. We will see how it proceeds from here.

QUESTION: What is the status, though, of the U.S. – of diplomatic contact with President Bashir at all? Do you still – obviously, you still recognize him as the head of state, but you know, will U.S. diplomats meet with Bashir if the opportunity arises?

MR. DUGUID: We already carefully consider contact with Sudanese Government officials based on a need to try and help resolve the crisis. For example, the United States does not maintain full diplomatic relations with Sudan. We only have a charg� in place at the Embassy. But because we take the court’s actions very seriously, any official contacts with President Bashir would have to be carefully reviewed on a case-by-case basis, very mindful of the indictment.

QUESTION: Well, can – I know that this is a new Administration, but the Bush Administration had called the atrocities in Darfur genocide.

MR. DUGUID: And I think you’ll find that Ambassador Rice did so --

QUESTION: Okay. So --

MR. DUGUID: -- just a few moments ago in the UN.

QUESTION: So I mean, if you could – you know, just to pick up where Kirit was about whether you welcome the decision and what cooperation did the United States have with the court in providing information to get the indictment?

MR. DUGUID: This was taken by the ICC, to which we are not a party and not a signatory; therefore, I am stating what our position is. Things that then run from the ICC’s own train of events, I have to refer you to the ICC.

QUESTION: Well, but I mean, were you – did you cooperate with the court? Did you provide the court information? You’ve always said that even though you’re not a party to the court, you can still cooperate with the court on --

MR. DUGUID: I’m not at liberty to discuss whatever diplomatic communication we may have had with the court. We do see this as a step that the Sudanese Government should take seriously and respond to in a positive manner in order to try and end the violence in Darfur.

Yes.

QUESTION: Whether or not you cooperate with the court, does the United States have independent evidence that Bashir and his aides have committed war crimes?

MR. DUGUID: As it’s now a matter for a court, I think I should refrain from making a statement on what might influence that court’s decisions.

Yes.

QUESTION: Can I go back to the Bashir thing for one second?

MR. DUGUID: Yes.

QUESTION: You said that any contact with Bashir would have to be considered very carefully on a case-by-case basis --

MR. DUGUID: That’s correct.

QUESTION: -- considering the indictment --

MR. DUGUID: That is correct.

QUESTION: Considering the arrest warrant?

MR. DUGUID: Yes.

QUESTION: Well, does that mean that you will or you won’t meet with him?

MR. DUGUID: That means that should that opportunity present itself, we would have to consider that very, very carefully in light of our – of any obligations that might be laid upon us due to the ICC warrant; also, any possible ramifications that it would present, given the situation on the ground at the time.

QUESTION: Well, that – your answer seems to suggest that there may be obligations that you have to the ICC, but you’re not a signatory.

MR. DUGUID: As I indicated earlier, we will take the question on --

QUESTION: Thank you.

MR. DUGUID: -- our obligations and find out what they are. But I’m unaware of any, so I don’t want to rule any in or out.

QUESTION: Okay. Can you make sure when you ask for the obligations that you might have if he steps foot on U.S. soil, if he comes to the United States, also ask them, you know, what obligations there might be for anyone – any American official seeing him?

MR. DUGUID: We will – we will --

QUESTION: Thank you.

MR. DUGUID: -- ask the full range of the question.

Thank you. Yes, please.

UNITED NATIONS

The United Nations noon briefing had the following related to Darfur:

BAN KI-MOON CALLS ON SUDAN TO CONTINUE TO COOPERATE FULLY WITH ALL U.N. ENTITIES

  • The International Criminal Court (ICC) has today issued a warrant for the arrest of President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan, for his alleged responsibility for crimes committed in Darfur.
  • Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recognizes the authority of the International Criminal Court as an independent judicial institution.
  • The Secretary-General trusts that the Government of Sudan will address the issues of peace and justice in a manner consistent with Security Council resolution 1593 (2005).
  • The United Nations will continue to conduct its vital peacekeeping, humanitarian, human rights and development operations and activities in Sudan.
  • The Secretary-General calls on the Government of Sudan to continue to cooperate fully with all UN entities and their implementing partners, while fulfilling its obligation to ensure the safety and security of the civilian population, UN personnel and property, and that of its implementing partners.
  • The Secretary-General calls on all parties to work in good faith toward a political solution to end the conflict in Darfur. He also calls on the parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to recommit themselves to the full and timely implementation of the Agreement, which remains the basis for the long term peace and security in Sudan.

ICC ISSUES ARREST WARRANT FOR PRESIDENT OF SUDAN

  • According to the ICC, the Sudanese President is suspected of being criminally responsible, as an indirect (co-)perpetrator, for intentionally directing attacks against an important part of the civilian population of Darfur, Sudan, murdering, exterminating, raping, torturing and forcibly transferring large numbers of civilians, and pillaging their property. This is the first warrant of arrest ever issued for a sitting Head of State by the ICC.
  • According to the Judges, the above-mentioned crimes were allegedly committed during a five year counter-insurgency campaign by the Government of Sudan against the Sudanese Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and other armed groups opposing the Government of Sudan in Darfur.
  • According to the ICC, a core component of that campaign was the unlawful attack on that part of the civilian population of Darfur – belonging largely to the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa groups – perceived to be close to the organized armed groups opposing the Government of Sudan in Darfur.
  • The Court says that his status as a sitting head of state does not grant him immunity against prosecution. If arrested, he will be tried on five counts of crimes against humanity and two counts of war crimes. He has not been indicted on charges of genocide, the Pre-Trial Chamber said.
  • ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said at the press conference in The Hague a few hours ago that he has "strong evidence" to prove that President Bashir, has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity.

BAN KI-MOON VOICES CONCERN AS SOME NGOs SEE THEIR REGISTRATION REVOKED IN SUDAN

  • The security situation in Darfur today was reported as relatively calm.
  • The Government of Sudan this morning conducted a ground and aerial show of force in El Fasher, North Darfur and Nyala, South Darfur.
  • Peaceful demonstrations took place in El Fasher, Nyala and El Geneina, West Darfur, following the ICC announcement that it has issued an arrest warrant for the Sudanese President. More demonstrations have been scheduled tomorrow.
  • The African Union-United Nations mission in Darfur (UNAMID) reports that UNAMID police and peacekeepers continue to carry out their normal patrolling activities and are closely monitoring developments throughout the region, particularly in and around the IDP camps.
  • The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that of 12 NGOs summoned by the Sudan Government Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), six have already confirmed that their legal registrations have been revoked, a list of assets must be produced for seizure, and that they must leave North Sudan with immediate effect.
  • In response to a question at the noon briefing about the reported expulsion of NGOs by Sudan, the Spokeswoman later said the Secretary-General is concerned to hear that between six and ten humanitarian NGOs have had their registrations revoked, and some of their assets seized. He notes that this represents a serious setback to lifesaving operations in Darfur, and urges the Government of Sudan to act urgently to restore these NGOs to their full operational status.
  • NGOs affected include Oxfam, Solidarit�s, and Mercy Corps. They were informed today by the Sudan Government Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) that their legal registrations have been revoked, a list of assets must be produced for seizure, and that they must leave North Sudan with immediate effect. The United Nations was notified that officials from the Sudan Government HAC have insisted on accompanying some INGO staff members into their offices and taking lists of assets and staff.
  • Affected NGOs are the main providers of life-saving humanitarian services, such as water, food, health and sanitation. Their departure will have an immediate and serious IMPACT on the humanitarian and security situation in North Sudan, especially in Darfur.

UNMIS

The Daily Media Monitoring Report is available at http://www.unmis.org/english/2009Docs/mmr-mar03.pdf.

DOWNING STREET

The morning press briefing from the Prime Minister’s Spokesman had the following about Darfur:

Asked about the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision on whether or not to indict the Sudanese President, the PMS said that we would continue to call on the Government of Sudan to cooperate fully with the ICC. The ICC continued to have our full support for its activities.

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Full transcripts of the daily briefings are available online at:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing_room/PressBriefings/ (White House)

http://www.state..gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2009/index.htm (State Department)

http://www.un.org/News/ossg (United Nations)

http://www.unmis.org/english/m-monitoring.htm (UNMIS)

http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/press-briefings (Number 10)


1-800-GENOCIDE



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