Besides Sudanese intelligence and the CIA cooperating on terrorism issues and a recent report describing Sudan as a strong partner in the war on terrorism, we have something else which I just discovered. This. Andrew Natsios, the US envoy to Sudan is basically saying there’s no more genocide in Darfur.
On one hand you’ve got Bush saying it’s genocide, and on the other you’ve got his own envoy to Sudan saying it’s not anymore. Wonderful. Mixed signals give me serious headaches.
SudaneseThinker
SudaneseThinker
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Hey Drima, Its been so long since I came over here, but I’m back now! I hope!
nyway, bout darfur, tell me wats new?? this mixed signals is whats been hapening since the very begining!
I am sick of this!!
Ah, the joys of foreign policy. Maybe the US ought to decide on one.
My head doesn’t hurt anymore. I think I understand why things are like this.
Bush is distracted with Iraq and he values the Sudanese intel on terror (which I presume has started increasing in value again recently). That’s why if you examine the sanctions closely, they aren’t really meant to be tough sanctions but a warning (if oil supplies decrease, prices go up, bad for America). The White House’s language towards Sudan was very hostile previously. It isn’t anymore but that’s not to say that the White House has stopped pressuring Sudan.
Darfur is not really a high priority for Bush. Maybe even he himself doesn’t regard it as genocide anymore. Of course he can’t say that openly. Moreover he can’t give that impression at all. He and his party are accountable to voters.
Natsios is not. That’s why he’s pretty straight forward. Plus Natsios after visiting Sudan a few times, now seems to understand the situation well. I’ve noticed how his opinions have enhanced since the time he took up the position. He also seems to understand that intervention will do little to solve the problem and achieve long term peace.
On the other hand, I’ve noticed from news reports that almost every high government official who has called for intervention and bombing Sudan is a Donkey. The Elephant right does care about Darfur but is way more concerned with Iraq, Iran’s nuclear programme, terrorism etc.
There is a struggle within the US government on what to do about Darfur.
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