Interesting articles from the New York Times

[mangoprophetess]

I. Sudan Relents on Peacekeepers in Darfur - Thank God. Maybe something will be alleviated in Darfur. Hopefully the Sudanese government won't renege...again.

However, I did read a really saddening editorial about Darfur in the Washington Post last weekend about why none of the world governments really seem to be all that keen on doing anything

Comments

[mangoprophetess]

It's not just France, not just China, not just the US --> it's pretty much *all* of the developed world. If we wanted to, we could end the genocide, but I don't think anyone really will, seeing as they are all way too myopic in the "what's in it for me" arena. Disgusting that millions dying isn't incentive enough, but the Sudan in general just doen't offer an inticing enough damsel in distress situation for the West.

As for Bush, I really think the only reason he's done anything for any part of Africa is just to make himself look better politically. Considering he and his cronies have fouled *everything* else up at this point, he's trying to find something, anything to point to to show his adminstration hasn't been a total, selfish disaster. Too bad he hasn't recognized that saving Africa and Darfur in particular from going down in flames will not only save millions, it will also peaceably premetively end future anti-US terrorism in the area. If we've proved to genuinely want to help these people, when al Qaeda and their ilk come in the area, the locals will just kick them right back out again.

[prettypinkkitty]

TBH though, I think that even if the countries with money cared - which they don't, and that is a real setback, I agree - we would still be a hella long way from solving the Darfur problem. There are just so many people displaced and dead - how would one even begin to capture the people who did this to them, even with the support of whatever good is left in the Sudanese government?

But I do agree with you, if countries actually put their honest weight behind opposition to Sudan, we would be closer to ending this genocide. The terrifying challenges that would have to be faced are not a reason to stand by idly. Unfortunately, they're not white and rich. So.