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

[prettypinkkitty]

France isn't innocent of the Sudan disaster as well, though I think they have sort of revised their opinion lately, and I'll give that to them. The one thing I will give Bush is that he has actually GIVEN money to Africa, as opposed to just pledging it, and I think that he is slowly taking steps towards sending our (overstretched) troops there, though that will take some time. I also think that Bush and the government is realizing that this might be worth our time (economic liability/what if the Sudanese rile up all of Africa - it's a whole new continent that can hate us! Hotbed of terrorism ahoy!)

And really, the Sudan relenting on peacekeepers in Darfur is the same as them not - they'll allow them in certain areas, or what have you. I don't think it's honest. I am very very pessimistic about the Darfur situation. I don't think it's going to end in this decade.

[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

[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.