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July 19, 2004

The Honorable John Danforth
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
799 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017

Dear Ambassador Danforth,

On behalf of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM), representing the leadership of the 21,000 religious priests and brothers in the U.S., I would like to congratulate you on your appointment as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. CMSM, in collaboration with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious is a member of the U.N.'s Department of Public Information and Non-Governmental Organizations Section.

As a conference we are quite concerned about the humanitarian crisis that exists in Darfur in western Sudan. Since the outbreak of the crisis in February 2003, more than 30,000 people have been killed and over 1 million have been displaced and forced into refugee camps in neighboring Chad. There are reports of women and young girls being systematically raped, villages being bombed and burned, and water and land resources being poisoned and destroyed. It is feared that thousands more may die if the international community does not respond to this crisis.

All of the parties involved in the conflict have been accused of human rights abuses, but recent waves of violence seem to reflect the increasing role played by political and military leaders in Sudan and Chad who are exploiting the local tensions in order to consolidate power. The government in Khartoum bears the greatest responsibility for the violence and abuse and must also bear the greatest responsibility in bringing an end to the conflict.

Therefore, we urge you on behalf of the U.S. government to bring to the U.N. Security Council a resolution addressing the conflict and crisis in Darfur that responds to the current emergency and sets the agenda for a sustainable and just peace in the region. This resolution should include:

• Condemnation of the Khartoum government for its participation in the ethnic cleansing of Darfur, its support of the Arab Janjaweed militias, its bombing of villages, and for the administrative and other obstacles used to block delivery of humanitarian aid;
• Calling on the Khartoum government to provide security for internally displaced persons, and ensure refugees and displaced persons the right to return to their lands according to international law;
• Pressuring the government to provide unimpeded humanitarian access to all regions in Darfur by international relief agencies;
• Supporting and strengthening the capacity of the Africa Union in its efforts to monitor violations of the ceasefire agreements signed by all parties to the conflict, and to monitor human rights abuses;
• Pressing the Khartoum government to disarm and demobilize the Janjaweed militias; and
• Urging the international community to provide the U.N. with financial and logistical support for the delivery of humanitarian assistance, including the use of air support.

Ambassador Danforth, the Conference is greatly concerned about the crisis in Darfur. Several of our member congregations are involved in international missions and some have members working among the refugees and victims of the ongoing conflict. They know the suffering that is going on in the region. International intervention is necessary now before thousands more die. The United States and the United Nations must not allow this crisis to continue and a Security Council resolution would send a clear signal to the Khartoum government about our concern and resolve to bring about peace and to provide humanitarian assistance.

The Conference's Justice and Peace Director, Rev. Stan De Boe, OSST, is our designated DPI/NGO representative to the U.N. Please do not hesitate to contact him at our national office in Silver Spring, MD if CMSM could be of any assistance in this matter. Fr. De Boe will be attending the DPI/NGO Conference September 8-10. Perhaps you would be available to meet with him so that he can further introduce you to the work of CMSM and our concerns about international issues of justice and peace. He will contact your staff to set up an appointment.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Ronald D. Witherup, SS
President

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