A Letter From Dianne Feinstein

Yesterday, I got an email from Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) about Darfur. Actually, to be honest, I only vaguely recall signing one of those on-line template letters to both California senators some months ago. Now I get this e-mail, which is below. (I have not received anything from Senator Boxer. I guess the letter must have addressed her as "Ma'am".)


"Dear Mr. Fouse:



Thank you for writing. I received your letter expressing concern about the conflict in Darfur. Please know that I agree that more needs to be done to bring peace to this troubled region, and I welcome the opportunity to respond with my views on this evolving crisis.



I share your concern about the situation in Darfur. According to United Nations (UN) and U.S. officials, since the killing began in 2003, thousands of people have lost their lives and several million have been displaced by Khartoum's systematic campaign to eliminate the non-Arab tribal groups in Darfur.



I believe that the United States and the international community must place significant pressure on the Government of Sudan to end the genocide, and I strongly support measures to accomplish this goal. For example, I supported the passage of the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-174), signed into law by then President Bush in December 2007, which authorizes U.S. government agencies and public institutions to take divestment measures against companies that operate in Sudan or are owned by the Sudanese government.



You may also be interested to know that on December 16, 2009, President Obama signed into law the fiscal year 2010 State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Act (Public Law 111-117), which included $296 million in funding to help address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan as well as $44 million in direct support funding for the African Union/United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur peacekeeping mission. Further, this law also includes language directing State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development to prioritize programs in Southern Sudan that implement the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, including support for local governance, judicial strengthening and rule of law, law enforcement professionalism and commitment to human rights, anti-corruption, and community level reintegration programs.



As we increase diplomatic and economic pressure on the Government of Sudan, we need to ensure that peacekeepers and humanitarian groups operating in the region have the protection and resources they need to meet the basic needs of the refugees. I have consistently supported U.S. assistance to these critical missions and will continue to do everything in my power to try to bring an end to the genocide. The current status quo, in which thousands of innocent victims continue to suffer and die, is unacceptable. We can?"and must?"do better.



Again, thank you for writing. I hope that you will continue to write on matters of importance to you. If you have any more questions or comments, please contact my office in Washington, D.C. at (202) 224-3841. Best regards."





Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator


"That oughtta satisfy the old bastard."