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Indeed, as Powell testified, "no new action is dictated by [the genocide] determination." States can meet their obligations under the convention by simply "calling upon the competent organs of the United Nations" or taking action "they consider appropriate." And what the major powers consider appropriate is tame. They have urged Khartoum to "disarm the Janjaweed," knowing full well that Khartoum funded and armed the militia and continues to do so.
The only hope for peace is an international protection force. But so far, only Nigeria, Tanzania and Rwanda have offered troops, and the proposed force of 4,000 won't deter attacks unless the soldiers are equipped and paid for by the major powers, are given a mandate to protect civilians and are eventually reinforced by 10,000 additional troops from other nations. Yet amid all the talk of oil embargoes, travel bans and asset freezes, no statesman--not Powell and not Annan--has attempted to rally the money, troops and political cooperation needed for such a force.
Bush Administration officials seem to feel that, having used the G word, they have done their part. But the sin of past Presidents is not that they failed to use the word but that then, as now, they failed to stop the crime.