African American Ledger - May 2007

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President Bush Discusses Genocide in Darfur and Implements Sanctions

"I call on President Bashir to stop his obstruction, and to allow the peacekeepers in, and to end the campaign of violence that continues to target innocent men, women and children. And I promise this to the people of Darfur: The United States will not avert our eyes from a crisis that challenges the conscience of the world."
— President George W. Bush

President George W. Bush announces on May 29, 2007 the expansion and tightening of economic sanctions against the government of Sudan.

"The result is that the dire security situation on the ground in Darfur has not changed. And so today, at my instruction, the United States has taken the steps I announced in April. First, the Department of Treasury is tightening U.S. economic sanctions on Sudan. With this new effort, the United States will more aggressively enforce existing sanctions against Sudan’s government."
— President George W. Bush

President Bush strongly believes that the ongoing genocide in Darfur should not be ignored, and therefore the United States is taking steps to promote peace in Darfur. On May 29th, the Presidents announced U.S. economic sanctions against Sudan that will target against individuals responsible for violence, and finally, the President is directing the Secretary of State to consult with the United Kingdom and other allies on a new United Nations Security Council Resolution. President Bush promises that the United States will continue to push for UN support for African Union Peacekeepers and for a quick transition to a UN-African Union Force.

"For too long, the people of Darfur have suffered at the hands of a government that is complicit in the bombing, murder, and rape of innocent civilians. My administration has called these actions by their rightful name: genocide. The world has a responsibility to help put an end to it."
— President George Bush

President Bush Announces Five-Year, $30 Billion HIV/AIDS Plan

"The First Lady and I share a passion. We believe strongly that to whom much is given, much is required. Much has been given to the United States of America. Therefore, I believe strongly, as does she, that much is required of us in helping solve this problem." — President George W. Bush

[pic here] President Bush announced his new plan to battle global HIV/AIDS. He plans to work with Congress to reauthorize the United States leadership against HIV/AIDS with the 2003 PEPFAR, or President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. PEPFAR was announced in the 2003 State of the Union Address, which contained a 5 year and $15 billion plan to support treatment for 2 million people, prevention of 7 million new infections, and care for 10 million people. And as of today, PEPFAR is on track. Because the PEPFAR plan ends in 2008, President Bush is asking Congress for "continuing commitment" to HIV/AIDS prevention for another 5 years.

"The statistics and dollar amounts I’ve cited in the fight against HIV/AIDS are significant. But the scale of this effort is not measured in numbers. This is really a story of the human spirit and the goodness of human hearts. Once again, the generosity of the American people is one of the great untold stories of our time. Our citizens are offering comfort to millions who suffer, and restoring hope to those who feel forsaken." —President George W. Bush

[pic here] "Similar success stories are playing out all across the African continent where victims of HIV/AIDS are finding new reservoirs of strength and support. Villages in Africa now talk of the Lazarus effect, dying communities being brought back to life, thanks to the compassion of the American people. This is the impact that has made our emergency plan and the modern-day good Samaritans who are implementing it so effective. It’s important that we continue the work we have begun."

— President George W. Bush