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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1351 Engrossed in House (EH)]

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                         July 30, 2008.
Whereas on July 8, 2008, 7 peacekeepers serving under the United Nations/African 
        Union Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID) were killed and another 22 
        wounded, including 7 critically, while carrying out UNAMID operations in 
        Sudan in an effort to bring stability and security to the region;
Whereas the attacks on July 8, 2008, were the latest, and most severe, in a 
        string of attacks on UNAMID peacekeepers, which include an attack on 
        June 30, 2008, when 38 peacekeepers were taken hostage by rebels and on 
        April 9, 2008, when a UNAMID police officer was beaten and UNAMID 
        vehicles hijacked;
Whereas on June 25, 2008, the United Nations announced that UNAMID lacked 
        critical resources, including troops, police officers, and air 
        transport, hindering UNAMID's effectiveness;
Whereas the United Nations announcement on June 25, 2008, restated concerns 
        recognized in October 2007, that the shortage of resources could 
        ``jeopardize its efforts to stabilize a region'';
Whereas on July 31, 2007, the United Nations Security Council unanimously 
        adopted Resolution 1769 authorizing the deployment of 26,000 
        peacekeeping troops to the region;
Whereas on December 31, 2007, UNAMID formally assumed control of peacekeeping 
        operations in Darfur, but did so with only approximately 9,000 troops 
        and police on the ground, far short of the necessary levels;
Whereas since that time UNAMID efforts have been thwarted by the Sudanese regime 
        and rebels, including by Khartoum's refusal to cooperate on issues such 
        as the force composition, the authorization of night flights, 
        communications, land access, and visas for staff, as well as its recent 
        threats to force the complete withdrawal of the UNAMID mission;
Whereas government forces, militias, rebels, bandits, and others continue to 
        prey upon the people of Darfur and humanitarian workers, increasing the 
        urgency of both deploying the full complement of peacekeepers and police 
        and reaching a lasting political settlement;
Whereas following attacks on its supply trucks, the World Food Program announced 
        a 50 percent cut in urgently needed food rations in Darfur, despite a 
        United Nations assessment that revealed that acute malnutrition in 
        Darfur increased in 2007, exceeding emergency levels in some regions;
Whereas UNAMID has been hampered not only by obstruction on the part of the 
        regime in Khartoum, but also by the failure of the international 
        community to commit the resources, equipment, aviation and 
        transportation assets, and personnel needed to carry out the 
        peacekeeping mission;
Whereas UNAMID requires the 26,000 troops authorized by United Nations Security 
        Council Resolution 1769 and at least 18 utility helicopters and 6 
        tactical helicopters and crews, among other critical mobility needs that 
        have not been met;
Whereas in a report to the Security Council dated December 24, 2007, the 
        Secretary-General said these helicopters were indispensable and 
        necessary for large distances and rough terrain, and stated, ``Without 
        the missing helicopters, this mobility--a fundamental requirement for 
        the implementation of the UNAMID mandate--will not be possible'';
Whereas a large number of countries possess the military assets that could help 
        to fulfill this requirement;
Whereas the United States continues to lead the world in its contributions to 
        efforts to end the genocide in Darfur, including by providing more than 
        $4.5 billion of assistance since 2004 in response to the Darfur crisis;
Whereas continued failure on the part of the international community to take all 
        steps necessary to generate, deploy, and maintain an effective United 
        Nations and African Union joint peacekeeping force will contribute to 
        the continued loss of life and further degradation of humanitarian 
        infrastructure in Darfur; and
Whereas the success of the mission is dependant upon the support and 
        contributions of Member States and the international community, 
        including by providing the helicopters needed to meet UNAMID's critical 
        mobility capabilities, as well as the will of the parties to the 
        conflict to find a lasting, inclusive, political solution to the crisis: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) condemns in the strongest terms the attack on the United 
        Nations/African Union Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID) peacekeepers 
        and expresses its condolences to the people of Rwanda, Ghana, and 
        Uganda, and to the families and friends of those killed and wounded;
            (2) calls for the parties responsible for these heinous attacks to 
        be brought to justice;
            (3) expresses its commitment to the Darfuri people;
            (4) expresses support for UNAMID and the UNAMID peacekeepers;
            (5) deplores the efforts of the regime in Khartoum to manipulate and 
        obstruct the deployment of a credible peacekeeping force, including the 
        recent threats by Khartoum to force the complete withdrawal of the 
        mission;
            (6) urges the President to continue to personally intervene by 
        contacting other heads of government and asking them to contribute the 
        aircraft and crews for the Darfur mission;
            (7) urges the Department of State to organize a special meeting of 
        the United Nations Security Council, the Friends of UNAMID working 
        group, and the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations to 
        resolve outstanding force resource and equipment issues;
            (8) urges the members of the international community, including the 
        United States, to contribute the resources necessary to ensure the 
        success of UNAMID, including tactical and utility helicopters; and
            (9) calls upon the parties to the conflict in Darfur to immediately 
        commit to and respect a binding cessations of hostilities agreement and 
        seize upon the opportunity that has been afforded by the deployment of 
        UNAMID to find a political solution to the crisis in Darfur.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.
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