Sudan: Darfur Violence

Sudan: Darfur Violence

The United States strongly condemns the attack on African Union mission personnel on October 8 near Menawashi, South Darfur. Our sympathies are with the families of the Nigerian peacekeepers and local Sudanese drivers killed in the incident. The United States equally condemns the detainment of African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) personnel, including a U.S. citizen, near Tine, North Darfur on October 9.

Initial indications point to two Darfur rebel groups, the Sudan Liberation Movement and a faction of the Justice and Equality Movement, respectively, as responsible for these attacks. These attacks run counter to the rebels’ professed interest in negotiating a political settlement in Darfur. Violence will not bolster the negotiating position of any party in the Abuja peace talks, will not earn any group enhanced contacts with the United States, and will not gain any faction a seat at the negotiating table.

The United States reiterates its unequivocal support for the African Union with respect to its mission in Darfur and its mediation of the Abuja talks. We are in contact with leaders of the Sudanese government and Darfur rebel groups to urge them to stop the violence and return to the peace talks in Abuja. The United States is also in contact with the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union, and other governments in the region to coordinate our efforts to end the violence in Darfur.

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer and Special Representative for Sudan Roger Winter will both travel to Sudan in the next two weeks to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and to push for resolution of the crisis in Darfur in order to help build a stable and unified Sudan.

2005/931 Released on October 10, 2005 Press Statement, Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC, October 10, 2005

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Presidential Message: Yom Kippur, 5766

Presidential Message: Yom Kippur, 5766

Seek the Lord while He may be found, call unto Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6

Yom Kippur is the Sabbath of Sabbaths, the most solemn day of the Jewish calendar. On this day, Jews around the world reflect on their lives and give thanks to God for their many blessings. The Rabbis teach that on Yom Kippur, God holds open the gates of Heaven and listens to every word of every prayer. As those final prayers are shared and the Shofar is sounded, God remembers every name -- those living and those departed. In this moment, we draw near to God, sharing in the wonders of all creation and the miracle of all life.

Yom Kippur teaches us that we merit forgiveness and mercy through repentance, prayer, and acts of charity. May we have the strength to achieve all these things, so that we continue to build a more hopeful Nation and a more peaceful and free world.

Laura and I send our best wishes for a blessed day.

GEORGE W. BUSH

# # # For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, October 11, 2005

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