China and Sudan: A Defining Moment
Editor’s note: Mia Farrow and Ronan Farrow, who were instrumental in starting up the "genocide Olympics" campaign, have offered these words.
Without question this is a a defining moment for each of us, and a deeply consequential one for the people of Darfur and eastern Chad. Responsible leaders and citizens alike should think carefully as to how they might best use their leverage with China. The successful staging of the 2008 Beijing Olympic games have proven to be a lone point of leverage with a country that has thus far been impervious to criticism. Those who have Peking’s ear in the lead-up to the Games and those underwriting the ceremony–the corporate sponsors–must step up and do their part.
McDonalds, Johnson & Johnson, Coca-Cola, General Electric, Visa and Microsoft should join the ranks of responsible individuals protesting the Games. These companies should publicly express concern, and do their utmost to persuade Beijing to actively seek security for the people of Darfur.
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How and why did you become an overnight expert on Darfur?What do you know about its and Sudan’s history ?
You may be a celebrity in the USA and Europe ; but next to nothing is known about you in Sudan.We see you as a misguided individual with delusions ( and maybe some good intentions too) . This is not your league . You understand the crisis in Darfur in a simplistic manner which does not recognise the complexity of the background .I would sincerely advise you to do the following:
1- Read at least one book about the Sudan.I recommend any book by academics who know the Sudan like Peter Woodward ,Tim Niblock ,Peter Bechtold or Yusuf Fadl Hassan.
2- Read at least one book about Darfur.I recommend Dr David Hoile’s revised book on Darfur.
3- Read the text of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005.
4-Read the text of the Darfur Peace of Agreement of 2006 which the Sudanese Government signed .It was brokered by the West.Most rebels refused to sign.
5-Read a copy of the Sudanese Fact -finding mission’s Repotrt on Darfur which
reached the conclusion that all sides in the conflict are guilty of atrocities.
6-Read Human Rights Watch’s statement(Washington Post 11 July 08)maintaining that what happened in Darfur was not genocide.
7- Read a book about political economy and you might understand that
strategic and economical interests are relevant to those who fan the flames in Darfur. Reginal and international players are not mere spectators.They are not interested ONLY in the welfare of the people of Darfur .
8-Ask yourself:why does’nt Save Darfur coalition send help to the people of Darfur .The money is used to demonise the Sudan’s government.
9-Ask yourself:why is anti-Arab prejudice acceptable?Why is anti Islamic prejudice acceptable? Some argue that both lurk behind anti Sudanese campaigns in which you participate. Do You blame them?
10-Read my pamphlet Media War on Darfur (08)
11-Read many of the comments in “Making Sense of Darfur”
12- Read what General Martin Luther Agwai has said about the rebels(that they are not saints and that pressure should be brought to bear on both sides
not on the government only)
We bear no ill feelings towards you because we sincerely believe that your good intensions are manipulated by others who have hidden agenda .When you know the facts you will act differently.
The situation is very tricky in Darfur nowadays. We need an agreement between the two sides for sure. I agree with the you!