The Olympic Dream for Darfur

The 2008 Olympic Games, one of the world's most powerful symbols of peace and brotherhood, are a few months away. The fact that China is hosting them reflects your country's increasing influence on the global stage.

With this influence comes responsibility. We are writing to urge you to meet your responsibilities as a global power and help put an end to genocide in Darfur.

We recognize that China has taken some positive steps for Darfur this year. Most notably, under China's presidency and with its support, the U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 1769, authorizing a hybrid U.N.-African Union peacekeeping force, a crucial step towards peace

But China's current stance toward Darfur and Sudan, viewed in its entirety, is ambiguous at best. Trade between China and Sudan has doubled this year. China has pledged to further its military relationship with Sudan "in every sphere." China's infrastructure aid to the government outweighs its help to the victims in Darfur. This continued backing for Khartoum undermines the effectiveness of your measures to bring peace to Darfur.

Murder, bombings, sexual violence and ethnic cleansing continue in Darfur, as do attacks against humanitarian workers and peacekeepers. And despite the UNAMID mission's long timelines, it has missed its first three deadlines.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban fingered a primary reason for UNAMID's delays: Sudanese obstruction. The lack of sanctions in the U.N. resolution (China helped eliminate proposed sanctions) contribute to Sudan's decision to stonewall.

We call on China to take the following steps to protect the millions of people who have fled their homes in Darfur and face the threat of starvation, disease and rape, as well as the hundreds of thousands still in their homes who are at risk of displacement, torture and death.

1. As a leading member of the Security Council and the G-77, push for the swift recruitment and deployment of the peacekeeping mission authorized by Resolution 1769;

2. Contribute more directly and substantially to UNAMID (beyond the meritorious contribution of military engineers), especially by providing helicopters and heavy transport;

3. Suspend all arms sales and military cooperation with Sudan until the atrocities end;

4. Make clear to Sudan that obstruction of the peace process will damage Sino-Sudanese relations -- including trade and investment;

5. Work with other countries to strengthen the U.N.- and A.U.-led peace process, pressure all parties to participate, and push the Sudanese government to reach a new peace agreement;

6. Provide greater humanitarian assistance to Darfuri victims; and

7. Publicly acknowledge the mass killings, human suffering, and displacement taking place in Darfur.

Mr. President, China's continued economic, military and diplomatic support for Sudan undermines China's achievements towards peace. It is plausible to view China's positive steps as an insincere effort to deflect criticism directed against your country before the 2008 Olympic Games.

The actions outlined above will allow the Chinese government to convince the world that it is truly committed to a peacekeeping role in Darfur and, more importantly, contribute to the end of the suffering of millions of Darfurians.