Find Helicopters for Darfur

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1769 authorized UNAMID, a 26,000 member peacekeeping force to help protect the people of Darfur. UNAMID deployment is a critical step towards ending the tragedy in Sudan. But five months after its authorization, the UNAMID force has barely begun to deploy, leaving the people of Darfur without security or protection.

While Sudan's obstruction has been the primary obstacle to UNAMID's rapid and effective deployment, the nations of this world also share direct responsibility for this failure. No nation has stepped forward to provide any of the 24 helicopters that everyone agrees are essential for UNAMID to be successful.

Fill out the form below to add your name to an urgent petition asking President Bush to lead an effort to find these helicopters for the UNAMID force.

Subject:

Dear President Bush,

(Edit Letter Below)

Five months ago, the United States supported the passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1769 authorizing a 26,000-member peacekeeping force to help protect the people of Darfur. Unfortunately, that force has not yet been effectively deployed.

While Sudanese obstructionism is mainly to blame for the delay, the United States and other governments have not done enough to make the deployment possible. One major obstacle has been the absence of helicopters to support the mission.

I write today to urge the U.S. to do whatever is necessary to ensure that the international force secures these helicopters. Specifically I ask you to:

1. Use all diplomatic means at your disposal, including your voice and any necessary and reasonable horse-trading, to convince other nations to provide helicopters. Your new special envoy to Sudan should make the international effort to secure and deploy helicopters a top priority of his first days on the job.

2. Establish, with other developed nations a fund for the operation and maintenance of the helicopters. This fund will encourage nations who can contribute the necessary helicopters, but who lack the ability to finance their deployment.

Thank you for your leadership on this urgent matter.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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