Governor-General's statement on Darfur (UN Resolution 1769 )

-- Virtual Pensacola

The Government and People of the Dominion of British West Florida are pleased that the United Nations is finally taking action to help resolve the Darfur Crises. At least 200,000 people have been killed in four years of fighting in the region and more than two million have been displaced.

We are pleased that the Sovereignty of Sudan is respected in the resolution authorizing the deployment of personal on this humanitarian mission. The restrictions on the actions of the military forces deployed by the United Nations are real, but the compromise reached seems to address the needs of the Protective Forces and the interests of Sudan.

We are encouraged that the force will be a joint United Nations African Union effort. Far too often the United Nations has acted as if it were the sole body committed to peace and security, the historic joint action may pave the way for more UN support of local and regional efforts in the future.

We extend heartfelt thanks to the Government and People of Indonesia for their willingness to help. Indonesia has shown again, as it did with the UN force on the Lebanon / Israel border, that Muslim Nations can very effectively work within the established international bodies to work for peace. Indonesia's leadership, courage, and compassion speak well for Indonesia, its peoples, and the faith taught by Mohammad.

We are equally thankful to all the other nations that are supporting and contributing to the protect force. It will be made up virtually entirely of African nations supported by troops from the usual developing countries that make up such missions – Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Morocco. The efforts of these nations, with limited resources, and pressing needs at home to help others in worse circumstance should cause all those in the wealthier developed nations to review their priorities. The example set by France and the Kingdom of Denmark should be considered by others in the west.

As our Lord has said, and is taught by many other faith traditions: “Blessed be the Peacemakers”.