bush's "plan b" on darfur: how you can help

Last month, the White House announced plans that would impose sanctions on the Sudanese government if they failed to allow U.N. peacekeeping forces to be deployed into the genocide-torn Darfur region of that country.

"I made clear that the time for promises is over," President Bush said at a press conference. He later said that the sanctions would cut the Sudanese government off of financial aid from the United States while calling the world's attention to their crimes.

According to Colleen Connors of the Save Darfur Coalition, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will attend "a meeting about Darfur with top officials from the U.S., China, France and other key nations" this coming Monday.

The Bush administration took a desperately-needed first step last month when it announced its "Plan B" sanctions against the Sudanese government. Now Secretary Rice must use this meeting with French, Chinese and other leaders to increase the pressure on Sudanese President Bashir.

This kind of opportunity may only come along once. The United States, China and France must seize this chance to lead.

The people of Darfur have waited more than four years for world leaders to make a concerted effort to end the violence. Secretary Rice must make sure Monday's meeting in Paris marks the beginning of sustained, unified world diplomacy.

You can take action to help this cause by sending a note to Secretary Rice asking her "to use this opportunity to convince China and France to join forces with the U.S. on Darfur."

It's time for the world to wake up and we can help to make it happen. Please act now.