Missed Opportunity Posted by Derek Chollet

In today's Oval Office press availability with South African President Mbeki, President Bush uttered, apparently for the first time, that what is happening in Darfur is genocide (he had only "said" such in a written statement issued last year). He was also asked what he thought of the poll discussed below showing the American people's overwhelming support for stronger action to end the genocide in Darfur.  Here's the exchange in full:

Q:   And, Mr. President, on the issue of Darfur, Sudan, a new survey came out by the Zogby International Poll that finds 84 percent of Americans polled feel that the U.S. should not tolerate an extremist government committing such attacks and should use its military assets, short of using military combat troops on the ground to protect civilians there.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Let me first say something. We are working with NATO to make sure that we are able to help the AU put combat troops there. And as a part of that, I believe a transport plane of ours, for example, will be a part of this mission.

I think later on today I'm going to speak to the Prime Minister of Canada, who has also been very strong about dealing with Darfur, and I will thank him for his contributions.

Ok.  Thanks are in order.  But how about asking for more?  Seems like a missed opportunity.  In addition to Mbeki and the Candian PM, Bush also talked about Darfur today with the NATO Secretary General.  Deputy Secretary of State Zoellick is on his way to Darfur now.  Let's hope this is the beginning of something...

Comments

[Jeff Owen]

"As you know, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, with my concurrence, declared the situation a genocide." ... "I believe a transport plane of ours, for example, will be a part of this mission."

George Bush: a cowboy AND a Christian.

What amazes me is that the Dems aren't making much noise about Sudan when action is the right thing to do, it's popular, and Bush killed the Accountability Act. Is Shrum in charge of this?

[M. Simon]

Jews in America often speak out re: policy towards Israel.

Why are blacks in America indifferent towards Africa?

Perhaps they are not African-Americans after all.

[qxacutd isfjtm]

nkeshqwr xfgtavr whoqpnx jgicxlaut tmhgpy ewzjbxhs qicphz