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Letter of the President of the Republic of Slovenia to Presidents and Secretary-Generals of the biggest world organisations
Ljubljana, 01/06/2006 | press release
President of the Republic of Slovenia Dr Janez Drnovšek sent a letter concerning the situation in Darfur to US president George Bush, Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi A. Annan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Austria Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, President of the Republic of Austria Dr. Heinz Fischer, President of the French Republic Jacques Chirac, President of the Republic of Italy Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Tony Blair, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union Javier Solana Madariaga, President of the People's Republic of China Hu Jintao, Prime Minister of Canada Paul Martin, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, President of the Republic of Germany Horst Köhler, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel, Prime Minister of Japan Junichiro Koizumi, Secretary General NATO Headquarters Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, President of the Federal republic of Nigeria&Chairperson of the African Union Olusegun Obasanjo and Chairperson of the Commission African Union Headquarters Alpha Oumar Konare.
In his letter President Dr Drnovšek wrote:
"Allow me to bring to your attention a humanitarian tragedy of horrific extent, which the African population in the Sudanese province of Darfur has been suffering since 2003. Despite the efforts of the international community, particularly the African Union and the United Nations Security Council, the suffering of the Sudanese people in Darfur has not been alleviated. Negotiations on a cease-fire and the guaranteeing of humanitarian and security conditions allowing the provision of aid to the displaced population have come to a halt in the past year. The conflicting parties show no willingness to continue the dialogue and to appease the crisis. Violence is proliferating. The number of those killed, murdered, raped and driven from their homes is reaching terrifying proportions. Contagious diseases are spreading and over a million people are on the run. At the end of last year the first victims were recorded among members of the African Union's AMIS peacekeeping mission, who are to provide security and protection for the displaced population. The violence perpetrated by savage hordes, robberies of humanitarian convoys, water and food poisonings have all led to the withdrawal of representatives of the United Nations and of humanitarian organisations who are trying their utmost to help the population in distress. According to unofficial information, approximately 300,000 people, mainly women and children, are reportedly without humanitarian care. In the second half of December the crisis in Darfur reached a new, international dimension. It has dangerously spread to the neighbouring Republic of Chad whose president has informed the African Union that his country is at war with the Sudan and has called the people of the Chad to organised defence.
The situation is truly an alarming one and allows for no complacency or lack of resolve on the part of the international community. The international community must get organised and provide the distressed population with effective humanitarian aid within the shortest delay and prevent any and all violence against civilians. Human life and a humane living environment are values that the entire international community must embrace in the 21st century. It should indeed do everything in its power to prevent violence and privation.
It is because of all that we watch with horror taking place in Darfur that I request and call on You to wield your influence and reputation in the international community to prevent further tragedy in the province and to ensure a rapid, consolidated and effective response on the part of the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union, the G-8 and other international organisations in that region of the Sudan with a view to preventing an escalation of the conflict and guaranteeing the distribution of humanitarian aid to the tragedy stricken population.
I also believe that the time has come to convene an international conference on the crisis in Darfur in order to restore the confidence of the people of the Sudan in international institutions and to offer the Sudan and Darfur a more lasting prospect of peace, development and security. Such a conference could be convened by the African Union and the European Union as well as the United Nations, with an active role played by the G-8.
I should also like to avail myself of this opportunity to inform you that I intend to visit the republic of the Sudan and the Republic of Chad on February in my capacity as President of the Republic of Slovenia and to hand over to the population in Darfur our modest contribution to humanitarian aid. I should be honoured if You personally, Your country or organisation would endorse and join in this humanitarian initiative."
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Office of the President of the Republic
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