As the UN sits on its hands, Thousands Die in Darfur

The United Nations is very close to proving Bush administration claims of its irrelevance to be justified. The UN has done virtually nothing to create peace in the Darfur region of the Sudan, where the Janjaweed, an Arab militia backed by the Sudanese government, has initiated a campaign of ethnic cleansing over the past year and a half.

Almost 2 million citizens have fled their homes in the region, and 10,000 people have been killed. On top of this, Dr. David Nabarro of the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 70, 000 deaths in the last 7 months in temporary refugee camps caused by extremely poor living conditions in the camps. Dr. Nabarro said the mortality rate in the camps will not fall unless the internation- al community provides more funding.

In his report to the UN, he criticized the world community, stating, "If the plight of these people in Darfur is as important to the international community as it seems to be then we would have expected more long- term support.”

Sudanese boy in the Koumouangou r camp in Chad near the Sudan border. (AP photo)

Source: CBCNews

Security Council has spent the last six months debating the legal definition of the word ‘genocide'. Despite naming Darfur the world's worst present humanitarian situation, the UN has not invoked sanctions against the government of Sudan. China, one of Sudan's principle trading partners, was able to water down an American proposal that the UN ‘will take’ punitive action (most likely oil sanctions), to have it state the UN ‘shall con- sider’ punitive action. Petty politics in the UN appear to have a greater priority than the lives lost in Darfur.

While the UN has sat on its hands for the past 18 months, 80,000 have died as a result of the conflict and 1.8 million people have fled their homes. The WHO expects 6,000 to

10,000 deaths each month the conflict lingers. The UN has failed not only to inter- vene to insure ethnic cleansing ceases, but has also failed to provide sufficient financial aid to house the refugees, who are dying at an alarming rate. Considering these facts, ‘irrelevant’ sure sounds like an appropriate

Source: CBC News

Instead of providing more support, the UN

UPEI Campus Master Plan - Second Open House seas ir ag a RS RR RR Ba RS ST CTE ER The University of Prince Edward Island is growing and changing rapidly as it strengthens its role as a vital centre of knowledge and _ Alll Islanders are invited to an informal presentation & Open House where updated concepts of the Master Plan will be presented on

large-scale displays. A short presentation will be made at 7:15p.m.,

learning for PEI !!!

The University is preparing a Campus Plan that will guide the evo- lution and growth of the Campus over the next twenty years. This plan will provide answers to questions such as:

- Where should new buildings go?

- What should open spaces look like on Campus? Where should

they be located?

- How can access to the Campus be improved?

and consultants and staff will be available for discussions and ‘questions throughout the evening.

Your input is important to ensure that UPEI continues to play a cen-

tral role in the development of the Island’s future.

Where: W.A. Murphy Student Centre Courtyard - On Univesity

Avenue, south of the new CARI Facility When: Monday, November 8, 2004, 7:00 — 9:00 p.m.

Contact: Dianne MacLean, Office of the Vice-President, Finance

and Facilities, (902) 566-0623

- How can the University be more welcoming to the Community?

UPEI Cadre September 14, 2004 page 6