Statement by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on Today's Security Council Discussion of Sudan Sanctions

Susan E. Rice
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 
U.S. Mission to the United Nations 

New York, NY

December 15, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In light of the dire situation in Sudan, the United Nations Security Council must use all the tools at its disposal in pursuit of our common goal of ending the suffering in Darfur.

The United States condemns the blatant disregard for the arms embargo by all parties to the conflict, the continued sexual and gender based violence, and the sustained aerial bombings by the Government of Sudan, as reported by the 1591 Sanctions Committee. 

Political progress, stability in Darfur, and UNAMID’s effectiveness are undermined by consistent violations of the arms embargo, increased cross border attacks, recruitment of child soldiers, and the use of militarized civilian vehicles. Better implementation of the arms embargo could significantly reduce the flow of arms to all sides in the Darfur conflict.  The use of targeted sanctions can give peace mediators a tool to marginalize spoilers. UN sanctions can and should be an important element of the international community's efforts to support peace and security.  

The United States supports the Panel and will continue to safeguard its independence. While we recognize that the Sanctions Committee must operate on the basis of consensus and that there are times when Governments may not fully agree with its findings, we must preserve the valuable role that expert groups have played for a decade in helping the Council monitor and implement its decisions. 

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