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Bush Urges Nations to Curb Darfur Fighting

He vows $100M for peacekeeping during visit to Rwanda

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 19, 2008 7:22 PM CST
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(Newser) – Halfway through his African tour, President Bush stopped in Rwanda today and honored the 800,000 killed in the country's 1994 genocide, the AFP reports. He also vowed $100 million to help curb Darfur fighting and urged other nations to do the same, but he defended his choice not to send troops there. "I'm comfortable with the decision I made," he said.

"I'm not comfortable" with the speed of worldwide aid to the region, he added. He called UN efforts in Darfur "very bureaucratic, particularly with people suffering," and slammed countries that do not impose sanctions on Sudan—likely a jab at China, which supports Khartoum. Bush also toured a Rwanda genocide memorial and signed an investment treaty with President Paul Kagame.

President Bush poses with Rwandan dancers during a dedication ceremony of the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Bush poses with Rwandan dancers during a dedication ceremony of the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   (Associated Press)
President Bush has a word with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a dedication ceremony of the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. At left is first lady Laura Bush. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Bush has a word with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a dedication ceremony of the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. At left is first lady Laura Bush. (AP Photo/Charles...   (Associated Press)
President Bush and Rwandan President Paul Kagame meet Rwandan peace keeping soldiers who served in Darfur, Sudan, Tuesday, Feb. 19,2008, in Kigali, Rwanda. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Bush and Rwandan President Paul Kagame meet Rwandan peace keeping soldiers who served in Darfur, Sudan, Tuesday, Feb. 19,2008, in Kigali, Rwanda. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   (Associated Press)
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush meet students at the Lycee De Kigali, in Kigali, Rwanda, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, which provides AIDS awareness education programs. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush meet students at the Lycee De Kigali, in Kigali, Rwanda, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, which provides AIDS awareness education programs. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   (Associated Press)
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush watch students from the Anti-AIDS Club at the Lycee De Kigali, which provides AIDS awareness education programs, perform a play promoting abstinence, Tuesday, Feb. 19,2008, in Kigali, Rwanda. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush watch students from the "Anti-AIDS Club" at the Lycee De Kigali, which provides AIDS awareness education programs, perform a play promoting abstinence, Tuesday,...   (Associated Press)
President Bush is greeted by Ghana's President John Kufuor upon the president's arrival in Accra, Ghana, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Bush is greeted by Ghana's President John Kufuor upon the president's arrival in Accra, Ghana, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   (Associated Press)
President Bush holds a fur covered staff which he received as a gift from students during a visit to the Lycee De Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, which provides AIDS awareness education programs in Kigali, Rwanda. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Bush holds a fur covered staff which he received as a gift from students during a visit to the Lycee De Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, which provides AIDS awareness education...   (Associated Press)
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush visit a classroom with participants who have completed the parent-child communication program at the Lycee De Kigali, which provides AIDS awareness education programs, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, in Kigali, Rwanda. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush visit a classroom with participants who have completed the parent-child communication program at the Lycee De Kigali, which provides AIDS awareness education programs,...   (Associated Press)
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Bush criticizes slow UN response on Darfur
Reuters

Bush sees effects of African AIDS policy
Time

Bush says global community must 'confront evil' in Darfur
Associated Press

 
Darfur • genocide • Crisis in Darfur • Rwanda • George W. Bush

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