Below is the official LIDAG letter; we will use in our Letter Writing Campaign. Please copy this letter, adding your name and address, sign it and send it to your local government officials. You may use this letter to send to the President, cabinet members, congress and senate members. Email it, snail mail it, post it on your blog, facebook or myspace it, let's get this letter circulating!

Here is a good website to get your representatives contact info; http://www.votesmart.org/

Dear

As important as the troubled economy and other foreign policy issues may be at this time, it is also a crucial time for the people of Darfur who have waited and watched their women systematically raped and killed, children starve each day of delay and an impotent West has been paralyzed in any attempts to save them from this Genocide. During the presidential campaign, president-elect Obama pledged to "make ending the genocide in Darfur a priority from Day One," of his new administration.

Here we outline the steps that the Obama administration and YOU should take to fulfill that commitment. Most generally, it is time for the United States and the international community to stop attempting to "manage" this conflict through half-measures and instead undertake bold initiatives to push for peace for Darfur. Genocide in slow motion remains genocide. Bold steps will require a "peace surge" by the new administration: strong American leadership and full-scale use of diplomatic resources can create a peace process that would finally achieve a breakthrough which ends the conflict. Any successful effort will also require a comprehensive approach to address the multitude of other challenges which face Darfuri civilians and act as impediments to peace.

We therefore, call on YOU and President Obama to fulfill his pledges by acting swiftly and decisively on Darfur upon assuming office. The president-elect and his administration should use the full powers and influence of the United States government to:
Energize efforts, through a peace surge, to create an inclusive peace process to
Resolve the conflict in Darfur and create a sustainable peace for all Sudan;

Immediate appointment of a high-level envoy to Sudan in the new administration to press for diplomatic progress;

A ban on offensive military flights and enforcement of that ban;

Strong multilateral sanctions;

Ensure the full and effective deployment of a peace keeping force that actively protects Darfuri;

Provide necessary humanitarian aid and push for unfettered humanitarian access to ensure the survival of Darfuri civilians;

Actively seek justice for the people of Darfur and hold the perpetrators of the genocide to account;

A press conference in the first hundred days of the administration to address the genocide in Darfur;

Support increasing the international affairs account (also known as the 150 account) by 10% by 2010.


Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.

Sincerely yours,




Long Island Darfur Action Group