WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry released the following statement today after the Administration announced the appointment of Ambassador Dane Smith as Special Advisor for Darfur:
“I am pleased Special Envoy Scott Gration today announced the appointment of Ambassador Dane Smith as Special Advisor for Darfur. No one should doubt America’s commitment to helping create conditions for peace and security in Darfur. The presence of Ambassador Smith, a seasoned American diplomat who will be based in the region, represents an important addition to the U.S. diplomatic team. While we are rightly focused on the need to help North and South Sudan hold a successful referendum on January 9 and on the need to fulfill the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, peace in Darfur is also essential for Sudan’s future.”
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