Fido the Yak

The Washington Post reports that the House Appropriations Committee killed a $50 million request to fund the African Union peacekeeping mission in Sudan (ht Coalition for Darfur). Here is the language from the conference report on the 2006 Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Act:

The conference agreement does not include a provision proposed by the Senate (section 6119) that transferred $50,000,000 to the FMF account for assistance to support the African Union Mission in Sudan. While the conference agreement does not include additional funds for this Mission in Sudan, the Administration should expeditiously submit a request for any necessary funding.

Why on earth would the Committee think that this was appropriate? Without increased funding for more troops, better equipment, better logistical and technical support, and a strong, clear mandate to protect civilians, the African Union mission will surely fail. Could a failure of this mission possibly be in our national interests? It's way past the point of saying "Put up or shut up." Congress and the administration have already committed the United States to preventing genocide in Darfur. There can be no backtracking or evasion without consequences. To fail in this will entail a loss of credibility and stature. Honor and decency seem to be on the chopping block as well.

posted by Fido the Yak at 2:48 PM.