Law to keep state dollars out of Sudan

Those who have known genocide see Ritter sign bill

David Montero, Rocky Mountain News

Friday, April 20, 2007

They gaped and stared, almost unable to believe what they were seeing - a top government official signing a bill into law without fear of retribution or knowing it would be ignored.

They also agreed it could never happen in their country.

"It is easy to carry guns. This . . .," David Mayen said, waving his hand around the Capitol to illustrate democracy, "this is hard."

Mayen, a 36-year-old from southern Sudan, arrived in Colorado just a few months ago.

On Thursday he and other Sudanese went to the Colorado Capitol to watch Gov. Bill Ritter sign a bill that would divest Colorado's largest pension fund from any companies doing business with Sudan - the epicenter for a genocide that has seen more than 200,000 people killed in the Darfur region and turned 2.5 million into refugees.

Sudan's government in Khartoum is accused of arming Muslims from the north and allowing them to raid the Darfur region at will. The Janjaweed, as the fighters are known, are able to terrorize the region because money is still flowing into Khartoum through companies doing business there.

'Best investment decision'

Ritter's signature assures that none of the state's $38.2 billion pension fund will invest with companies helping fund the Janjaweed.

"Ensuring that our pension funds won't be investing in genocide may be the best investment decision we the people of Colorado have ever made," Ritter said.

State Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver, took it a step further, saying the United States should boycott the Summer Olympic Games in China next year if the Chinese don't stop fueling the genocide through heavy investment.

"We can send a powerful message," Groff said.

House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, accused President Bush of not taking enough action to stop the genocide.

On Wednesday, the president spoke at the Holocaust Memorial Museum and threatened to add 29 companies to a Treasury Department list of corporations that will be barred from the U.S. financial system.

"The time for promises is over - President Bashir must act," and agree to a full United Nations peacekeeping force, Bush said.

Romanoff criticized the comments, saying the genocide has been going on for four years under Bush's watch without significant action.

"Frankly, warnings are not enough," Romanoff said. "The time for warnings is over. The time for action is now."

Work goes on elsewhere

Scott Wisor, who first approached Romanoff about six months ago to spearhead the Colorado divestment legislation, wept as he spoke in front of more than 100 people gathered to watch Ritter sign the bill.

Sometimes trembling and his voice hitching, he left many in tears as he spoke about the victims of the genocide.

"We know not what it's like to suffer as you have," Wisor said. "We know not how you remain strong in the face of evil, but we pledge to draw inspiration from your strength. We know not when peace, security and decency will be returned to your land, but we pledge to continue to work until that day comes."

That work will send those gathered Thursday in different directions.

Pastor Heidi McGinness, who works with the Denver chapter of Christian Solidarity International, is headed back to help refugees in camps near the Sudan border.

Wisor will head for Indiana, Kansas and other states still grappling with divestment bills.

And Mayen will leave for Sudan in June, hoping to help shape the 2008 elections - the first elections slated for the country in more than 40 years.

"Today is a miraculous day," Mayen said. "If I can follow in these footsteps and if the world does too, we can end the genocide."

Nearby, Ahmed Ali, whose brother was murdered by -Janjaweed two years ago in Sudan and who still has family there, said he couldn't wait to tell them what had happened Thursday afternoon.

"It is a dream," he said.

The Darfur conflict

• In an Arab-dominated country, Darfur's population is mostly black African. For years, there have been tensions between the mostly African farmers and the mostly Arab herders, who have competed for land.

• The current conflict began in 2003 when rebel groups started attacking government targets. In retaliation, the government launched a military and police campaign in Darfur, located in the western region of Sudan.

2.5 million or more people have since fled their homes. Refugees say government aircraft have been bombing villages, after which the Arab Janjaweed militia ride in on camels and horses to slaughter, rape, steal.

• Estimates of those killed in the conflict range from 200,000 to 400,000.

About Colorado's divestment

9 states besides Colorado have divested themselves of companies invested in Sudan.

$137 million in PERA funds were linked to companies doing business with Sudan as of November.Sources: Bbc News; Sudan Divestment Task Force

monterod@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5236