The New York Circle group of Refugees International conducted its fall 2004 briefing on October 14.  The event featured former US Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. Ambassador Holbrooke recently returned from a fact finding mission to Darfur, Sudan accompanied by Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ).  They co-authored an op-ed piece in the Washington Post on their mission.  Earlier, Ambassador Holbrooke and RI President Ken Bacon placed an op-ed in the Boston Globe, “Death’s Grip on Darfur.” Both pieces highlighted the serious human rights and humanitarian situation in Darfur and recommended greater diplomatic and financial support to the African Union’s efforts to stop the violence.

Over 100 guests assembled at the Union Club in New York to hear Ambassador Holbrooke conduct a discussion on Darfur. A question and answer period followed the discussion.  Trish Malloch Brown, a fellow board member, introduced the Ambassador, while Ken Bacon provided the closing remarks.

Typical of a Refugees International event, Ambassador Holbrooke’s remarks covered much more than a description of the horrible humanitarian situation in Darfur.  The Ambassador provided a thorough review of how the situation arose, who the main players are and what are the continuing problems.  More importantly, the guests heard specific actions that needed to be taken in order to address this humanitarian disaster as well as a discussion concerning whether the abuses in Darfur constituted genocide. While agreeing with the Administration that the atrocities constitute genocide by the government of Sudan and their allied militias, Ambassador Holbrooke expressed concern that applying the term genocide to the situation had not yet resulted in effective remedial action.

The Host Committee for the event was Mark and Trish Malloch Brown, Raffiq Nathoo and Michele Balfour, Steve and Sally Paridis, Rob and Betsy Pitts, and Gary and Peta Roubin.  Trish, Sally and Peta are all RI board members while Michele is RI’s special representative in New York.  We wish to give special thanks to the following people for their generous support: Lisa Endlich and John Heffernan (Platinum Sponsor) and W. Braun Jones, Jr, (Gold Sponsor and RI board member).  Silver Sponsors included Kim Atwater and Andrew Moses, Irwin J. Horwith, Judy and Martin Kreston, Paul and Pamela Salvatore, and Mr. and Mrs. Mark Reiner. 

The New York Circle is a group of concerned New Yorkers interested in learning more about the issues that cause and surround displacement and in supporting the lifesaving advocacy work of Refugees International.  If you are interested in learning more about this group, please contact Antonia Blackwood at the Washington, DC headquarters of Refugees International at 202-828-0110.