CNN: NM Gov. Bill Richardson heads to Sudan on diplomatic trip requested by Save Darfur Coalition

[DeepModem Mom]

Friday, January 05, 2007
Richardson heads to Sudan

WASHINGTON -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said Thursday he is heading to Sudan on a diplomatic trip that would add to his extensive international experience as he prepares to announce whether he will run for president.

Richardson will try to meet with Sudanese officials and persuade them to accept a peacekeeping force in the war-torn Darfur region, according to a statement from his office. He is to arrive Sunday after traveling overnight and plans to travel to Darfur.

Sudan's president, Omar al-Bashir, has rejected a U.N. Security Council resolution that provides for bolstering the poorly funded and equipped 7,000-troop African Union force to about 22,000 peacekeepers under U.N. leadership. The nonprofit Save Darfur Coalition requested Richardson's help because of his long relationship with Bashir and is paying for the trip.

Richardson, a Democrat who was U.N. ambassador and energy secretary in the Clinton administration, would have one of the most impressive foreign policy resumes if he decides to run for president....

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2007/01/richardson-heads-to-sudan.html

[applegrove]

1. His foreign policy credentials are second to none. Thank god for Save

Darfur and Richardson. I hope it works.

[Warpy]

2. He's successfully negotiated there, before

While I wouldn't like to see Richardson as president, I'd love to see him a Secretary of State, where his skill would have a chance of repairing some of the damage caused by Powell, Rice, and Bolton.

[applegrove]

3. Yes secretary of state. I'd also like to see him as President..as he

is a true adult and you in the USA..so badly need one. Don't know all his policy platform. And I am Canadian so I have no say. But yes..he is an impressive politician. Very few like him out there.

[DeepModem Mom]

4. I've seen him in action, at a benefit dinner. He's gregarious --

a great politician. He had an audience in which Republicans far outnumbered Democrats completely engaged. And was, of course, informed and articulate.

[Warpy]

6. He's a DLC conservative

pro corporate and anti labor.

No thanks. I live in his state.

[applegrove]

7. That's a shame.

[phusion]

5. I have a feeling...

that if a democrat is elected in '08, Gov. Richardson will be in a cabinet position (hopefully sec. of state).

I hope he can succeed in Sudan...

[applegrove]

8. Yes I hope he works magic in Sudan.

[ellisonz]

9. Seconded.

But unfortunately, I'm pessimistic, the Sudanese regime is one of the most backwards and dogmatic in the world.