03 Khartoum 1061

03 Khartoum 1060

Journal Entry for December 10, 2003

Just back from a British reception. (Last night it was German.) Spent a good deal of it talking about Darfur with colleagues. We are all growing concerned about the conflict there. The government is using the same tactics of bombing civilians and arming militias that they used in the south. We westerners have been holding back from confronting the government because of the peace process with the SPLM but the west is getting bad and escalating. UN estimates 600,000 displaced and another 400,000 affected by the war, such as not having food because they could not plant or harvest this year. We have been reporting this but have not been alarmist. We're thinking that maybe we now need to sound some alarms or risk having stood by during genocide.

Back to Sudan: 03 Khartoum 1049 plus journal entry

From my December 8 journal entry: Well, on top of the historic visit of the (Christian/animist) SPLM to Khartoum now unfolding, Franklin Graham (son of Billy) is here to give out Xmas gifts. The Christians have landed. Just came back from dinner in his honor given by the (Islamic) government. Rev. Graham gave a very nice speech at dinner showing faith, cultural sensitivity and understanding. Very sincere man. I told him that I saw his father preach in Madison Square Garden many years ago. He said his father will give his last "talk" there next year. (Must mean he is retiring, not ascending.) Tomorrow morn, I go with him to the airport to see the big Russian plane deliver the presents. So far no one has asked me to actually pray.

Cuban Interlude Three: Some Photos

These are photos from my 1983 trip to Cuba discussed in my previous posting. They include views of Havana (including street scenes), the Moncada (check out the bullet holes), and the interior.