Fredericksburg.com - DARFUR >> HERE'S HOW VIRGINIA CAN HELP
Show All

search local
Follow us on Twitter Find us on Facebook

Get a printer-friendly version of this page. E-mail this story to a friend.
Make a post about this story on FredTalk.

DARFUR >> HERE'S HOW VIRGINIA CAN HELP
Using divestment to help Darfur
Date published: 1/30/2007

Divestment option

AMERICANS HAVE WATCHED in frustration the tragedy unfolding in Darfur. Since 2003, at least 400,000 people have been killed and over 2.5 million displaced. Women have been raped and children orphaned under the reign of terror imposed by the Sudanese government-supported Janjaweed militia. Despite huffing and puffing from the U.N. and a diagnosis of "genocide" from the Bush administration, diplomatic measures have failed.

Now a movement to hit the recalcitrant Sudanese government where it hurts--in its coffers--is gathering steam. Colleges, universities, and at least six states have decided to divest from companies trading with Sudan. Virginia can join in. Senate Bill 1331 would require the Virginia Retirement System to divest itself of investments in eight foreign companies that do substantial business in Sudan. These funds represent only 0.2 percent of the VRS portfolio and there is a bail-out provision.

Shifting investments is something Virginia can do to help the suffering Darfurians. Senate Bill 1331 deserves a solid hearing--and an "aye" vote.



Date published: 1/30/2007



Comments guidelines

1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
2. Please avoid offensive, vulgar, abusive, hateful or defamatory language.
3. Read and follow THE RULES.
4. We will block violaters and ban repeat offenders.








The Free Lance-Star fredericksburg.com 93.3 WFLS Print Innovators Classic Rock 96.9 99.3 The Vibe wntx radio
Copyright 2012, The Free Lance-Star Publishing Co. of Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA
Permissions - Privacy Policy - Send email to Support Staff - Send email to the News Team
To contact all other newspaper departments, please click here or call 540-374-5000.
To contact the Free Lance–Star please use the following numbers:
Main Switchboard: 540-374-5000, Advertising: 540-374-5460, Classifieds: 540-374-5001, Subscriber Services: 540-374-5002, Toll-free:800-877-0500