As noted earlier by my colleague Howard Salter, President Bush announced new sanctions against the Sudanese government today in response to Sudan's continued support for attacks in Darfur. Today's announcement marked Bush's implementation of the Administration's infamous "Plan B" of action against the Sudanese government.

As of 8:00am this morning, 31 new companies have been added to the Department of Treasury's "Specially Designated Nationals" list, which effectively bans those companies from the U.S. financial system and blocks their financial assets. Bush also implemented targeted individual sanctions against three individuals in Sudan -- two government officials and a rebel leader. These sanctions make any transactions with these companies or individuals a criminal offense, as it is a felony to violate the sanctions. In addition, Bush directed the Secretary of State to help author a new U.N. Security Council Resolution with an expanded arms embargo, new multilateral sanctions, and a possible multilateral no-fly zone.

Don't get me wrong - it was great to finally see our president follow up his rhetoric on Darfur with concrete action. This is the second time in a month that President Bush spoke on Darfur, and both times he expressed his strong commitment to the Darfuri people and to influencing the Government of Sudan to change its behavior. In fact, I was glad to see President Bush naming some multilateral actions the U.S. will take in addition to the new unilateral sanctions:

"At the same time, we will continue to push for U.N. support, including funding for the African Union peacekeepers who remain the only force in Darfur that is protecting the people. We will continue to work for the deployment of a larger hybrid force of AU and U.N. peacekeeping troops. We will continue to support the diplomacy of U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. We will continue to insist on the full implementation of the Darfur peace agreement. We will continue to promote a broadly supported and inclusive political settlement that is the only long-term solution to the crisis in Darfur."

But as much as Bush seems to be stepping up his efforts, he still sends a weak and incomplete message. We know from experience that the Government of Sudan will listen and change its behavior only when we follow through on our threats in a multilateral, robust and effective manner. Effectiveness is exactly what is at stake with the President's announcement this morning, and the three steps announced today are not enough. A few more unilateral sanctions will not make Sudan feel pressured nor will they make any difference on the ground; what is needed is strong and coordinated multilateral action. This also includes engaging and supporting the International Criminal Court's investigation in Darfur, something the president failed to mention altogether in this morning's speech.

Although the President's announcement this morning came too little, too late, he now has an opportunity to exert the moral courage necessary to lead the international community in facilitating a truly robust and multilateral effort to end atrocities in Darfur. Now is the time to work with the U.N. Security Council on strong multilateral sanctions that internationalize the unilateral sanctions announced today. Now is the time to coordinate our diplomatic efforts to bring the rebels together and help lead a renewed and inclusive peace process. Now is the time to make China, Russia, and the Arab states our partners in ? not obstructers of ? peace so that a full hybrid U.N.-AU peacekeeping force deploys in Darfur. And now is a good of a time as any to start engaging the International Criminal Court's investigation in Darfur in a real and concrete way.

Mr. President, thanks for the speech this morning. I appreciated your words and your sentiments - I'm sure the people of Darfur did as well. Now let's work with others to see some action that will make a difference.

Julia Fitzpatrick