Bill would prevent public investment in Sudan

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The District of Columbia government wants out of Sudan, though a recent analysis shows the move could affect the city’s bottom line.

Legislation introduced by three D.C. Council members would prohibit the investment of public money, notably its various retirement funds, in companies that do business with, or in support of, the government of Sudan; that supply military equipment to the country; or that are complicit in the Darfur genocide.

It would further require that Mayor Adrian Fenty strip all D.C. investments from the so-called “scrutinized” companies within one year.

The measure was introduced in March by Council Members Marion Barry, Ward 8, Harry Thomas Jr., Ward 5, and Carol Schwartz, at large.

In his fiscal impact statement, released last week, Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi said restricting the city’s investment choices could impact the District’s bottom line. But Gandhi took no position on the bill, and he concluded that the city does have sufficient cash resources to afford the divestiture.

“We need strong efforts to send a message that the people of the District of Columbia don’t want to be associated with what’s going on in Darfur,” said Ward 1 Council Member Jim Graham, who co-sponsored the bill.

Allyn Brooks-LaSure, spokesman for the Save Darfur Coalition, said a recent poll conducted by the organization found 84 percent of Americans would yank their money from an investment fund with connections to the Sudan. D.C., he said, will send a strong message by passing the bill.

“Americans don’t want their investments either directly or indirectly connecting with genocide in the Sudan,” Brooks-LaSure said.

mneibauer@dcexaminer.com

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