On Darfur, a Call For the Wrong Action

I am astonished that The Post has urged me to "galvanize action" on the tragedy in Darfur by altering the death-toll estimates of the State Department's intelligence bureau ["Darfur's Real Death Toll," editorial, April 24]. Calling for me to "cite better numbers" to rouse "international partners" conflicts with the principles The Post presses on government officials every day.

When a reporter asked me for the department's estimate, I did not evade the question. I did not invent intelligence or stretch it. I did not recommend that the analysts change their assessment. I did indicate that estimates varied widely and that many were higher. Our estimate was based on more than 30 health and mortality surveys by public health professionals, and it was corroborated by a World Health Organization research center.

Moreover, your editorial ignores the fundamental point. All the estimates point to the same conclusion: the need for action to alleviate human suffering and to stop the killing and cruel displacement of millions. That is the cause I urged at an international conference and at three stops in Sudan. The editorial ignores the Sudan policy, including increased humanitarian aid, the expansion of African Union security forces, NATO support, help for the north-south peace agreement, and three U.N. Security Council resolutions providing for peacekeepers, expanded sanctions and accountability for crimes against humanity.

I hope that The Post carefully considers the implications of its advice, no matter how noble the cause.

ROBERT B. ZOELLICK

Deputy Secretary

State Department

Washington