Thousands Urge End to Sudan Genocide

Actor George Clooney, standing left, listens to his father Nick Clooney, right, read his report on Darfur during a gathering on the National Mall, to protest the genocide in Darfur, Sunday, April 30, 2006 in Washington. Actors, athletes and activists concerned about the atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region joined politicians and religious leaders in urging a greater U.S. role in ending what the United Nations says is the world's worst humanitarian disaster. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP)

Jendayi Frazer, who leads the State Department's Africa bureau, said Bush hasn't shied from calling it genocide. He's working to prevent more deaths, she said, while the United States provides $1.3 billion in humanitarian assistance. "The strategy is working but you must continue to push for faster international action," she told the crowd.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in a broadcast interview, noted developments Sunday in Nigeria, where Sudan's government said it was ready to sign a peace agreement to end the bloodshed. Rebels, however, rejected the draft deal.

"Obviously a peace agreement would be a very important step forward in getting this done," Rice said on ABC's "This Week."

Later Sunday, Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick issued a statement "urging the parties to finalize the agreement right away" and bring peace between Sudan and rebel groups.

Sudan has indicated it might accept a U.N. force in Darfur to aid African Union troops if a peace treaty is signed.

Years of fighting between ethnic groups and Arab militias in western Sudan have left at least 180,000 people dead and about 2 million homeless. Bush met with Darfur advocates at the White House on Friday and lent his support to the weekend rallies. "For those of you who are going out to march for justice, you represent the best of our country," Bush said.

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Associated Press writer Brett Zongker contributed to this report.

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On the Net:

Save Darfur Coalition: http://www.savedarfur.org