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France opposes UN Sudan sanctions
France says it does not support US plans for international sanctions on Sudan if violence continues in Darfur. The UN Security Council is debating a US draft resolution imposing sanctions on militias accused of "ethnic cleansing" against non-Arabs.
Iâm so proud of my country.
The US also hinted that the sanctions could be extended to the government. Meanwhile, African leaders have urged Khartoum to stop bombing Darfur and say their proposed 300-strong force will have a mandate to protect civilians.
| 300? That's hardly enough to protect themselves. |
US Secretary of State Colin Powell says promises to reign in the pro-government militia, known as the Janjaweed, have not been kept by Khartoum so far. "Only action not words can win the race against death in Darfur," he said. Some one million people have fled their homes and at least 10,000 have been killed in what the UN calls "the worldâs worst humanitarian crisis." A rebellion broke out in Darfur early last year, when two groups took up arms, accusing the government of ignoring the region. "In Darfur, it would be better to help the Sudanese get over the crisis so their country is pacified rather than sanctions which would push them back to their misdeeds of old," junior Foreign Minister Renaud Muselier told French radio. France led opposition to US moves at the UN over Iraq. As was the case in Iraq, France also has significant oil interests in Sudan.
Mr Muselier also dismissed claims of "ethnic cleansing" or genocide in Darfur.
"I firmly believe it is a civil war and as they are little villages of 30, 40, 50, there is nothing easier than for a few armed horsemen to burn things down, to kill the men and drive out the women," he said.
| If that's not a definition of ethnic cleansing I don't know what is. |
Human rights activists say the Janjaweed are conducting a genocide against Darfurâs black African population. Those who have fled their homes say the Janjaweed ride on horses and camels into villages which have just been bombed by government aircraft, killing the men and raping the women. Sudan denies backing the militia and, under strong international pressure, has promised to disarm them.
Rest at link.
Posted by: Anonymous5089 2004-07-09 |
