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US tones down Darfur resolution
The United States predicted Thursday that the Security Council will adopt its resolution on Sudan, buoyed by strong backing from Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who called for urgent U.N. action to stop attacks against civilians in western Darfur. U.S. Ambassador John Danforth made the prediction after the council discussed a new toned down draft aimed at winning support from China, Russia and other members who fear the threat of oil sanctions against Khartoum could complicate efforts to end the 19-month conflict that has forced over 1.2 million people to flee their homes. Danforth said a vote was likely on Saturday afternoon and he predicted the resolution would get at least nine ``yes'' votes - the minimum needed for approval in the 15-member council. ``I believe we are going to have the votes,'' he said.But China threatened to veto the original U.S. draft and it was unclear whether Beijing would veto or abstain on the latest. ``This one will be difficult for China ... in a number of areas including sanctions,'' said China's U.N. Ambassador Wang Guangya, who voiced concern about the ``philosophy'' behind the current resolution and said Beijing would like additional changes. But the U.S. draft got a boost from the secretary-general, who urged the council to act on it ``without delay and to be as united as possible in the face of this crisis.'' Danforth called Annan's unexpected statement ``very important,'' saying ``it helped create the sense of urgency.'' Posted by: Dan Darling 2004-09-17 |
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