Posted on 07/09/2004 5:30:50 PM PDT by blam
Sudan warns US against 'new Iraq'
There is not enough food, water or medicines in Darfur's refugee camps
Sudan has warned the United States against creating another Iraq-style situation by getting too involved in the Darfur conflict. Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail said that sanctions would worsen the crisis.
The UN Security Council has this week been debating a US draft resolution to impose sanctions of the Arab militia accused of widespread atrocities.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell said that Sudan had "days" to stop the violence or face possible sanctions.
Some one million people have fled their homes and at least 10,000 killed since two rebel groups took up arms last year.
We want to see dramatic improvements on the ground right now
Colin Powell
Mr Ismail warned "those voices which have drawn the world to the Iraq war not to take it to a new war which it will be difficult to disengage from," in an interview with Sudan's Al-Rai Al-Aam newspaper.
The draft resolution includes sanctions against leaders of the Arab Janjaweed militia, which could be widened to include members of the government, which is accused of backing them.
Mr Ismail said these sanctions risked "weakening the credibility of agreements" made with Mr Powell and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for the Sudan government to disarm the Janjaweed.
France opposes sanctions
Mr Powell on Thursday said that Sudan had not delivered on its pledge.
"President Bush, the United States Congress, Secretary General Annan and the international community want more than promises," he said.
'World's worst humanitarian crisis'
"We want to see dramatic improvements on the ground right now," he added.
France has also said it does not support extending the sanctions to the Khartoum government itself.
The Security Council met in closed session for several hours on Wednesday and the draft resolution was again discussed on Thursday.
Council members also disagree over how long the Sudanese government should be given to resolve the situation itself.
The US draft resolution threatens to escalate the sanctions within 30 days if results are not evident.
But some countries say that Sudan should be allowed more time.
Resources
Earlier on Thursday, African leaders meeting in Addis Ababa decided that a protection force they agreed to send would defend Darfur civilians, as well as guard African Union ceasefire observers.
Janjaweed militiamen are accused of ethnic cleansing
The Chairman of the African Union Commission, Alpha Oumar Konare, said the 300 troops would arrive in Sudan by the end of July.
The BBC's Barnaby Phillips says the union is determined to be taken seriously as a body devoted to solving the continent's problems, but is severely hampered by a lack of resources.
Analysts say that at least 15,000 peacekeepers would be needed in the vast arid areas of Darfur.
African leaders say they hope richer countries will also do their bit to help.
Human rights activists say the Janjaweed are conducting a genocide against Darfur's black African population - although the UN and member states have refrained from using the word.
A rebellion broke out in Darfur early last year, when two groups took up arms, accusing the government of ignoring the region.
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.
WTF??? Tell the UN!
Wait a second, he is telling US not to get involved....is that a threat? nuke em!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But really, who the hell is Sudan to give anything near an order to us...I mean really.....
The UN does nothing. Everybody in Africa knows that. You bring yourself to the attention of the US if you need something.
You might get it or you might not but going to the UN will get you diddly-squat.
As for the UN a sternly worded resolution provides you with some laughs. The US says, "hey you might not want to do that anymore," and since 2001 they start shaking.
Chad rebels holding the Sahara’s most-wanted terror suspect said today that Libya had given them a 48-hour deadline to surrender the al Qaida-linked militant – or they would bomb them like they’ve “never been bombed”.
Posted on July 8 at 10:58am
Saturday we'll see?
thats right they are lowing the chicoms though
A fan could beat them. Sudan needs to remember it's not Clinton anymore, there's a New Sheriff in town!
New Vietnam now morphed into New Iraq. Gotta be kidding me.
A new sheriff should be able to control his country's own border, but apparently not.
Given them as long as you gave Saddam and there won't be any Sudanese to worry about.
Just me or does "Janjaweed" sound like a Fig Newton of George Lucas' mind?
This is a job for..... [Music sounds] THE UN!!!!!
Seems like it should be the other way around: US warns Sudan against "new Iraq".
If we had a functioning CIA, maybe the Sufis in Darfur would be getting Green Beret advisers and crates of Kalashnikovs and RPG's to defend themselves with, instead of toothless resolutions in the UN.
The war is against radical islam, no matter where it is festering.
Forget sanctions. Just airdrop some rifles to the Christians along with ammo.
Well,.....that settles it.......
/sarcasm
Who'd of thunk we'd be in Afghanistan three years ago? The conditions that allowed the Taliban and OBL to train his minions in that hell hole are ripe in places all over Africa. I think this Admin is very interested in the Sudan, and the African continent wrt the WOT. Just at a different level for now.
It is definitely part of the global WOT.
Actually, he said not to get "TOO INVOLVED." That means keep sending the cash, food and sanitation assistance, but refrain on the demands.
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