Russia, China block Sudan sanctions

UNITED NATIONS – Russia and China blocked UN sanctions on Monday against four Sudanese held responsible for abuses in Darfur but the United States said it would force a public vote on the issue.

The four men, whittled down from a longer British list, include one Sudanese government official, one pro-government militia member, and two rebel leaders, the first to be slated for sanctions authorised by the UN Security Council more than a year ago. The four were not identified.Both the Russian and Chinese ambassadors told reporters now was not the time to impose a travel ban or an assets freeze on Sudanese individuals because of the ongoing peace talks on the escalating Darfur conflict, held in Abuja, Nigeria.They did not make clear if they would approve the embargoes later.A council sanctions committee on Thursday distributed the four names for approval to all 15 council nations.Had no one objected, the list would have been adopted on Monday.But China on Monday submitted a letter to the committee, saying the sanctions panel – and not the full council as US Ambassador John Bolton proposed – should discuss the issue further, diplomats said.- Nampa-ReutersThe four were not identified.Both the Russian and Chinese ambassadors told reporters now was not the time to impose a travel ban or an assets freeze on Sudanese individuals because of the ongoing peace talks on the escalating Darfur conflict, held in Abuja, Nigeria.They did not make clear if they would approve the embargoes later.A council sanctions committee on Thursday distributed the four names for approval to all 15 council nations.Had no one objected, the list would have been adopted on Monday.But China on Monday submitted a letter to the committee, saying the sanctions panel – and not the full council as US Ambassador John Bolton proposed – should discuss the issue further, diplomats said.- Nampa-Reuters