US vs world over Sudan

UNITED NATIONS – The United States faced opposition from China, Russia and other Security Council members to its latest draft resolution threatening oil sanctions against Sudan if the government doesn’t quickly rein in militias blamed for atrocities in western Darfur.

The resolution was the only subject discussed at the council’s monthly luncheon Wednesday with Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Diplomats said there were deep divisions among the 15 members on how to pressure the Sudanese government to end the conflict that has killed over 50 000 people and forced more than 1,2 million to flee their homes.Washington has called the conflict “genocide” and the UN humanitarian chief, Jan Egeland, in April called it ethnic cleansing and one of the world’s “worst humanitarian crises.”The United States circulated a revised draft Tuesday that softened language in the original text but still threatened to consider sanctions, including against Sudan’s petroleum sector.Sudan began exporting oil in 1999 and produces an estimated 250 000 barrels per day.At least five council members – China and Russia which have veto power, and Pakistan, Algeria and Angola – also had problems with other parts of the new draft.The concerns include its declaration of “grave concern” that the Sudanese government “has failed to comply fully” with its previous commitments to curb the militias and provide security for the civilians who fled; its call for an independent commission to investigate “whether or not acts of genocide have occurred;” and its call for a halt to all military flights over Darfur.Council experts met Wednesday afternoon and members were expected to hold closed-door consultations yesterday.US deputy ambassador Stuart Holliday said the United Nations was looking for a vote today.China’s UN Ambassador Wang Guangya, who threatened to veto the original draft, told two reporters on Wednesday that the changes in the new draft “are more cosmetic … there’s no change in the substance.”- Nampa-APDiplomats said there were deep divisions among the 15 members on how to pressure the Sudanese government to end the conflict that has killed over 50 000 people and forced more than 1,2 million to flee their homes.Washington has called the conflict “genocide” and the UN humanitarian chief, Jan Egeland, in April called it ethnic cleansing and one of the world’s “worst humanitarian crises.”The United States circulated a revised draft Tuesday that softened language in the original text but still threatened to consider sanctions, including against Sudan’s petroleum sector.Sudan began exporting oil in 1999 and produces an estimated 250 000 barrels per day.At least five council members – China and Russia which have veto power, and Pakistan, Algeria and Angola – also had problems with other parts of the new draft.The concerns include its declaration of “grave concern” that the Sudanese government “has failed to comply fully” with its previous commitments to curb the militias and provide security for the civilians who fled; its call for an independent commission to investigate “whether or not acts of genocide have occurred;” and its call for a halt to all military flights over Darfur.Council experts met Wednesday afternoon and members were expected to hold closed-door consultations yesterday.US deputy ambassador Stuart Holliday said the United Nations was looking for a vote today.China’s UN Ambassador Wang Guangya, who threatened to veto the original draft, told two reporters on Wednesday that the changes in the new draft “are more cosmetic … there’s no change in the substance.”- Nampa-AP