Canada planning major Darfur aid initiative-paper

OTTAWA, May 5 (Reuters) – Canada is planning a major foreign aid initiative to help alleviate the crisis in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region, the Ottawa Citizen newspaper said on Thursday.

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin greets Sudanese schoolchildren during a visit to a slum outside Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, November 25, 2004.(Reuters).

If Ottawa carries through with the plans it could also help the survival of Prime Minister Paul Martin, whose minority Liberal government will need the support of an independent legislator currently demanding Martin do more to help Sudan.

The Citizen quoted officials as saying Martin is personally directing the initiative, under which Canada would send 100 military advisors to the region and add to the C$70 million (C$56 million) it has already committed in aid.

Darfur rebels launched an open revolt in early 2003 and since then tens of thousands have been killed in the violence and more than two million have fled their homes in the remote western region.

A spokesman for Martin declined to confirm the report, saying “if Canada finds itself in a position to do something more to help relieve suffering and fashion stability in Sudan, one would expect that Canadians would be proud.”

The Citizen said the Canadian military advisors would assist an African Union military and police force in Darfur, which currently numbers around 3,320 personnel.

Martin discussed the situation in Darfur this week with independent legislator David Kilgour, who wants Canada to become more involved in the region.

Kilgour is one of three independent parliamentarians whose votes will be crucial in a vote on non-confidence in the minority Liberal government which could come as early as this month. He says he has not yet decided how he would vote.

($1=$1.24 Canadian)