Fischer calls on Sudan government to act on Darfur

BERLIN, July 10, 2004 (dpa) — German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer has called on the Sudanese government to fulfil pledges made to the United Nations and the United States in an effort to end the conflict in the Darfur region of the country.

In an interview with Der Spiegel news magazine published in advance Saturday, Fischer called on the government in Khartoum to disarm the Janjaweed Arab militia and allow aid workers into the region immediately.

Fischer is leaving for talks in Khartoum Sunday, accompanied by Kerstin Mueller, the minister of state in the foreign ministry.

Officials in Berlin say the visit is designed to put pressure on Khartoum to honour a pledge to disarm the pro-government militia which has driven an estimated one million people from their homes in Darfur.

Fischer said the problem in Darfur should be solved by the United Nations and the African Union in the first instance.

Mueller told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa that if Khartoum does not respond to international demands sanctions including travel restrictions and an arms embargo should be imposed.

The German foreign ministry has already called for an independent investigation of human rights violations in the Darfur region.

Germany has sent technical experts to Sudan to investigate how help can be provided in the region, including securing supply routes and examining water quality.