Sanctions cannot solve crisis in Sudan: Chinese paper

BEIJING, Sept 16, 2004 (Xinhua) — The threatened sanctions championed by the United States and the European Union (EU) on Sudan could not help solve the crisis in the African country, said a leading Chinese newspaper Thursday.

The crisis in Darfur, western Sudan, is a problem caused by a slew of factors ranging from historical issues, tribal and religious differences, refugees as well as poverty, which could not be solved within a short period of time, said the People’s Daily in a signed article.

“The Sudanese government, which has stated its commitment to solving the crisis, needs assistance from the international community instead of sanctions,” it added.

On Tuesday, the United States put forward a new draft UN resolution, threatening sanctions on Sudan’s oil industry if the Sudanese government fails to end the bloodshed in its western region of Darfur.

Also, the EU foreign ministers warned Monday the European bloc would slap sanctions against the Sudanese government and relevant parties if “no tangible progress” is made in meeting the EU’s demands.

The EU said it would continue to impress the Sudanese government with the urgency to meet the demands set by the ministers last July as well as in UN Security Council Resolution 1556.

“With reservation, the Sudanese government accepted the resolution and accelerated its efforts to disarm the rebels, which had paved the way for humanitarian access to the troubled region and eased tension there,” said the article.

In addition, the African Union (AU) also sent observers to the area. With the joint efforts by Sudan, the AU and United Nations, the situation in Darfur has been improving.

The article urged both the United States and the EU to provide aid to the Sudanese government and not threaten it with sanctions, which cannot help solve the problem.

The Darfur crisis started in February 2003 when militia and black African farmers clashed with each other over scarce resources. Thousands of people have been killed or displaced as a result of the clashes.