Slovene initiative on Darfur welcomed in France
Jan 17, 2006 (PARIS) — Slovene President Janez Drnovsek’s initiative to revive international efforts to end the humanitarian crisis in the Sudanese region of Darfur has been received favourably in France, where Drnovsek presented it to FM Phillippe Douste-Blazy and Senate President Christian Poncelet on Tuesday.
Douste-Blazy and Poncelet responded favourably to the initiative and expressed satisfaction that Slovenia has started to participate in the efforts to resolve the crisis, sources in Drnovsek’s delegation.
Drnovsek said that time has come to tackle the situation. He expressed the opinion that the UN Security Council should immediately and actively start participating in the efforts, the Slovene STA news agency reported.
The Slovenian president moreover suggested that China should be won over for the cause.
China maintains a strong economic presence in Sudan and could strengthen the African Union-led peacekeeping mission, which is understaffed and ill-equipped for the task, Drnovsek was quoted as saying.
While in Paris, Drnovsek also attended a celebration in honour of acclaimed scientist, anthropologist and UN Ambassador Jane Goodall, who received France’s top honour, the Legion of Honour.
Goodall has already signed on to Drnovsek initiative dubbed “The World for Darfur”.
The president also held talks with Monaco Prince Albert II, who is to visit Slovenia in the first half of 2006. Prince Albert II expressed support for Drnovsek’s Darfur initiative, offering aid of the Monaco humanitarian organisations.
The president also met several French businessmen in Paris, among them Louis Schweitzer, the former director of car producer Renault.
Drnovsek will travel to the U.S. for talks with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and members of the U.S. Senate.
Drnovsek also plans to visit Chad and Sudan on 13 and 14 February.
(ST)