Sudanese president renews rejection of UN force in Darfur

Aug 15, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese President renewed opposition to any deployment of international force in Sudan’s Darfur region. “We oppose the deployment of American, British or other forces imposed by the (UN) Security Council,” he said.

Al-Bashir reiterated rejection of Sudan to entry of international troops to Darfur under Chapter 6 or Chapter 7. “We reaffirm our opposition to international forces entering Darfur,” Bashir told troops in a gathering south of the capital on Monday marking the 52nd anniversary of the Sudanese army.

He commended the steadfastness of Hezbollah under the leadership of Sheikh Nasrallah and hailed the struggle of the Palestinian peoples, affirming Sudan’s solidarity with Lebanon and Palestine. President Al-Bashir hailed the Armed Forces on the occasion of the Army Day, describing it as a symbol of the dignity of the people and protector of Sudan.

Al-Bashir warned that Sudan will confront any UN-sponsored forces sent to war-torn Darfur and would fight them “as Hezbollah beat Israeli forces” in Lebanon, media reports said Tuesday. “The Sudanese people and army are a reserve for Lebanon and Palestine and are on call,” he said.

He warned earlier that Darfur would become a “graveyard” for UN forces if they were deployed in Darfur, but Annan stressed that the UN force was not intended to occupy the country.

The African Union does not have enough money to pay the 7,000 troops monitoring a shaky truce in Darfur beyond October, the pan-African body said on 10 August.

The AU mission costs just under $40 million a month to run, but in order to do the job properly the AU also asked for more equipment like attack helicopters.

U.N. officials said without additional funding, almost 3.6 million Darfuris could see a period where troops were withdrawn or unable to work to deter rape, murder and pillage in Sudan’s remote west.

Signed by only one rebel faction, the Darfur Peace Agreement is opposed by other rebel groups who say they want more compensation for war victims, more political posts and a role in monitoring the disarmament of the Arab militias blamed for much of the Darfur violence.

Many of the larger Darfur camps housing 2.5 million people displaced by war have seen violent demonstrations against the peace deal, with frustrated civilians even attacking the AU, restricting their ability to function.

(ST)