France concerned by Sudan’s rejection of UN forces to Darfur
Oct 8, 2006 (PARIS) — France has expressed concern over the Sudanese rejection of the deployment of UN forces in Darfur region, saying Khartoum insistence to resolve the conflict militarily will lead to regional instability.
A senior official at the French presidency told Sudan Tribune France is concerned by the negative stand of the Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir on the UN peacekeepers takeover in Darfur.
The official, who required anonymity, said “Sudanese president’s illusion” to resolve the conflict militarily would lead to regional catastrophe. He indicated “we are in the beginning of a big humanitarian disaster that will provoke a political instability in the neighbouring Chad, Central Africa Republic and Congo”.
French President Jacques Chirac said on Thursday 29 September that he fears Darfur is on the brink of a new humanitarian crisis, and he insisted that the Sudanese government has no choice but to accept U.N. peacekeepers.
The official regretted the stand of the Sudanese president saying “al-Bashir was a trusted interlocutor to France”. He added that justifying his rejection by a Zionistic plan to divide the country or to topple down his regime seems unrealistic.
The president of Central African Republic, Francois Bozize, urged President Jacques Chirac on the sidelines of the International Organization of Francophonie summit held in Bucharest, at the end of September to give him logistical assistance to stop Sudan supported Central African rebels who destabilize his regime. He also accused Sudan of transporting by Antonov plane personnel, arms and munitions to the Chadian rebels who carry out attacks on N’djamena through the northeastern region of CAR.
Regarding the Chadian unrest, Paris still looks with worry to the presence of the Chadian rebels in Sudan because they prevent France from putting pressure on the Chadian president to enforce a plan for democratic transition in the country.
“Despite our strong position on Darfur we do not want to use threats or to back the American position and send international forces to Darfur without Khartoum approval” the official stated. Adding “the extension of the AU forces til the end of the year gives Sudanese government time to reconsider its position.”
Asked whether France would give some guarantees to Sudan over the request of the International Criminal Court to pursue Sudanese officials for war crimes in Darfur, the official said the sole guarantee “is to swiftly enforce international community resolution and to realize a lasting peace in the region.”
(ST)