Franch FM urges Sudan to accept UN forces into Darfur
Oct 12, 2006 (PARIS) — France has urged Sudan to accept the deployment of the UN troops in the Sudan’s troubled region, indicating Khartoum rejection would lead to direct confrontation with the international community.
During a meeting with the visiting Sudanese Presidential Advisor Gazi Salah Eddin Attabani Tuesday 10 October, the French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said Sudanese government should allow the UN takeover from the AU forces in Darfur.
According to the French official, Khartoum has to accept the principle of the deployment and if there are some reserves, they can be negotiated with the UN Security Council. The current stance could lead to direct confrontation with the international community.
Douste-Blazy who received the Sudanese official after a long hearing with the foreign affairs commission in the French National Assembly reminded the visiting Sudanese official the importance of creating favourable conditions for the humanitarian activities in Darfur.
He said Sudanese authorities are responsible of the security in the region but he volatile situation hinders to deliver the humanitarian aid to the population. He also mentioned attacks on aid workers.
The number of people not reached has been dropping steadily from 470,000 in July to 355,000 in August and now 224,000. While heartened by this improvement, among the 224,000 not reached last month are 139,000 who have gone without food aid for four months, the WFP said on Tuesday 10 October.
France also requested the Sudanese cooperation with the ICC over the war crimes committed in Darfur. The French minister said that Sudanese government did not meet its pledge to sue the responsible of the Darfur atrocities.
The Sudanese official after explaining the position of his government on the UN forces to Darfur, informed Paris on the rebel NRF attack with the support of the Chadian army.
Douste-Balzy informed the visiting envoy that he would visit Sudan during the coming November. This will be the second visit of the French minister. He was in Sudan for the first time on July 2005.
The French official pointed out that his country would work with the African Union to find a swift solution of crisis in Darfur. France calls for dialogue with the Sudanese government, and rejects the US-UK position for UN forces deployment without Sudan’s approval.
But, analysts are skeptical over this pledge because the French Presidential election would be held in next May and the ruling party UMP would be focusing on the internal political debate.
(ST)