Expulsion of UN envoy from Sudan unacceptable – EU

Oct 25, 2006 (BRUSSELS) — The European Union on Wednesday called Sudan’s expulsion of a chief U.N. envoy unacceptable, and said the U.N. had a vital role to play in resolving the Darfur crisis.

“The E.U. emphasizes the vital role of the U.N. in support of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the promotion of peace and stability in the whole of Sudan,” said Finland, which holds the E.U. presidency, according to a statement.

“The E.U. urges the Sudanese government to lend its full cooperation to the U.N,” it said. Western powers have been trying to get Sudan to allow a U.N. force of 20,000 troops to take over peacekeeping in Darfur from a 7,000-member African Union force.

Fighting between government-backed Arab militia and the non-Arab population in Darfur, which has claimed some 200,000 lives and displaced about 2 million since February 2003, has intensified since the signing of the peace agreement.

(AP)