France calls for comprehensive settlement of Darfur crisis

Nov 12, 2006 (KHARTOUM ) — Visiting French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy stressed on Sunday that the Sudanese government, the African Union and the United Nations should work together to find a comprehensive settlement of the Darfur issue.

Douste-Blazy told reporters following his meeting with his Sudanese counterpart Lam Akol that “the three sides must intensify their efforts in order to find a solution to get out of the difficult situation in Darfur which has negatively affected several countries in the area.”

“It has aroused concern that there are tens of thousands of displaced persons who have not received humanitarian assistance because of the deteriorating security situation,” the French foreign minister said.

He reiterated the need to expand the Darfur Peace Agreement, signed between the Sudanese government and a main rebel faction, to include other rebel groups which have not signed the agreement, saying “this is very important for achieving a final settlement of the problem.”

He also announced that his country would provide additional 1million euros (about 1.28 million U.S. dollars) for AU peacekeeping forces in Darfur.

“It is comprehensively believed that the AU forces must be reinforced and their capability must be promoted with the logistic support and financial assistance to be provided for them,” he said, adding that views of France and Sudan on this issue were identical.

The French foreign minister arrived in Khartoum earlier in the day on a two-day visit, during which he will visit Darfur to get acquainted with the situation on the ground.

The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1706 on Aug. 31, calling for deployment of more than 20,000 international peacekeepers to replace 7,800 AU forces in Darfur.

But the Sudanese government has rejected the mission transfer, saying it was a violation of Sudan’s sovereignty and an effort by the West to re-colonize the African oil producing country.

(Xinhua)