Sudan’s suspicions of US obstacle to Dafur peace – Natsios
Nov 20, 2006 (WASHINGTON) — Andrew Natsios, U.S. special envoy for Darfur, said Monday that Sudanese suspicion of the U.S. is a major obstacle to progress toward a comprehensive resolution of the continuing humanitarian crisis in Darfur.
Natsios told a forum on the Darfur situation that the window of opportunity in Darfur is closing rapidly because the African Union troop mandate expires on Jan. 1 along with the mandate of the current U.S. Congress and of U.N. Secretary-general Kofi Annan.
“We’re not going to have one breakthrough moment,” Natsios said. Instead, he said he envisions a “series of steps” by the U.N. and other entities that will constitute forward movement.
“I hope we can wind it up by Jan. 1,” Natsios said, speaking to a gathering at the Brookings Institution, a private research group.
He was joined at the forum by Jean-Marie Guehenno, undersecretary-general for peacekeeping. Both officials attended a U.N.-led meeting last Thursday in Ethiopia at which Sudan agreed in principle to a formula that could establish a mixed U.N. and African Union peacekeeping mission for Darfur.
Guehenno agreed with Natsios that time is of the essence.
“There is a sense of urgency to focus on issues,” he said. “The first is on the issue of a cease-fire.”
Natsios said one of the biggest problems is the “suspicion and mistrust” among Sudan officials about the motivations behind proposals for the establishment of a “hybrid” force for Darfur by the U.N. and the African Union force.
He said there is no basis for such misgivings by the Sudanese.
“The only agenda the United States has is a human rights and humanitarian agenda,” Natsios said.
He also gave assurances that once peace is established, the U.S. will undertake a reconstruction program in Darfur.
A Sudanese Embassy official said during the question period that his country has a right to be suspicious of the intentions of outsiders because of past “broken promises.”
Natsios replied that the U.S. has its own suspicions about Sudan, pointing to recent attacks he said were carried out by government-backed Arab militias against the civilian population in Darfur.
He said such attacks must end.
“If a pattern develops, a more confrontational approach will take place,” Natsios said.
Guehenno said the Sudanese are feeling insecure about the country’s territorial integrity.
He said the Sudanese are worried that a breakaway movement by southern Sudanese would increase pressures in Darfur for independence and thus “threaten the foundations of the country.”
But, he said, the situation on the ground is “unacceptable,” pointing to recent aerial bombing raids by government or government-sponsored forces and ambushes of humanitarian convoys.
This situation, he said, “cannot be allowed to continue as it is.”
(AP)