Russia rejects deployment of international troops in Darfur
Nov 27, 2006 (DAMASCUS) — Russia has renewed its opposition to the deployment of international troops in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region, affirming its support to Sudanese effort to resolve the crisis internally.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov said in an interview to the official SUNA during his two-day-visit to Damascus that Resolution 1706 or any intention for foreign military intervention in Darfur region will not serve Darfur, Sudan or the area in general.
He explained that armed foreign presence in Darfur may aggravate the conflict as what happened in Iraq and Afghanistan. In this connection, he called on the African Union’s countries to live up to their responsibilities by effective contributions to solving Darfur crisis.
Saltanov affirmed his country’s support to the efforts of the Sudanese government to solve the crisis internally or in the African context, especially after the government’s success in signing of the Abuja Agreement.
He affirmed that Russia supports the efforts of the government of Sudan and its keenness on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On the bilateral relations with Sudan, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister said Russia is linked with Sudan with good diplomatic relations, affirming that Russia is working to further promote these ties in the coming period.
(ST)