US Natsios on Sudan to consult China on Darfur

Jan 9, 2007 (BEIJING) — US President George W. Bush’s special envoy on Sudan has arrived to discuss with China ways to end the bloodshed in war-torn Darfur.

“Andrew Natsios arrived in Beijing (and will) exchange views on the issue of Sudan with Chinese officials,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said at a regular briefing Tuesday.

“China and the United States are the same, we both are paying close attention to the Darfur problem.”

Liu said China hoped to play a constructive role in the issue and urged all sides to continue to seek a solution to the issue through consultations.

Natsios’ four-day visit comes as an African Union peacekeeping mission warned Tuesday that Sudanese air strikes on two locations in the Darfur region near the border with Chad were endangering a fragile ceasefire.

His visit also comes amid continued efforts to deploy a UN-led peacekeeping force to Darfur.

China, a veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council, has said it will only back the peacekeeping force if the Sudan government gives its approval.

At least 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million been left homeless by fighting between ethnic African rebels and forces loyal to the Arab-led government in Khartoum.

The US Embassy here said in a brief statement that Natsios “will consult with senior Chinese officials and encourage them to exercise their considerable influence on Sudan to achieve peace in Darfur”.

With US and European companies steering clear of Sudan due to economic insecurity and a US embargo, Khartoum 10 years ago turned to Asia for trading partners.

Sudan currently produces around 500,000 barrels of oil a day, most of which are exported to China, its main commercial partner.

(AFP)