US seeks clarification of Ban’s talks with al-Bashir

March 30, 2007 (WASHINGTON) — The United States is attempting to clear up uncertainty over Sudan’s position on a U.N. peacekeeping force for Darfur, while reaffirming that failure of the Khartoum government to accept the deployment could lead to punitive sanctions.

U.S. officials are seeking a meeting with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon as a followup to Ban’s discussions on Thursday with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on the sidelines of an Arab League summit meeting in Saudi Arabia.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said plans for the U.N. force “must move forward without preconditions.”

He said the United States has both bilateral and multilateral measures at its disposal for Sudan if al-Bashir rejects the U.N. peacekeepers.

In a speech Thursday at the summit, al-Bashir rejected any U.N. deployment, repeating his stance that the U.N. role must be limited to logistical and financial help for African Union peacekeepers in Darfur.

An Arab League statement said Ban and al-Bashir discussed that issue during their meeting.

Al-Bashir’s rejection of U.N. peacekeepers, made known earlier this month, caused consternation among U.S. officials who say a large-scale peacekeeping contingent is the best hope for an end to the suffering in Darfur.

McCormack acknowledged that Sudan has been concerned that the force could be used as a “posse” to round up Sudanese personnel suspected of committing crimes in Darfur.

He said U.N. forces will not be used for any such purpose.

(AP)