Australia considers sending peacekeeping assistance to Sudan

June 16, 2007 (CANBERRA) — The Australian government is considering sending some peacekeeping assistance to Sudan despite fears it would overstretch the defence force, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says.

Sudan this week agreed to accept non-African soldiers into Darfur for the first time to help quell fighting that has killed more than 200,000 people and created 2.5 million refugees since 2003.

In anticipation of Sudan’s decision, the UN formally requested Australia to contribute as many troops as it could, specifically military observers and logistics and air movement specialists.

Defence Minister Brendan Nelson yesterday rejected the request saying it would overstretch the defence force. But today, Mr Downer said he was deeply distressed by the situation and the government was considering how it could help.

“If there’s anything we can do, perhaps in terms of some very small technical assistance to the United Nations force that’s going to go to Darfur, then we might be able to do that,” the minister told ABC Radio.

“But in terms of sending a significant number of troops into Darfur, we simply don’t have the capability.”

Downer denied there was a split between himself and Nelson and said he would have discussions with the Australian Defence Force to determine if it can help the troubled region.

“We’re going to have a discussion about this issue during the course of the next week or so, but I have to tell you I’ve been deeply distressed by what’s been happening in Darfur by the simply enormous number of people who’ve been killed,” he said. Australia has already provided Darfur with $54 million worth of aid since 2004, he said.

There are around 15 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel already in southern Sudan, a separate area of conflict to Darfur.

(AAP)