Russia observes UN resolutions in its military cooperation with Sudan – official

June 18, 2009 (PARIS) – Russia reiterated its commitment to UN resolutions in its military cooperation and sales to Sudan which is under UN arms embargo since 2004.

The U.N. Security Council imposed an arms embargo on all non-government forces in Darfur in July 2004 and expanded the embargo to include government forces in March 2005. The embargo also requires the Government of Sudan to seek permission before moving weapons to Darfur.

Sudan has publicly stated its intention to ignore the embargo and a U.N. panel charged with monitoring the embargo has documented multiple illegal transfers of weapons to Darfur.

Also human rights groups say Russia and other weapons suppliers like China are aware of the eventual uses of arms exported to Sudan.

Russia’s state arms exporter strictly observes the international law in building up its military and technical cooperation with Sudan, the head of Rosoboron export’s delegation to the Paris air show, Alexander Mikheyev, told a news conference on Wednesday.

“We cooperate with Sudan on the basis of the existing legislation on military relations. If there are sanctions and restrictions, we fully abide by them,” he stated.

“Today we are working in that very regime that is being regulated by the relevant international norms,” Mikheyev said adding that earlier Russia supplied helicopters and small arms to Sudan.

“We fulfilled our obligations,” he further said.

(ST)