Sudan blames U.S., EU for deterioration in Darfur

KHARTOUM, Sudan, May 08, 2004 (UPI) — Sudan Saturday blamed the United States and the European Union for the deteriorating conditions in Darfour due to their sanctions on the country.

Sudanese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Najib al-Khair said the United States and the EU “bear a lot of responsibility for the declining humanitarian conditions in Darfour because of their unwise decision to impose economic sanctions on Sudan.”

He said in a written statement that their decision to stop development assistance to Sudan’s provinces, which had depended on such aid, had contributed to the conditions in Darfour.

Meanwhile, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir formed a committee to investigate allegations of human rights abuses in western Sudan.