Colin Powell : “No alternative to peace on all fronts” in Darfur
WASHINGTON, Aug 5, 2004 (AFP) — US Secretary of State Colin Powell, in commentary published Thursday in The Wall Street Journal see previous document “[“], urged Sudan to “take decisive steps to end the violence in Darfur,” insisting that there is “no alternative to peace on all fronts” to end the crisis.
Powell reviewed efforts made by the international community to stop the carnage, and recalled the list of “14 specific actions” US President George W. Bush urged be taken to resolve the crisis, which he delivered in June to Sudan.
“To date, the government of Sudan has removed many obstacles to humanitarian access, cooperated with the African Union cease-fire monitors, and agreed to participate in political talks. It has not, however, taken decisive steps to end the violence,” Powell wrote.
The United Nations, has called the situation in Darfur the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, said it would send a team to Ethiopia to help the African Union set up their force.
On Friday the Security Council passed a resolution giving Khartoum 30 days to disarm the pro-government Arab Janjaweed militia accused of committing atrocities against civilians there.
“We, the United Nations, the Europeans, the African Union, Egypt, the Arab League and many others … hope that the Sudanese government will use the time provided in the resolution to bring the Janjaweed militias under control,” wrote Powell.
“International pressure will continue to increase until Khartoum moves decisively against the Janjaweed,” Powell said.
“While we and the international community are not ruling out any options, only the government of Sudan can end the violence in the short term. The Sudanese government bears the responsibility to face up to the crisis, end human-rights abuses and save the lives of its own citizens.”
Powell welcomed the African Union’s deployment in Sudan of ceasefire monitors and future deployment of 300 troops to protect them – the AU on Wednesday said it was considering sending a 2,000 man mission to Sudan.
“Security is critical. The lack of security is the greatest obstacle to delivering essential aid to those who remain in their villages in Darfur as well as to those in camps for the internally displaced,” said Powell.
“We look forward to a comprehensive peace agreement between the north and south, resolution of the Darfur crisis and normalization of our relations.
“There is no alternative to peace on all fronts. Far too many innocent lives have been lost already,” he added.