Moscow slams plans to impose arms embargo on Sudan

MOSCOW, Feb 18, 2005 (MOSNEWS) — Sudan’s authorities have pledged to settle the Darfur crisis, Konstantin Dolgov, Russia’s deputy UN ambassador, told Ekho Moskvy radio station. The UN should encourage such initiatives, instead of imposing sanctions on the war-torn country.

In late January Russia and China rejected a new U.S. bid to impose United Nations sanctions on Sudan for failing to end assaults on villagers in Darfur, saying any action should follow deployment of a UN peacekeeping force and formation of a coalition government in Khartoum, Bloomberg news agency reported.

The U.S. had called for the establishment of a peacekeeping force in Sudan of up to 10,000 troops and placing an arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze on government officials, and drafted a resolution to the effect.

The U.S. wants to increase pressure on Sudan’s government following its Jan. 9 agreement to end a 22-year civil war with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army and form a coalition government. The war, fought in part over oil resources in southern Sudan, left 1.5 million people dead and 4 million homeless.

“We want to build on the momentum of the agreement,” Konstantin Dolgov, Russia’s deputy UN ambassador said. “We have to encourage both sides, not penalize them. We are heading toward a new government. New people will be there. They have to have some time to deliver.”

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said it would support the peacekeeping mission. Chinese Deputy Ambassador Zhang Yishan said that, while his government also supported the peacekeeping mission, China has a “problem” with imposing sanctions.

China and Russia have blocked U.S. efforts to impose sanctions on Sudan for the past six months. As permanent Security Council members, along with France, the U.K. and U.S., they have the power to veto any measure.