Blair warns Sudan of 'tougher measures' London, United Kingdom
22 November 2006 02:57
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British Prime Minister Tony Blair warned on Wednesday that Sudan will face
"tougher measures" if it fails to act on an agreement calling for a United
Nations-African peacekeeping force for war-torn Darfur.
"The only solution is to make sure that the agreement ... is implemented,"
Blair told the House of Commons during his weekly question-and-answer session.
"If the government [of Sudan] does not seize this opportunity then we will have
to look at tougher measures," Blair said.
UN chief Kofi Annan has said he expects a response from the Sudanese government
by Wednesday at the latest on outstanding issues regarding last week's deal for
a hybrid UN-African Union force for Darfur.
He said Khartoum had wanted to consult on the size of the force, which the UN
foresees at 17 000 troops and 3 000 police; the way the force commander should
be appointed; and the role of the special representative who would report to
both the UN and the AU.
Blair said he would speak to Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir later on
Wednesday.
"It's important we keep up the pressure on the Sudanese government ... This is
a very, very serious situation. We have the prospect of a way forward, but we
need to take it," Blair said.
Andrew Natsios, the United States envoy to Sudan, warned Khartoum on Monday to
meet a January 1 deadline for full acceptance of the UN plan or face tougher
action to end atrocities in Darfur.
The war in Darfur erupted in February 2003 when ethnic minority rebels took up
arms against the Arab-dominated regime in Khartoum, prompting a heavy handed
crackdown from the government forces and proxy militia known as the Janjaweed.
The conflict and associated famine and disease have left 200 000 people dead
and displaced 2,5-million more, according to UN figures. Some sources give much
higher figures. -- Sapa-AFP
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