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UN chief seeks more time on Darfur sanctions
AFP
UNITED NATIONS
Petroleumworld.com 05 30 07UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday pleaded for more time to secure the deployment of a robust peacekeeping force in Darfur as the United States pressed for a new Security Council resolution to toughen sanctions on Sudan.
Ban, who recently asked Washington to hold off on the planned sanctions while he tries to coax Khartoum into allowing the dispatch of a joint African Union-UN peacekeeping force in Darfur, told reporters: "I need some more time."
Earlier Tuesday, US President George W. Bush said he had directed his Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to seek a new UN resolution broadening economic sanctions on Sudan's leaders, expand an arms embargo on Sudan, and bar Sudanese military flights over Darfur.
US President George W. Bush on Tuesday tightened US sanctions on Sudan over "genocide" in Darfur and pushed for a tough new UN Security Council resolution to punish Khartoum.
He also announced tougher sanctions that will bar another 31 Sudanese companies, including oil exporters, from US trade and financial dealings, and take aim at two top Sudanese government officials.
Bush, speaking at the White House, accused Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir of using military forces and government-aligned militias to attack rebels and civilians in the violence-wracked region and blocking peace-making efforts.
Commenting on Bush's moves, Ban said: "This is a decision of the US Government...I hope the international community can work in a mutually reinforcing way to bring resolution on this matter as soon as possible."
Saturday, Sudan said the UN secretary general agreed to travel to Khartoum to discuss plans for the joint AU-UN peacekeeping force for Darfur.
The announcement followed Friday's endorsement by the UN Security Council of plans for a hybrid UN-AU force of up to 23,000 peacekeepers, subject to the approval of Khartoum, which has so far consistently rejected the proposals.
AFP 29 1827 GMT 05 07
Copyright© 2007 AFP. All Rights Reserved.
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