A meeting upon which hope for the future of Darfur rested ended
in Paris yesterday, after discussions took in needed political and
economical support for the joint United Nations (UN) and African
Union (AU) mission force in Darfur, refugee assistance, and on
widening the Sudanese parties welcomed to the negotiating
table.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, giving a press
conference after the meeting, spoke of a "small light at the end of
the tunnel," and announced the convening of a similar meeting in
September.
US Secretary of State Condolezza Rice also spoke out, pledging a
renewed commitment from the international community which would no
longer "continue watching without acting" on the Darfur crisis.
Chinese deputy foreign minister Zhang Yesui also praised the
agreement on the hybrid force which was reached between the UN, AU
and Sudan. He said this showed a real commitment to peace but he
did bemoan the lack of political process seen so far on Darfur,
putting it far behind schedule when compared with peace-keeping
operations.?
He also spoke out in support of the the political process "road
map" presented by the UN secretary general's special representative
Jan Eliasson and the AU's special coordinator for Darfur Salim
Ahmed Salim. If followed, this road map would ask different parties
to pressurize the Darfur rebels in returning to peace talks
soon.
The implementation of the "road map" is a "crucial" stage, and
such a momentum can be maintained by avoiding pressure and
sanctions. The latter options would send "wrong signals" and would
potentially wreck any confidence-building exercise between the
government and the rebels, he said.
China will continue its unrelenting efforts for a resolution to
the Darfur issue, added Zhang, illustrating the "positive and
constructive" role played by China by pointing out the humanitarian
assistance it has sent to Darfur, and the team of engineers ready
for deployment there.
(Xinhua News Agency June 26, 2007)
