China leads opposition to stronger action

Published on Friday 19 November 2004 00:24

ATTEMPTS to bring a swift end to the bloodshed in the Darfur region of Sudan have so far been hampered by the reluctance of a number of members of the United Nations Security Council to act against a country they regard as a political friend and important trading partner.

While the Security Council has passed two resolutions calling for Sudan to allow in aid workers and African Union troops, disarm the Janjaweed militia and bring to justice those responsible for human rights abuses, it has shied away from actions such as sanctions or sending in a UN force.

The worst culprit has been China, which has struck numerous lucrative oil and arms deals with the Khartoum regime. It says it will veto any resolution that seeks to impose sanctions on Sudan.

China has been selling helicopters and fighter jets to Sudan since the 1990s and is its leading supplier of small arms. In return it has taken a 40 per cent stake in a Sudanese oil refinery producing 300,000 barrels a day; Sudan is now one of China’s main oil suppliers.

Other nations have also resisted attempts to harden up the resolutions. Russia, which sold 12 MiG29 fighters to Sudan as recently as July, has argued against stronger language, although it has refrained from threatening to use its veto.

Pakistan, which abstained on the original resolution, and Algeria have been reluctant to penalise a fellow regime, but there is a feeling both could be brought into line by the United States if it had the political will.

The Philippines has shown a similar reluctance, but is expected to go along with the majority view, as are Benin and Angola, the other African members of the Security Council.