European Union foreign ministers called Monday for the United Nations to "immediately investigate" whether atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region constitute genocide, highlighting growing impatience with the Sudanese government for failing to end the conflict.
| These guys stall worse than Dan Rather. |
The 25 EU foreign ministers urged U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to "establish as soon as possible" a special inquiry. In a statement they also urged Sudan to stop the fighting and implement a cease-fire in Darfur or face U.N. sanctions, including a possible oil embargo. They said there was "no indication that the government of Sudan has taken real and verifiable steps to disarm and neutralize" the warring factions. The ministers added an investigation was necessary to confirm Washington's claims that acts of genocide were being committed.
| "Like, you expect us to take the word of a bunch of simple peasants?" |
They called for "an international commission of inquiry ... to immediately investigate all violations of human rights and humanitarian law in Darfur, and to determine whether acts of genocide have occurred." British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw refused to call the atrocities in Darfur genocide but said an investigation was urgently needed. "Some people call it genocide, some people call it ethnic cleansing, some people call it civil war, some people call it none of the above," he said. "Whatever it is, it's a desperate situation which requires the urgent attention of the world."
His German counterpart, Joschka Fischer, called it "a humanitarian catastrophe with genocidal potential," while French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said there was "massive violation of human rights" occurring.
| ... quacks like a duck ... |
So far, the European Union has been hesitant to back Washington's claims that the crisis can be considered genocide.
The EU ministers threatened sanctions against Sudan sometime starting in 2009, unless the French disagree "if no tangible progress is achieved" in meeting U.N. demands. "Sudan will need to understand that the prospect (of sanctions) will come much closer, turn into a reality, unless we see ... cooperation by them on this crucial issue of law and order and safety in Darfur," Straw said. He said that would be the focus of discussions at the U.N. Security Council later this week, which is expected to pass a newstrongly worded resolution against Sudan. Ismail said he doubted the United Nations would impose sanctions on Sudan, citing opposition from France and China some U.N. countries. "It would be very difficult for the U.S. or the Security Council of the United Nations to pass any sanctions on Sudan," he said in Seoul.
| Might find it easier just to drop JDAMs. |
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