US consults on new sanctions measure for Darfur
UNITED NATIONS, The United States is considering a new U.N. resolution on Sudan that would impose an arms embargo and sanctions against those responsible for gross human rights abuses, diplomats said on Tuesday.
No precise text has been circulated, but U.S. diplomats presented "elements" of the plan to key U.N. Security Council members on a planned U.N. peacekeeping force for south Sudan and sanctions, such as a travel ban and assets freeze, aimed at the perpetrators of the violence in Darfur.
The proposals were given to the other four permanent members with veto power -- Britain, France, Russia and China.
Similar sanctions on Darfur have been threatened in a council resolution. But Russia, which has sold arms to Sudan, and China, which has oil interests in the country, objected to enacting them and are expected to do so again.
"We've circulated objectives, not the exact language," said Richard Grenell, spokesman for the U.S. mission to the United Nations. "We need to consider the size and scope of the peacekeeping mission and what task it will have."
He said the United States wanted to "hold the parties accountable for what is going on in Darfur."
"We are testing the waters," Grenell said.
REPORT DUE ON GENOCIDE
The U.S. proposals are in advance of a key report from a five-member international commission, probing whether genocide has been committed in Sudan's western Darfur region.
The 140-page report has been completed and submitted in Geneva, but will first be sent to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, then given to the Khartoum government for its comments and not presented to the Security Council until next week, U.N. spokesman Fred Eckhard said.
The United States has used the word genocide, but diplomats said it was doubtful the report would agree. The report is expected to give details on crimes against humanity, possibly give a list of suspects committing atrocities and recommend Security Council action.
Pro-government militia, at times armed by Khartoum, are blamed for killings, rape and pillaging in Darfur. Some 1.8 million villagers have been made homeless in a fight over power and resources. Rebels opposing the government have looted relief trucks and attacked police stations.
The conflict was sparked in 2003 when rebel groups took up arms against the government in a struggle over resources and power. Khartoum retaliated by arming nomad militias now accused of murder, rape and arson.
Annan last week said the most "logical place" to prosecute suspects of atrocities in Darfur region was the International Criminal Court, a tribunal opposed by the United States. It is unknown whether the new report would recommend such action.
If Russia and China continue to oppose sanctions, the 15-member Security Council has few alternatives but to refer the issue to the International Criminal Court.
A proper trial in Sudan is unlikely and Europeans, who finance the International Criminal Court, will oppose an ad hoc court, such as for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, as too costly.
The Hague-based tribunal came into existence a year ago as the first permanent global criminal court to try individuals for genocide, war crimes and massive human rights abuses. Some 97 have ratified the treaty establishing the court.
But the Bush administration vigorously opposes the court, arguing that U.S. soldiers could be targets of frivolous prosecutions.
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