Sanction Threat Works, Sudan to Solve Crisis

The Sudanese administration had initially announced that it did not recognize the Security Council resolution that gave Sudan 30 days to bring the Janjaweed militias under control.

"We are not pleased by the UN’s decision," declared Al Said yesterday. "However, to the contrary of Israel, which ignores the decisions, we will implement the Security Council’s decision. We will do our best to disarm the militant groups here. If we do not, we know that our enemies will use it as an excuse and attack us."

The ambassador pointed out that Khartoum sent nearly 6,000 police forces to the region. He hit back at claims that the police were no different than the militia groups already operating in the region.

Al Said insisted that there was no religious or cultural problem standing in the way of a solution. He requested that the international community give Sudan another chance to solve the issue through the African Union.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said that despite the Sudanese government’s decision, the UN would take necessary initiatives in order to end the skirmishes in the region. "Let’s hope that the Sudanese government ends the crisis within the given time," said Powell.

The fighting in Darfur began in February 2003. Up to 50,000 people may have died and over one million have been forced to flee their homes.