|
|
Home
>>
Analysis
>>
Blog
A bi-weekly audio series and podcast service, hosted by Committee on Conscience Project Director Bridget Conley-Zilkic, that brings you the voices of human rights defenders, experts, advocates, and government officials. Vital voices addressing one of humanity's most vital issues. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not necessarily represent those of the Museum.
Page 1 of 1 pages
4/18/07
|
 Earlier this week, Sudanese President Bashir ostensibly agreed to the second of three phases in deploying a hybrid UN-AU force to protect civilians in Darfur. This so-called "heavy support" package would provide much needed assistance to an African Union force that increasingly cannot protect itself, much less civilians. Any optimism about this "step forward" has to be tempered by the fact that Bashir agreed to this phase months ago, then dragged his feet before reneging altogether. So he in effect is re-agreeing after unconscionable delay. One wonders how long it will be before the package is fully deployed. And Bashir continues to reject completely the most important, third phase of the deployment, which would increase the number of troops on the ground to protect civilians to around 20,000.
In any event, a stark reminder (if one were needed) of the worthlessness of Sudanese government promises and its contempt for the UN Security Council is provided by a confidential UN report that was leaked to the New York Times on Tuesday. As the Times summarizes: A confidential United Nations report says the government of Sudan is flying arms and heavy military equipment into Darfur in violation of Security Council resolutions and painting Sudanese military planes white to disguise them as United Nations or African Union aircraft. The report also documents the use of white aircraft to bomb villages. You may recall that the promise to stop bombing people from airplanes painted white was a supposed "step forward" earlier this year. In a few hours, President Bush will address Darfur at the Holocaust Museum. Undoubtedly, this week's step forward was meant to influence what he says. What should be clear beyond any doubt is that in Bashir's dance of death and deceit, every apparent step forward is usually followed by one or more steps back.
(Photo of Sudanese government plane disguised as UN plane from Interim Report of UN Panel of Experts.)
|
|
|
Page 1 of 1 pages
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
