Australia to join Darfur peacekeepers
March 30, 2008 - 9:09AM
Australia will contribute nine officers to a United Nations mission in the war-torn African nation of Sudan, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says.
Mr Rudd made the commitment during talks with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York on Saturday.
Up to 400,000 people are believed to have died from fighting and famine since the war broke out five years ago.
Mr Rudd said Australia was concerned and frustrated by the Sudanese government's continued obstruction.
"The people of Darfur are suffering, we need to give effect to the resolve already achieved by the United Nations to deploy a force," Mr Rudd told reporters.
"The secretary-general asked the Australian government for some support for that force.
"I've indicated that a modest level - that is a commitment of military officers up to a threshold of nine military officers - will be made available to assist with that force in Darfur."
Mr Rudd defended the small size of the contribution, saying the Sudanese government generally had not welcomed substantial military commitments from western powers.
"I regard that as unfortunate but that is the reality," he said.
"Our commitment along these lines is consistent with that which has been provided by the government of the United Kingdom and the government of Canada - in both cases, about nine military officers to assist with the overall preparation of the wider force."
Australia would also provide a further $5 million in humanitarian assistance to the people of Darfur, he said.
He called for the UN Security Council to take further action against Sudan.
"Darfur is a continuing humanitarian tragedy. The international community has a responsibility to act," Mr Rudd said.
"That action is currently being frustrated still by the government of Sudan and our government is of the view that these matters soon need to be brought back to the UN Security Council so that the government of Sudan can be held properly to account for its continued obstruction."
link
http://news.smh.com.au/australia-to-join-darfur-peacekeepers/20080330-22eq.html#
March 30, 2008 - 9:09AM
Australia will contribute nine officers to a United Nations mission in the war-torn African nation of Sudan, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says.
Mr Rudd made the commitment during talks with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York on Saturday.
Up to 400,000 people are believed to have died from fighting and famine since the war broke out five years ago.
Mr Rudd said Australia was concerned and frustrated by the Sudanese government's continued obstruction.
"The people of Darfur are suffering, we need to give effect to the resolve already achieved by the United Nations to deploy a force," Mr Rudd told reporters.
"The secretary-general asked the Australian government for some support for that force.
"I've indicated that a modest level - that is a commitment of military officers up to a threshold of nine military officers - will be made available to assist with that force in Darfur."
Mr Rudd defended the small size of the contribution, saying the Sudanese government generally had not welcomed substantial military commitments from western powers.
"I regard that as unfortunate but that is the reality," he said.
"Our commitment along these lines is consistent with that which has been provided by the government of the United Kingdom and the government of Canada - in both cases, about nine military officers to assist with the overall preparation of the wider force."
Australia would also provide a further $5 million in humanitarian assistance to the people of Darfur, he said.
He called for the UN Security Council to take further action against Sudan.
"Darfur is a continuing humanitarian tragedy. The international community has a responsibility to act," Mr Rudd said.
"That action is currently being frustrated still by the government of Sudan and our government is of the view that these matters soon need to be brought back to the UN Security Council so that the government of Sudan can be held properly to account for its continued obstruction."
link
http://news.smh.com.au/australia-to-join-darfur-peacekeepers/20080330-22eq.html#