U.N. imposes deadline on militias

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NEW YORK -- The U.N. Security Council adopted a U.S.-drafted resolution yesterday that gave Sudan 30 days to disarm Arab militias blamed for killing thousands in the Darfur region or else face diplomatic and economic punishment. Sudan rejected the resolution.

The resolution was adopted with 13 votes, with China and Pakistan abstaining despite U.S. efforts to overcome objections by deleting the word "sanctions" from the text.

The United States said the resolution was a tough warning to Sudan to rein in the militias, known as the Janjaweed, accused of widespread atrocities that some observers have said amount to genocide in the barren western region of Sudan.

"The resolution in stern and unambiguous terms puts the Sudanese government on notice that it must comply," U.S. Ambassador John Danforth said. "Sudan must know that it faces sanctions if it refuses to do so."

Later yesterday, Sudan's government said the resolution conflicted with its existing agreements with the world body.

"Sudan expresses its deep sorrow that the issue of Darfur has quickly entered the Security Council and has been hijacked from its regional arena," Information Minister El-Zahawi Ibrahim Malik said. "It pains Sudan to have to express its rejection of the Security Council resolution, which was a not correct one."

Sudan earlier defended its efforts in Darfur and called on the international community to send help.

The United States and other supporters insisted that the resolution, which was revised four times, maintains the threat of sanctions if not the word.

At least 30,000 people have been killed as pro-government Arab militias staged a brutal campaign against black farmers in a 17-month conflict.

Sudan promised U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan in a July 3 agreement that it would crack down on the Janjaweed militia and other outlawed rebel groups, but humanitarian groups and U.S. officials say they have failed to honor that pledge.

Sudan's U.N. Ambassador Elfatih Muhammad Erwa said his government was working to end the violence and such warnings would harm its efforts.

China said it abstained because it believed the Sudanese government has been cooperating with efforts to end the violence and would continue to do so.

The resolution calls on Sudan to disarm the Arab militias and would impose an arms embargo on individuals, groups or governments that supply the militias or black African rebel groups in Darfur.

It requires Mr. Annan to report every 30 days and "expresses its intention to consider further actions, including measures as provided for in Article 41 of the [U.N. Charter] on the Government of Sudan in the event of noncompliance."

While Article 41 does not authorize the use of armed force, it could be used to authorize "complete or partial interruption of economic relations ... and the severance of diplomatic relations."

Aid groups criticized the final version of the resolution, saying it wasn't tough enough and relied too much on the Sudanese government.

The Arab League's representative at the United Nations, however, said more time was needed and sanctions would be "detrimental" to the efforts of the African Union.