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Chirac Calls For Sudan to Accept Peacekeepers in Darfur
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=16404FF:A6F02AD83191E1602497710CFC16F4DF9574F7DCC14957C0 More than 30
African heads of state are in Cannes, France, for biennial summit
aimed at strengthening France's relations with Africa





Jacques Chirac (file photo) French President Jacques Chirac has opened
a French-African summit with a call for Sudan to accept an
international peacekeeping force in war-torn western Darfur region.

More than 30 African heads of state are in Cannes, France, Thursday
for the biennial summit aimed at strengthening France's relations with
the continent.

In his opening address, President Chirac said it is time for the
Sudanese government and all parties in Darfur to accept peacekeepers
and halt their attacks in the region.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has so far rejected efforts to
deploy a U.N.-proposed peacekeeping force of about 20,000 to Darfur.

Sources in Mr. Chirac's office say the Sudanese president is likely to
meet on the sidelines of the summit with his counterparts from Chad,
Idriss Deby, and the Central African Republic, Francis Bozize.

Violence in Darfur has spilled over into both countries, which share
borders with the region.

This is likely to be the last summit hosted by Mr. Chirac. The
74-year-old president has hinted he plans to retire after 12 years in
power. French officials have said they want to reassure African
leaders that France's ties to the continent will remain close after
Mr. Chirac's departure.

Hundreds of African protesters and members of international non-profit
organizations are expected in Cannes. They say the summit does little
to help average Africans.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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