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US Asks China to Press Sudan on Darfur Peacekeepers
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=15C333B:A6F02AD83191E1607541039C7E3FEDC29574F7DCC14957C0 US special envoy
for Sudan says Chinese have recently shown change in attitude, and are
now taking an active role in applying pressure on Khartoum The U.S.
has asked China to use its leverage with Sudan to push the African
nation to allow U.N. peacekeepers into its conflict-ridden Darfur
region. China has long supported the Sudanese government, but U.S.
Special Envoy for Sudan Andrew Natsios says the Chinese have recently
shown a change in attitude, and are now taking an active role in
applying pressure on Khartoum. Daniel Schearf reports from Beijing.

China is a long-time political ally of Sudan. As the largest consumer
of Sudanese oil and a supplier of arms to the country, China has
considerable influence there.







Omar al-Bashir (9 Jan 2007)Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in
December appeared to bow to international pressure over the situation
in the region of Darfur, where millions have been killed or displaced.

Mr. Bashir promised to allow more U.N. peacekeepers to support
struggling African Union forces who are trying to bring peace to the
region. But there are concerns he may not fulfill that promise.

Speaking to reporters Friday in Beijing, Andrew Natsios, the U.S.
special envoy for Sudan, said had asked the Chinese to use their
influence to persuade Mr. Bashir to hold his word.







Andrew NatsiosHe said, "Our policy and the Chinese policy are closer
than I realized they were, and I think the Chinese are going to play
an increasingly important role in helping us to resolve this."

Natsios praised the Chinese for making active efforts to help the
peace process in Sudan. Chinese President Hu Jintao, during an African
Summit in Beijing last year, urged the Sudanese president to accept
U.N. troops.

More than 200,000 people have been killed and millions made homeless
in Darfur. Civilians have been murdered and raped by militias
allegedly supported by the government in Khartoum.

Natsios said violence in Darfur has worsened since a peace agreement
was signed in May. He said the Sudanese government is not providing
assistance to displaced people there, and aid agencies are unable to
reach those in need.


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