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China, Russia in 'weapons breach' China, Russia deny weapons breach
(about 1 hour later)
Rights watchdog Amnesty International has accused China and Russia of supplying arms to Sudan for use in Darfur, in breach of a UN arms embargo. China and Russia have denied claims by Amnesty International that they are supplying arms to Sudan for use in Darfur, in breach of a UN arms embargo.
A report by Amnesty says the weapons end up in the hands of the government-backed Janjaweed militia. A report by the rights group says the weapons end up in the hands of the government-backed Janjaweed militia.
It includes apparent photographic evidence of Sudan using military aircraft camouflaged white in Darfur. It also includes apparent photographic evidence of Sudan using military aircraft camouflaged white in Darfur.
But the Sudanese ambassador to the UN, Abdel Mahmood Abdel Haleem, said the allegations were a lie. China said its exports to Sudan were legal, limited and on a small scale. Russia also denied any embargo breach.
"Our reaction to the Amnesty International allegations is very easy - it is a total rejection as it is baseless and unfounded," he told the BBC. A Russian foreign ministry official said Moscow "unswervingly" observes the UN restrictions.
The Sudanese ambassador to the UN, Abdel Mahmood Abdel Haleem, said the Amnesty allegations were "baseless and unfounded".
The use of all-white aircraft and helicopters... in Darfur is in violation of applicable norms of international humanitarian law Amnesty International Quick guide: DarfurThe use of all-white aircraft and helicopters... in Darfur is in violation of applicable norms of international humanitarian law Amnesty International Quick guide: Darfur
"These photos may be a plane in the Central African Republic or maybe for one in south Sudan, but it is not in Darfur. We are not on combat missions in Darfur at all." He told the BBC the Amnesty pictures were not of a plane in Darfur, adding: "We are not on combat missions in Darfur at all."
The four-year conflict in Darfur has seen more than 200,000 deaths, and the Janjaweed militia are accused of displacing and killing tens of thousands of people. More than 200,000 people have died during a four-year conflict in Darfur, and the Janjaweed militia are accused of displacing and killing tens of thousands of people.
PhotographsPhotographs
In its report, the human rights group calls on the UN Security Council to strengthen the arms embargo on Darfur, which was extended in March 2005 to cover all parties. In its report, Amnesty calls on the UN Security Council to strengthen the arms embargo on Darfur, which was extended in March 2005 to cover all parties.
Amnesty says it is "dismayed that certain governments, including two permanent Security Council members, are allowing ongoing flows of arms to parties in Sudan". Amnesty says it is "dismayed" that two permanent members of the UN Security Council are "allowing ongoing flows of arms to parties in Sudan".
The report provides photographs of what it says was an Mi-24 attack helicopter at Nyala in Darfur and says its registration markings show it was a replacement for another.The report provides photographs of what it says was an Mi-24 attack helicopter at Nyala in Darfur and says its registration markings show it was a replacement for another.
The images were reportedly taken between January and March, during which time Amnesty says Chinese Fanfan jets were also seen at Nyala.The images were reportedly taken between January and March, during which time Amnesty says Chinese Fanfan jets were also seen at Nyala.
And Amnesty provides photos of an all-white, Russian-built Antonov 26 military plane, with the registration code ST-ZZZ.And Amnesty provides photos of an all-white, Russian-built Antonov 26 military plane, with the registration code ST-ZZZ.
It says it appears there are "three planes with this registration number" and links them to "unconfirmed bombing raids in Darfur". It says it appears there are "three planes with this registration number" and links them to "unconfirmed bombing raids" in Darfur.
The Amnesty report backs a UN study, leaked to the New York Times last month, which said Sudan was painting aircraft white to make them look like UN planes.The Amnesty report backs a UN study, leaked to the New York Times last month, which said Sudan was painting aircraft white to make them look like UN planes.
"The use of all-white aircraft and helicopters... in Darfur is in violation of applicable norms of international humanitarian law," the new report says."The use of all-white aircraft and helicopters... in Darfur is in violation of applicable norms of international humanitarian law," the new report says.
Sudan denies using any white aircraft for military purposes, but says it has some white helicopters to transfer officials.Sudan denies using any white aircraft for military purposes, but says it has some white helicopters to transfer officials.
Amnesty says its report is based on eyewitness accounts from Darfur and "confidential sources".Amnesty says its report is based on eyewitness accounts from Darfur and "confidential sources".
'Lies''Lies'
The Amnesty report backs UN findings leaked this month that Sudan is flying weapons into Darfur in breach of UN Security Council resolutions. The Amnesty report backs the UN findings suggesting that Sudan is flying weapons into Darfur in breach of UN Security Council resolutions, a claim denied by Sudan.
Janjaweed fighters on horseback have rampaged through Darfur Janjaweed fighters on horseback have rampaged through DarfurBut Amnesty says Sudan is "routinely failing to seek [UN] approval to move weapons... into Darfur", it says, and is importing weapons it knows will be used to target civilians.
Sudan denied those accusations, saying it was just moving material. The human rights group says Russia and China are aware of the eventual uses of arms exported to Sudan.
Amnesty says Sudan is "continuing to divert and deploy imported attack and other military aircraft... as well as firearms and ammunition... to target civilians directly".
Sudan is "routinely failing to seek [UN] approval to move weapons... into Darfur", it says.
The human rights group says Russia and China have transferred arms and ammunition to Sudan "aware that many such arms are being deployed... for direct attacks on civilians".
It cites 2005 trade figures as showing China sold $24m and Russia $21m of military material to Sudan.It cites 2005 trade figures as showing China sold $24m and Russia $21m of military material to Sudan.
Amnesty has also accused Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Belarus of supplying arms.Amnesty has also accused Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Belarus of supplying arms.
China has a close relationship with Sudan, increasing its military co-operation with Khartoum earlier this year.China has a close relationship with Sudan, increasing its military co-operation with Khartoum earlier this year.
The relationship is based around Khartoum's plentiful supply of oil, which China needs to fuel its booming economy, says the BBC's Daniel Griffiths in Beijing.The relationship is based around Khartoum's plentiful supply of oil, which China needs to fuel its booming economy, says the BBC's Daniel Griffiths in Beijing.
We are not using these aircraft for any military function in Darfur Abdel Mahmood Abdel HaleemSudanese UN ambassadorWe are not using these aircraft for any military function in Darfur Abdel Mahmood Abdel HaleemSudanese UN ambassador
However, Amnesty now says it wants a list made of all items prohibited for transfer and for UN personnel to be stationed at all ports of entry in Sudan.However, Amnesty now says it wants a list made of all items prohibited for transfer and for UN personnel to be stationed at all ports of entry in Sudan.
Amnesty also wants all UN states to suspend the transfer of any arms and ammunitions likely to be used by the parties in Darfur.Amnesty also wants all UN states to suspend the transfer of any arms and ammunitions likely to be used by the parties in Darfur.
But Mr Haleem said that military assets were simply being moved around the country. But Mr Haleem said military assets were simply being moved around the country.
Mr Haleem told the BBC: "We are moving these military assets to their respective places. We are not using these aircraft for any military function in Darfur."Mr Haleem told the BBC: "We are moving these military assets to their respective places. We are not using these aircraft for any military function in Darfur."