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Bush toughens sanctions on Sudan Bush toughens sanctions on Sudan
(10 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has announced fresh sanctions against Sudan over the four-year Darfur conflict.US President George W Bush has announced fresh sanctions against Sudan over the four-year Darfur conflict.
Mr Bush said more Sudanese companies and individuals involved in the violence in Darfur would be barred from trading or banking with the US.Mr Bush said more Sudanese companies and individuals involved in the violence in Darfur would be barred from trading or banking with the US.
He also said he would push for a new UN Security Council resolution to put more pressure on President Omar al-Bashir.He also said he would push for a new UN Security Council resolution to put more pressure on President Omar al-Bashir.
More than 200,000 people have died in the four-year conflict between rebels and pro-government militias in Darfur.More than 200,000 people have died in the four-year conflict between rebels and pro-government militias in Darfur.
"For too long the people of Darfur have suffered at the hands of a government that is complicit in the bombing, murder and rape of innocent civilians," Mr Bush said."For too long the people of Darfur have suffered at the hands of a government that is complicit in the bombing, murder and rape of innocent civilians," Mr Bush said.
"My administration has called these actions by their rightful name: genocide."My administration has called these actions by their rightful name: genocide.
SANCTIONS ON SUDAN 30 Sudanese firms targetedMostly firms in oil businessThree individuals listedBarred from US banking systemBarred from business with US Americans take up cause "We're targeting sanctions against individuals responsible for violence."SANCTIONS ON SUDAN 30 Sudanese firms targetedMostly firms in oil businessThree individuals listedBarred from US banking systemBarred from business with US Americans take up cause "We're targeting sanctions against individuals responsible for violence."
It is unclear how much extra leverage the new US sanctions will bring, says BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus.It is unclear how much extra leverage the new US sanctions will bring, says BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus.
The Sudanese government criticised the new sanctions as "unfair and untimely" and urged the rest of the world to ignore them.The Sudanese government criticised the new sanctions as "unfair and untimely" and urged the rest of the world to ignore them.
"I think it [the US] has revealed its intentions and that it does not want stability," Majdhoub al-Khalifa, an adviser to the Sudanese president, told al-Jazeera television."I think it [the US] has revealed its intentions and that it does not want stability," Majdhoub al-Khalifa, an adviser to the Sudanese president, told al-Jazeera television.
"Even when there are peace developments amongst Sudan, the UN and the African Union, the US comes with an opposing role, as if it does not want peace, which is now growing in Darfur, to last or develop.""Even when there are peace developments amongst Sudan, the UN and the African Union, the US comes with an opposing role, as if it does not want peace, which is now growing in Darfur, to last or develop."
Current US sanctions already mean Sudanese companies cannot use US dollars, making international trade more difficult. US sanctions imposed in 1997 mean Sudanese companies cannot use US dollars, making international trade more difficult.
But the effects of these measures have been limited as China has become one of Sudan's major trading partners, supplying arms to Sudan and buying more than half of its oil. It has also spent millions of dollars investing in Sudan's oil infrastructure.But the effects of these measures have been limited as China has become one of Sudan's major trading partners, supplying arms to Sudan and buying more than half of its oil. It has also spent millions of dollars investing in Sudan's oil infrastructure.
'Not timely''Not timely'
Even before Mr Bush spoke, China condemned the fresh US sanctions and said investing in Sudan was a better way to stop the violence.Even before Mr Bush spoke, China condemned the fresh US sanctions and said investing in Sudan was a better way to stop the violence.
Q&A: Darfur crisis US officials said 30 companies controlled by the Sudanese government, mostly in the oil business, are now barred from the US banking system or from doing business with US firms or individuals.Q&A: Darfur crisis US officials said 30 companies controlled by the Sudanese government, mostly in the oil business, are now barred from the US banking system or from doing business with US firms or individuals.
Another company suspected of shipping arms to Sudan has also been added to the sanctions list.Another company suspected of shipping arms to Sudan has also been added to the sanctions list.
Also targeted are three individuals, including a rebel leader, who are suspected of involvement in the violence in Darfur.Also targeted are three individuals, including a rebel leader, who are suspected of involvement in the violence in Darfur.
The new US measures toughen existing sanctions imposed in 1997 and take effect immediately US government officials said. The AP news agency says these are:
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  • Ahmad Muhammed Harun, state minister for humanitarian affairs, accused of war crimes in Darfur by the International Criminal Court
  • Sudan's head of military intelligence and security, Awad Ibn Auf
  • Rebel Justice and Equality Movement leader Khalil Ibrahim.
Arms banArms ban
After Mr Bush's announcement, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said the bloc was open to considering new sanctions against Sudan.After Mr Bush's announcement, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said the bloc was open to considering new sanctions against Sudan.
He said the matter would be discussed on Wednesday at a meeting of G8 foreign ministers in Berlin.He said the matter would be discussed on Wednesday at a meeting of G8 foreign ministers in Berlin.
Mr Bush has directed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to consult the UK and other countries to pursue new UN Security Council sanctions against Sudan.Mr Bush has directed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to consult the UK and other countries to pursue new UN Security Council sanctions against Sudan.
HAVE YOUR SAY Sudan needs sanctions that bite into the lives of the perpetrators in Khartoum Nyakairu, US Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Sudan needs sanctions that bite into the lives of the perpetrators in Khartoum Nyakairu, US Send us your comments
He also called for Sudan to allow more international peacekeepers into Darfur.He also called for Sudan to allow more international peacekeepers into Darfur.
"I call on President al-Bashir to stop his obstruction and to allow the peacekeepers in and to end the campaign of violence that continues to target innocent men, women and children," he said.
Having given new UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon some space, President Bush's patience has now run out, our correspondent says.Having given new UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon some space, President Bush's patience has now run out, our correspondent says.
The UN is stepping up pressure on Sudan's government to end the conflict, which has devastated the western Sudanese region since 2003.The UN is stepping up pressure on Sudan's government to end the conflict, which has devastated the western Sudanese region since 2003.
On Friday, the Security Council endorsed proposals to let a combined UN-African Union peacekeeping force protect civilians and use force to prevent violence.On Friday, the Security Council endorsed proposals to let a combined UN-African Union peacekeeping force protect civilians and use force to prevent violence.
The officials said they had not yet secured agreement from China on the issue.The officials said they had not yet secured agreement from China on the issue.
China - which wields a veto on the UN Security Council - has opposed plans to use sanctions to force Mr Bashir to accept a UN peacekeeping force.China - which wields a veto on the UN Security Council - has opposed plans to use sanctions to force Mr Bashir to accept a UN peacekeeping force.
The existing AU force has been unable to stop the violence.