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UN to press Sudan on Darfur force UN to press Sudan on Darfur force
(about 2 hours later)
The UN chief is sending envoys to press Sudan's leader to accept non-Africans in the peacekeeping force due to arrive in Darfur at the end of December. The UN chief is sending envoys to press Sudan's leader to accept non-African troops in the peacekeeping force due to arrive in Darfur later this month.
Ban Ki-moon dispatched the high-level officials to a summit in Lisbon.Ban Ki-moon dispatched the high-level officials to a summit in Lisbon.
In 25 days' time a new joint African Union-UN force is due to take over from the existing overstretched African Union troops in Darfur.In 25 days' time a new joint African Union-UN force is due to take over from the existing overstretched African Union troops in Darfur.
But the deployment is in trouble - partly as Khartoum still has not agreed to accept non-African peacekeepers.But the deployment is in trouble - partly as Khartoum still has not agreed to accept non-African peacekeepers.
They include contingents from Thailand, Nepal, Sweden and Norway.They include contingents from Thailand, Nepal, Sweden and Norway.
The force is also lacking 24 helicopters vital for operating in Darfur - an area the size of France.The force is also lacking 24 helicopters vital for operating in Darfur - an area the size of France.
So Mr Ban is sending two senior UN officials to Lisbon to meet Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir, who will be attending the European Union-Africa summit there this weekend.So Mr Ban is sending two senior UN officials to Lisbon to meet Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir, who will be attending the European Union-Africa summit there this weekend.
No pledgesNo pledges
The aides will try to get the Sudanese leader to agree to the composition of the force and other issues, like giving permission for the peacekeepers to fly at night.The aides will try to get the Sudanese leader to agree to the composition of the force and other issues, like giving permission for the peacekeepers to fly at night.
UN Security Council diplomats say the Sudanese do not want a credible force and that is why they are raising so many objections.UN Security Council diplomats say the Sudanese do not want a credible force and that is why they are raising so many objections.
The problem of equipping the peacekeepers is a separate difficulty.The problem of equipping the peacekeepers is a separate difficulty.
Mr Ban has called on world leaders and so far has not got a single helicopter pledged. Mr Ban has called on world leaders but so far, not a single helicopter has been pledged.
Countries are either overstretched or unwilling to send helicopters to Darfur, which is seen as hostile terrain.Countries are either overstretched or unwilling to send helicopters to Darfur, which is seen as hostile terrain.