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Annan presents Darfur force plan Annan presents Darfur force plan
(20 minutes later)
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has opened a conference on the crisis in Sudan's Darfur region with a new plan for the peacekeeping force there.UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has opened a conference on the crisis in Sudan's Darfur region with a new plan for the peacekeeping force there.
The plan envisages strengthening African Union peacekeepers, leading to a hybrid force with UN troops, whose deployment Sudan has up to now refused.The plan envisages strengthening African Union peacekeepers, leading to a hybrid force with UN troops, whose deployment Sudan has up to now refused.
Analysts say it is unclear if Sudan will accept the plan, being discussed at the conference in Ethiopia.Analysts say it is unclear if Sudan will accept the plan, being discussed at the conference in Ethiopia.
More than 200,000 people have died in three years of conflict in Darfur.More than 200,000 people have died in three years of conflict in Darfur.
UnwaveringUnwavering
The BBC's Adam Mynott in Addis Ababa, where the conference is taking place, says the meeting followed acceptance by the UN that Sudan was not going to allow the replacement of African Union (AU) peacekeepers by a UN body.The BBC's Adam Mynott in Addis Ababa, where the conference is taking place, says the meeting followed acceptance by the UN that Sudan was not going to allow the replacement of African Union (AU) peacekeepers by a UN body.
UN'S THREE-STEP DARFUR PLAN 1) AU $21m support package2) Deploy several hundred soldiers and police3) Hybrid force with substantial UN command and control Q&A: Darfur peacekeepingUN'S THREE-STEP DARFUR PLAN 1) AU $21m support package2) Deploy several hundred soldiers and police3) Hybrid force with substantial UN command and control Q&A: Darfur peacekeeping
Mr Annan wants firstly to reinforce the existing AU contingent, which has been under-resourced and ineffective, by supplying extra money, troops and equipment.Mr Annan wants firstly to reinforce the existing AU contingent, which has been under-resourced and ineffective, by supplying extra money, troops and equipment.
Then the UN would deploy several hundred soldiers and police officers to help the 7,000 AU troops in Sudan.Then the UN would deploy several hundred soldiers and police officers to help the 7,000 AU troops in Sudan.
The third step is an AU-UN hybrid peacekeeping force.The third step is an AU-UN hybrid peacekeeping force.
African troops would get UN logistical support and there would be substantial UN involvement in the command and control of the peacekeepers.African troops would get UN logistical support and there would be substantial UN involvement in the command and control of the peacekeepers.
The Sudanese government's opposition to a United Nations presence of any description in Darfur has so far been unwavering.The Sudanese government's opposition to a United Nations presence of any description in Darfur has so far been unwavering.
But diplomats say Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has indicated in private that he might accept the proposals.But diplomats say Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has indicated in private that he might accept the proposals.
He does not object to the AU forces being strengthened.He does not object to the AU forces being strengthened.
Escalating violenceEscalating violence
Sudan's government says the scale of the problems in Darfur is being exaggerated for political reasons.Sudan's government says the scale of the problems in Darfur is being exaggerated for political reasons.
President Bashir is not opposed to the AU forces being strengthened The UN has had to accept Sudan's refusal on UN troops
It claims it is disarming Arab militias, known as Janjaweed, who have been accused of carrying out genocide on its behalf.It claims it is disarming Arab militias, known as Janjaweed, who have been accused of carrying out genocide on its behalf.
But Sudanese troops and rebel movements have intensified fighting recently.But Sudanese troops and rebel movements have intensified fighting recently.
Two million people have been driven from their homes into camps where they face the constant threat of violent death, rape, hunger and degradation.Two million people have been driven from their homes into camps where they face the constant threat of violent death, rape, hunger and degradation.
Neighbouring Chad has declared a state of emergency after the violence in Darfur spilled over the border.Neighbouring Chad has declared a state of emergency after the violence in Darfur spilled over the border.
The UN secretary general has said that the UN is considering stationing observers on Chad's border.The UN secretary general has said that the UN is considering stationing observers on Chad's border.
"We are looking at the possibility of putting UN observers or some sort of international presence on the border and working with Chad's government to ensure refugees there are protected and cross-border attacks are minimised," Mr Annan said ahead of the meeting."We are looking at the possibility of putting UN observers or some sort of international presence on the border and working with Chad's government to ensure refugees there are protected and cross-border attacks are minimised," Mr Annan said ahead of the meeting.
On Wednesday, Chad's ambassador to Ethiopia accused Sudan of planning to destabilise the entire central African sub region and called for the AU to intervene and condemn Sudan.On Wednesday, Chad's ambassador to Ethiopia accused Sudan of planning to destabilise the entire central African sub region and called for the AU to intervene and condemn Sudan.