CHINA IS trying to block the release of a United Nations report that says Chinese bullets have been used against Darfur peacekeepers.
The unpublished report alleges that bullet casings from Chinese weapons manufacturers were found at the site of attacks against peacekeepers from the UN and the African Union. Other casings came from Israel or Sudan itself.
Foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said the report was “based on unconfirmed information and made irresponsible accusations. This is inappropriate. We urge the specialist team to abide by the principles of being objective and responsible in carrying out its work.”
Unanimous consent of the 15 members of the UN Security Council committee that monitors the 2005 arms embargo is needed before the report, written by a panel of experts on the conflict in Darfur, can be released.
Numerous ceasefires and peace negotiations have failed to end the conflict in the volatile western Sudanese region. China buys two-thirds of Sudan’s oil, and sells it weapons and military aircraft. Western governments and human rights campaigners have accused Beijing of indirectly supporting genocide by failing to support deployment of UN forces unless Khartoum agrees.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China also holds a veto over UN resolutions and has been urged to do more to resolve the situation in Darfur. While it is not technically illegal to supply weapons to Sudan, countries must obtain guarantees from its government that such arms will not end up in Darfur.
