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Amnesty Spots Russian and Chinese Planes in Sudan
Amnesty International accused Russia and China of violating the embargo on arms shipments to Darfur in a report issued on Tuesday. According to the international organization, Moscow made $34.7 million last year supplying Khartoum with MiG-29SE and An-26 planes, Mi-25 helicopters and parts to go with them. China sold $83 million in aircraft. Moscow and Beijing deny that.
In Washington, the U.S. State Department is in favor of introducing new sanctions against Khartoum, including a ban on oil exports until it allows a UN peacekeeping force into Darfur. Sudan has resisted the placement of a peacekeeping force. London has supported the U.S. suggestion.
Sanctions against oil exports would be extremely disadvantageous to Russian and Chinese business. China buys two-thirds of Sudanese oil and the Chinese state CNPC oil company is developing deposits in Darfur. The AI report increases the likelihood of new sanctions against Sudan. Yesterday, China announced that that it was sending 300 “military engineers” to Sudan, increasing its military contingent there to 500. According to unofficial information, the oil deposits controlled by CNPC in Darfur are controlled by 4000 soldiers posing as oil workers.
Russia has less to lose there. Compared to the sum derived from its military contracts with India and China (whose real weapons deliveries may exceed official contracts, according to AI).Nonetheless, Moscow will defend the Khartoum regime with all possible diplomatic efforts. In February 2005, Russia sent 200 soldiers to Sudan.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of May 10, 2007
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