The international community should promote the political process
on the Darfur issue while deploying a joint UN-AU peacekeeping
operation in the Sudanese region, Chinese Ambassador Wang Guangya
said Tuesday.
"Peacekeeping deployment is only one aspect of the settlement of
the Darfur issue. The 'two-track strategy' should continue to be
implemented by accelerating the political process," Wang said after
the 15-member council unanimously adopted Resolution 1769
authorizing deployment of AU-UN hybrid operation in Darfur,
explaining China's stance.
"The fundamental prerequisite for achieving lasting peace and
stability in Darfur is to encourage all factions in the region to
conclude and implement a comprehensive peace agreement," said Wang,
who also served as president of the Security Council for July.
He said China welcomes the success of the second Tripoli
Conference and appreciates and supports the great efforts made by
the two special envoys of the AU and the UN.
"As a next step, the international community should take
effective measures to persuade and press the non-signatories to
participate in the political process," he said.
Noting the broadly shared view that a root cause for the Darfur
crisis is poor development in the region, Wang called for more
attention to rehabilitation, reconstruction and development in
Darfur.
"The international community should take a long-term
perspective, work out at an early date a development strategy for
Darfur in consultation with the government of Sudan, and provide
more input to economic and social development in Darfur, so as to
fundamentally improve the livelihood of the people and uproot the
source of conflicts," the ambassador added.
He said China sincerely hopes to see an early settlement of the
issue in a fair, equitable and proper manner.
"We hope the Resolution adopted today will serve as a new
starting point for enhanced cooperation between the international
community and the government of Sudan, and greatly promote the
political process of comprehensive settlement of the Darfur issue,"
Wang said. "The Chinese side will continue to take a constructive
and active part in the process."
(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2007)
