Beijing, March 07: China on Friday strongly defended its
"special" role in finding a solution to the bloody conflict in
Sudan’s Darfur region but said its influence should not be
overestimated, as it dismissed as "groundless" a charge that
its arms sale was fuelling the strife in the east African
country.
China’s special envoy on the Darfur issue Liu Guijin also
flayed attempts to link the Darfur issue to the Olympics and
"tarnish" the image of the games, saying such attempts were
doomed to failure.
He said the Darfur issue required concerted efforts of
all and the Sudanese government should cooperate better with
the international community and show more flexibility while
the rebel groups should return to the negotiating table.
The international community, including some western
nations, should exert their influence over relevant parties,
said Liu, fresh from a tour of Britain, Sudan, Chad and France
to help resolve the Darfur issue.
"The accusations by some countries about China’s arms
sale to Sudan fuelling the conflict is groundless", official
Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying.
Liu said among the seven countries exporting arms to
Sudan, China accounted for only 8 percent of its arms imports
in 2006. The US, Russia and Britain were the biggest arms
exporters to the developing nations, including Sudan.
He also pointed out that the United Nations and the
international community had not yet exerted arms embargo or
regulations on Sudan.
Government-backed militia is engaged in a civil conflict
with non-Arab ethnic groups in Darfur region, where UN
estimated 200,000 people have died as a net result of war,
famine and disease. China has a big stake in the oil industry
in Sudan and is a major arms supplier to it.
Liu said as China and Sudan had always maintained
friendly cooperative relations, Beijing could make some
special contributions to the Darfur issue. "China has done a
great deal in order to solve the Darfur issue."
The Chinese government actively made efforts at
mediation, he said, adding that the issue should be solved
through dialogue and negotiation.
Sharply attacking attempts to link politics with the
Olympics, he said it was "the cold-war mentality" and an act
that went against the basic spirit of the games.
He said those who still "wear coloured spectacles" on
China should abandon such attempts, which would "not only
damage the Olympic spirit, but also do harm to themselves.
"We are open to and welcome any suggestions or comments
on the Olympics, even if it contains misunderstandings, and
would like to accept those reasonable elements," Liu said.
Some organizations have criticized china accusing it of
not making enough efforts to end the bloodshed in the Darfur
conflict.
It had gained more prominence recently when Hollywood
film maker Spielberg severed links with the Olympics as an
artistic director saying Beijing did not do enough on the
Darfur strife.
Bureau Report