US recommends sanctions on one Janjaweed and a rebel

The US is opposing the inclusion of any Sudanese official on a potential UN Security Council sanctions list of individuals blocking peace in Darfur, two diplomats said on Wednesday, reports Evelyn Leopold for Reuters today:

Britain and other nations on a council sanctions committee have recommended a list of eight names of people including some Sudanese government officials who would be subject to a travel ban and an assets freeze. All 15 council nations have to approve.

But the US recommended just one middle-ranking Janjaweed militiaman and a rebel fighting opposing the militia, the diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The names were not disclosed.

Washington expects to include names of government officials in the future, a US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. It wants to be able to gradually increase pressure on Sudan and to make sure there is a solid case against any people on the sanctions list, he said.

Russia, China and Qatar, the only Arab member of the council, appear to want to ditch the sanctions list altogether, diplomats said.