Brown puts forward plans for Darfur peace talks in London
Sunday, 13 Apr 2008 11:01
International action is being held in an attempt to end the situation in Darfur
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Efforts to secure a peace agreement in Darfur appear to be stymied by the region's deep political complexities. Full Story
Prime minister Gordon Brown has put forward plans for Darfur peace talks to be held in London.
Downing Street released information on the proposed talks ahead of international action held today marking the fifth anniversary of the conflict in the region.
A spokesman said the offer to host talks would hopefully help in bringing about an end to the violence which has plagued the Sudanese region.
Mr Brown called for peace talks to begin once more and for a ceasefire on both sides to begin immediately.
Children's author J.K.Rowling was one of 14 international writers who published an open letter yesterday also calling for an end to the conflict and for the protection of children in Darfur.
More than 3,000 protestors gathered outside the Sudanese embassy in London today with Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg making a speech on the situation in Darfur.
Mr Clegg called on the prime minister to speak out against China's role in Darfur and persuade the communist nation to use its influence to bring the conflict to an end.
"Instead of facing this way and that on the Olympics, unsure of whether he can say boo to China or not, Gordon Brown must take a strong stand with the Chinese Government," Mr Clegg said.
"He must use the year of the Olympics to speak out about China’s role in Darfur and persuade them to change.
"We must put pressure on every faction, every militia, every soldier in Darfur to stop fighting and come to the negotiating table. That is the only way we can secure a lasting peace."
Protestors also gathered in Downing Street where child survivors from the conflict met international development minister Shahid Malik.
Mr Brown pledged to push for faster peacekeeping deployment when he meets with US president George Bush and senior UN figures next week.
"Like the thousands of people taking part in events across the world today I feel frustrated by this appalling situation and the slow progress, but I am determined that we will not fail," he said.
"I am committed to working for a more coherent diplomatic approach to this crisis that does not allow any of the parties to the conflict to flout the will of the international community with impunity in the future."
The Conservatives however criticised Britain's role in failing to resolve the crisis, with international development spokesman Andrew Mitchell also speaking outside the London embassy today.
"This is the fourth Day of Action on Darfur which I've addressed. It is profoundly depressing that so little has changed in all that time," Mr Mitchell said.
"Indeed, since my last visit to Darfur, most things have got worse: the political process is almost non-existent, humanitarian relief is increasingly hampered, and the military position worsens day by day.
"We need tougher, targeted sanctions on the men of violence, greater support for the beleaguered UN-AU mission, an immediate arms embargo, and a reinvigorated peace process to address the root causes of the conflict.
"It is pathetic that we can't even find enough helicopters to support the UN mission. Britain should help to secure these vital helicopters through financial and diplomatic support," he added.