by Václav Havel
Wednesday August 22, 2007
The Guardian
This trace of hope offers a rare chance for Darfur. The global consequences could hardly be greater.
The critical conditions that prevail in Darfur are causing immense suffering. Both sides of the conflict – the government of Sudan and its allied forces, as well as all the opposition groups in Darfur – must understand that civilians should no longer fall victim to their political disputes.
The Sudanese government’s consent to the deployment of the UN/African Union mission, which aims to keep peace in the region, is a welcome development. But the mandate of this mission must be strong enough to allow for full protection of civilians. Moreover, the force must have sufficient manpower and funding to put this vital objective into practice. The countries and institutions that have committed additional funds in order to help secure the success of this mission – notably France, Spain, and the European commission – should all be applauded.
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Dandelion Salad 