The Sudanese government swiftly rejected the resolution but reversed its stand July 31. The council approved the resolution 13-0, with China and Pakistan abstaining.

"Sudan is not happy with the Security Council resolution, but we will comply with it to the best of our ability," Osman al-Said, Sudan's ambassador to the African Union, said at a news conference in Ethiopia.

"Because should we fail to do so, we know our enemies would not hesitate to take other measures against our country," he added.

However, al-Said lashed out at the United States, which drafted the resolution giving Khartoum 30 days to disarm and prosecute marauding Arab militia or face sanctions.

"Sudan completely rejects the motive of the U.S. government in sponsoring the resolution because it has nothing to do with the welfare of the people of Darfur or of Africa," he said.

However, the three African countries on the council -- Algeria, Angola and Benin -- strongly supported the resolution.

The Japan Times Weekly: Aug. 7, 2004
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