The
"I think what is important is that we put thisback on the agenda of the international community and the SecurityCouncil," British Prime Minister Tony Blair told a joint press conferencewith African Union chairman and Ghanaian President John Kufuor in London.
"We must show we are prepared to take toughaction if the situation doesn't change," he insisted.
"What is happening in
The same message was made across the
"It is simply the case that the Sudanesegovernment needs to recognize that the international community can't stand idlyby while people suffer," Rice said.
"We are indeed looking at other options,including options that might require further UN action."
The mooted stiffer sanctions would include a broaderUN arms embargo applying to the whole of
The US and
Analysts believe the momentum for tougher actioncame after Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir backed away from an earlier dealwith the UN to deploy a 20,000-strong peacekeeping force in
"He's now not only going back on his word tothe
Coalition
In addition to the possible UN action, the
Andrew Natsios, President George W. Bush's specialenvoy for Darfur, told several human rights groups Wednesday that theadministration was preparing its own package of economic sanctions against
Natsios said the sanctions could includerestrictions on companies that do business with
He cited plans to impose travel bans on andconfiscate the assets of three individuals in
Senior
The UN Human Rights Council this week accusedBeshir's government of orchestrating crimes and human rights abuses inwar-ravaged
However, the 57-member Organization of IslamicConference has vowed to stop the UN body from considering the report.
It insists that a new UN mission should beappointed, with members approved by the Sudanese government, so that humanrights violations in
One team member,