Drnovsek on Darfur: Help Must Take Precedence Over Narrow Interests
"I'm under no illusion that things would take care of themselves now," President Janez Drnovsek has said in reference to his initiative to help bring about an end to the crisis in the Sudanese region of Darfur.
Drnovsek told the press on Monday that his initiative is aimed at getting the world to stop resting on its laurels when it comes to Darfur.
According to him, the aim is to wake the international community in putting pressure on politicians to use their power in the interest of humanity.
The UN has on several occasions discussed the situation in Sudan but has never been able to agree on firm measures.
Many interests, including those of superpowers, are at stake in the case of Sudan, he said. This is blocking an agreement on strong measures, he said.
"For this very reason, I'm trying to get wide support and cause the international public to put pressure on politicians to do everything in their power to work for the good of humanity," he said.
"The UN and its Security Council are often paralysed: once it is one country blocking a decision, then it is another. We must act and make it clear that narrow interests are blocking measures that could save human lives," he said.
His comments come after he addressed a letter last week to world leaders in which he called for action to stop the humanitarian catastrophe in the western Sudanese region of Darfur. He also called on the UN to "wake up" and take action in Sudan in a letter he sent to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
He said that he also intends to call a number of world leaders and other famous personalities to discuss efforts to put an end to the suffering in Darfur.
Drnovsek also told the press that he had informed the Slovenian government of his intent to launch the Darfur appeal and that he has the blessing of Prime Minister Janez Jansa.
I'm expecting the Slovenia government to offer active assistance and support with this project, he said.
More articles from this issue:
Archive
|