President Drnovsek Continues to Promote Darfur Initiative
In a surge of activity that left pundits puzzled, President Janez Drnovsek has been tuoring the globe seeking support for his initiative to end the dire humanitarian crisis in the Sudanese region of Darfur.
In Paris, Drnovsek's project was said to have been received favourably by Foreign Minister Phillippe Douste-Blazy and Senate President Christian Poncelet. Drnovsek also met UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and said he hoped there would be a positive change in the situation in Darfur.
President Drnovsek said he valued all efforts by the UN to bring about a solution to the crisis. At the same time he called for more resolute steps to be taken by the international community to find a solution.
Drnovsek also plans to visit Chad and Sudan on 13 and 14 February, although he will not be going to Darfur itself due to security concerns. He moreover plans to involve China, which has significant economic interests in Sudan and could therefore play a major role in the peacekeeping effort.
His tour comes after he presented in early January a joint humanitarian project for Darfur, calling for the construction of a refugee camp, as well as urging a joint international effort in a letter addressed to world leaders and heads of international organisations.
Slovenian President Janez Drnovsek attended on Saturday an Indian pre-inauguration ceremony, which saw Bolivia's newly-elected President Evo Morales perform an ancient Andean Indians ritual, prior to his official swearing-in on Sunday.
Speaking to the CNN about his Darfur initiative on Monday, Slovenian President Janez Drnovsek said that geopolitical interests of the UN Security Council's permanent members were the key reasons behind the powerlessness of the humanitarian efforts in the embattled Sudanese region.
CNN's announced Drnovsek by describing the key features of his initiative, starting with his appeal to world leaders to raise funds in support of the refugees and the peace-keeping forces, and continuing with his proposals for an international conference on Darfur and for a joint effort of the African Union, EU, UN and the G8 group.
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