China defends Darfur stance as pressure grows

BEIJING, July 27 (Reuters) China defended its stance on Darfur today and urged patience as Western critics warned that Beijing's reluctance to back stronger action in the troubled Sudanese region could blight Olympic Games goodwill.

China has pressed Sudan to accept UN peacekeepers alongside African Union forces struggling to quell bloodshed in Darfur.

Experts estimate that 200,000 people have died and 2.1 million been displaced there by violence involving pro-government Arab militia fighting other ethnic groups.

Western powers have proposed that a draft Security Council resolution endorsing the 26,000-strong ''hybrid'' force invoke Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which would give authority to use force irrespective of Sudan's views.

After months of negotiations, Sudan agreed to the joint force but has objected to using Chapter 7.

Beijing has been generally reluctant to back U.N. action that would override Sudanese objections, and its envoy on Darfur said coercion ''will lead us nowhere''.

''China insists on using influence without inferference, and we know respect for all parties is vital to finding a solution,'' envoy Liu Guijin told the official China Daily.

His words came as a convergence of looming dates threw fresh attention on China's role in Sudan, where it is the biggest foreign investor and buys much of the oil.

He did not comment on the draft resolution, but his comments suggested China was still looking for a compromise that Sudan can accept.

Liu said other parties must ''learn to deal with the Sudanese government'' as a ''legitimate government that deserves respect''.

On Aug 8, Beijing celebrates the one-year countdown to its Olympic Games, which foreign activists have warned they could brand as the ''genocide'' games unless China uses more leverage to help bring peace to Darfur.

As a permanent member of the Security Council, China has the power to veto resolutions, and this month is also president of the body.

US critics warned China that blocking tougher UN provisions could bring a backlash just as country wants a friendly glow on Olympic preparations.

''The moment of truth is at hand,'' said Eric Reeves of Dream for Darfur, a US group that has often criticised China's stance, in an emailed statement.

''Beijing's actions going forward must be judged in the context of a present decision about Chapter 7 authority.'' A Western official familiar with negotiations told Reuters that China had objected to having Chapter 7 in the resolution, as well as a passage saying Sudan had allowed illicit arms to flow to Darfur and not punished killers there.

''I think they would like a very short resolution that authorises the hybrid force and nothing more,'' said the official by telephone. He requested anonymity citing the sensitivity of negotiations.

''They've wanted to delete Chapter 7 authority for the force, but if it doesn't have that authority it goes in naked.'' China's final position remained to be seen, but it had also objected to other proposals of Western powers, including a ''unified chain of command'' under the United Nations for the joint force, the official said.

''That risks making it difficult to operate. It invites confusion and would give Khartoum much more leverage to pressure the forces,'' he said.

Film director Steven Spielberg may quit his position as artistic adviser to the Beijing Olympics if China does not take a harder line over Darfur, ABC News reported, citing his spokesman.

Envoy Liu said critics linking Darfur to the Olympics were ignorant of China's efforts to bring peace.

REUTERS GT RN1536