ME and Ophelia

ANNAN:
To visit Darfur

June 16 KHARTOUM Middle East Online - United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan will pay a visit to Sudan in the coming days to see for himself the humanitarian and security situation in Darfur region, a newspaper reported Wednesday.
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BBC NEWS HAVE YOUR SAY
How can we help Darfur's refugees?

The director of Unicef has warned that a humanitarian disaster is looming in Sudan's Darfur region. BBC asks: How can we help Sudan's refugees? Has the world community been too slow to react? How should multinational charities respond? Read the comments - and send them yours.

Note: BBC will be discussing the plight of refugees around the world with UNHCR goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie on their global phone-in programme, Talking Point on Sunday 20 June at 1400 GMT. Put your questions to Angelina Jolie.
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US PRESSURES KHARTOUM
Over Darfur

June 16 Nairobi: Extracts - "The United States government is threatening to take action against Sudan over what it said were ongoing human rights atrocities in the western region of Darfur.

"We do not intend to stand by while violence and atrocities continue in Darfur," said Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Charles Snyder in a statement before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Tuesday. "Our message to the government of Sudan is clear: Do what is necessary now, and we will work with you. If you do not, there will be consequences. Time is of the essence. Do not doubt our determination."

Further reading:
June 15: allAfrica: United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hearing, 'Sudan: Peace, but at What Price?', Testimony of Julie Flint on Behalf of Human Rights Watch
June 15 allAfrica: Statement of Roger Winter, Assistant Administrator USAID, Before the Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa.