Sudan's president says UN forces are not needed in Darfur

KHARTOUM, Sudan -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir yesterday rebuffed calls for UN peacekeeping troops in war-ravaged Darfur despite personal pleas from New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

Richardson wrapped up a four-day private diplomatic mission with a conditional promise from various factions in the conflict for another cease-fire.

Bashir has resisted international pressure to allow UN forces into Darfur, arguing they would be "colonialist," and he offered fresh criticism of the US treatment of Khartoum. The Sudan leader complained to the US delegation that American promises to Sudan had gone unrealized while little pressure had been applied to rebel groups.

"Our experience with UN operations in the world is not encouraging," Bashir told a reporter in a brief interview yesterday at his residence, a rarity for Western media.

"There are sufficient forces in the Sudan from African countries to maintain order and they can provide order. All we need is funding for the African troops."

Richardson, a potential Democratic candidate for president, pressed his case with Bashir in two meetings during his African visit, emphasizing that despite the divided government in Washington there is bipartisan support for a greater UN role.

While disappointed with Sudan's response on UN troops, Richardson touted the value of getting a cease-fire.

He and Bashir issued a joint press statement that said both sides in the fight agreed to a 60-day cessation of hostilities while they work toward lasting peace. However, many issues were outstanding, including whether Bashir would uphold his verbal agreement despite a history of breaking commitments.

"It's not everything we asked for, but it's an important first step," Richardson said in an interview. "We're slowly moving in the right direction with President Bashir."

He called himself a "facilitator," and added: "I believe we've achieved something significant. It needs to be followed up. But unless there is proper implementation and follow through, this agreement is still up in the air. But I believe we've made an important breakthrough."

More than 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million forced to flee their homes in violence that President Bush has labeled genocide.