'China wants Sudan's oil'

2006-04-10 20:19

Athens - Anti-poverty campaigner and Live 8 organiser Sir Bob Geldof has accused China of responsibility for the continuing civil war in Sudan's Darfur region.

On Monday the Irish rock star, nominated for the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for organising last year's Live 8 benefit concerts, said China was protecting the Sudanese government because it provides 6% of China's oil.

Geldof said: "I was in Darfur 20 years ago and people were killing each other then.

"It's an ancient battle between nomadic people and settled people, between Arab Africans and black Africans, between Islam and Christians.

"The reason why it has not been resolved is because of China.

"The Chinese protect the Khartoum government, who are killers, and they will not allow a vote in the Security Council so 250 000 people die in Darfur."

There are no official figures for the death toll in the Sudanese war.

The conflict is estimated to have claimed more than 180 000 lives since 2003 and driven millions from their homes.

Geldof was speaking in Athens, Greece, where he was presented with a humanitarian award from the Greek branch of Doctors of the World.

The 54-year-old also said Africa received "too little attention" compared to places like Iraq.

Geldof said: "Everbody is aware of Iraq. Iraq is a nightmare and many people will die before it's over. But it will pass."

Today's greatest political problem, Geldof said, was the "continuing economic decline of a continent that is 13 kilometres from Europe."

- AP