Satellite photos, eyewitnesses reveal Beijing selling weapons to Sudan, despite embargo

By AsiaNews.it
July 14, 2008

An investigation by the BBC provides, for the first time, proof of Chinese jets and heavy weaponry used against civilians, sold in spite of the embargo. Beijing is not responding, while the UN is asking to examine the evidence.

China is selling arms to Sudan and training its pilots to fly the Chinese Fantan A5 jet, in violation of the United Nations embargo. The accusation is made by the authoritative British Broadcasting Corporation, at the conclusion of an investigation.

The government of Sudan has for some time been accused of using airplanes to strike civilians, but it was never possible to prove what kind of jet was being used. Now satellite photos show Chinese Fantan jets leaving the airport of Nyala in February and June, in southern Darfur, and the BBC says that these are the only jets on the base. It reports testimonies of air raids against civilian targets, with many victims.

The news agency says that two tanks with anti-aircraft weapons have also been filmed in the area, believed to be part of a group of 212 military vehicles that in 2005 the UN "suspected" China of sending to Khartoum, without being able to find proof. Eyewitnesses have reported that these vehicles were used in December in the attack on the city of Sirba, in western Darfur, to strike residences. They launch missiles that explode on impact, scattering deadly shrapnel.

There is no comment from the Chinese government, while the UN intends to examine the evidence from the BBC. The embargo is intended to prevent genocide in Darfur, where it is estimated that 300,000 have already been killed and two million displaced. Beijing has been repeatedly accused of violating the embargo, and has defended itself by first denying any arms sales, and then saying that in any case its weapons are not used in Darfur.

Experts observe that the worldwide boycott against Sudan over Darfur has allowed China to become a privileged commercial partner, obtaining oil and raw materials in exchange. For some time, international public opinion has accused China of fostering government genocide, and in recent years it has even been proposed that the Olympics should be boycotted if Beijing does not make a serious effort to exact peace from Khartoum. Beijing responds that it is promoting economic development in the country, which helps the population.

卫星照片和证人表示北京不顾禁运向苏丹出售武器

英国广播公司BBC首次发表证据显示，尽管联合国对苏丹政府施行禁运，但达尔富尔地区针对平民屠杀中使用中国产重武器。北京不作回应，联合国要求对证据进行调查

--尽管联合国对苏丹实行禁运，但中国向苏丹出售武器、帮助喀土穆训练驾驶中国制造A5攻击机的飞行员。日前，权威的英国广播公司BBC在一项调查后发表报告，提出上述指控。

       长期以来，苏丹政府被控利用飞机空袭平民。但是，却从未查证出采用什么型号的攻击机。现在，卫星照片显示，中国制造A5攻击机于今年二月和六月从达尔富尔南部的恩亚拉机场起飞。BBC表示，准备作证表明向平民发动空袭造成多人死亡。

英国通讯社还指出，在当地拍摄到了两辆军用卡车。据悉，是二OO五年联合国"怀疑"中国送给喀土穆的212辆军事车辆之一，但苦于没有证据。证人还表示，上述军备物资于去年十二月用在了打击达尔富尔地区西部西尔巴市军事行动中。

中国政府未对此作出任何评论。联合国表示会检验BBC提供的证据。禁运旨在防止达尔富尔的种族屠杀。据统计，当地已造成三十多万人死亡、两百万人流离失所。北京多次被指控违法禁运。对此，中国政府历来言词驳斥，否认出售武器。然后，又表示，总之上述武器并没有用在达尔富尔地区。

专家指出，世界性抵制苏丹，使中国得以成为喀土穆最主要的贸易伙伴，并首先赢得了石油和原材料。长期以来，国际舆论指责中国支持苏丹政府的种族屠杀。甚至在近几个月以来发出威胁，声称如北京不采取行动推动达尔富尔和平，将通过种种手段阻挠北京奥运会。北京的回应是，支持苏丹造福于民的经济发展。

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