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I hope there are other international affairs gurus here that understand the intent of these sanctions. These sanctions are not identical to the sanctions placed on Iran or Iraq before the fall of Saddam. The sanctions on Sudan are meant to apply economic pressure to Sudan's major trading partners and allies: Russia and China. Gas prices around the world are increasing because China and Russia are demanding more petroleum. This increased demand with a diminishing supply allows oil-possessing governments and companies to raise prices. The Khartoum government in Sudan is making millions from oil exports to China and Russia; namely China.
The sanctions are designed the put pressure on the Sudanese economy. If sanctions are put on Sudanese oil exports the government will lose its major source of revenues. With LESS money, the government's financial support of the Janjaweed militia will be diminished. Not to mention, Russia and China will have no reason to support Khartoum. This is an excellent diplomatic move on the part of the Bush Administration.
This is what I believe the administrations intentions are:
By proposing sanctions in the UN, the US looks like the liberator they claim to be. UN nations will support these sanctions and they will get the necessary votes in the Security Council. The only way these sanctions will be stopped is by a veto from Russia or China. If they veto the sanctions, Russia and China will look like the obstacle to peace that they are. It will be Kosovo all over again, only this time Sudan has more publicity and media play. If China and Russia veto, the US will take NATO action to clean up their liberator image (as Clinton did with Kosovo).
If China and Russia take the bait, they will drop support for Khartoum and Sudan will become fair game for a UN intervention on humanitarian grounds.
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The history of the world is but the biography of great men.
-Thomas Carlyle
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