[Mb-civic] Geldof Blames China for Sudan War

[Harold Sifton]

     This was taken from Sympatico/MSN news

            Harry

           
            
                 


                 
            Bob Geldof Blames China for Sudan War 
            10/04/2006 10:04:00 AM  

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            Anti-poverty campaigner and Live 8 organizer Sir Bob Geldof accused China on Monday of being responsible for the continuing civil war in Sudan's Darfur region.


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

            "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," Geldof said.

            "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," he said.

            No official figures exist but the conflict is estimated to have claimed more than 180,000 lives since 2003 and driven millions from their homes.

            Geldof was in Athens to pick up a humanitarian award from the Greek branch of Doctors of the World.

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

            "Everybody is aware of Iraq. Iraq is a nightmare and many people will die before it's over. But it will pass," said the former singer for Irish punk group "Boomtown Rats."

            Geldof, who also organized the Live Aid concert in 1985, said Live 8 was his last: "I'd be too old by the time the next one comes along."
           
     
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