Chinese language - Darfur rebels conduct raid on oil field

WORLD / Africa

Darfur rebels conduct raid on oil field

(AP)
Updated: 2006-11-28 10:33

KHARTOUM, Sudan - Darfur rebels attacked an oil field in a rare extension
of their campaign eastwards toward the Sudanese capital and said Monday
the military garrison guarding the field had surrendered.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir addresses journalists from various
Western capitals in a three-hour long video conference on Monday, Nov. 27
in Khartoum, Sudan. The Sudanese president on Monday again rejected
United Nations troops in Darfur as 'colonial,' but hinted he was still
trying to find a middle ground with the UN on how blue helmets could
support the existing African peacekeeping force in the wartorn region.
[AP]

But the government said its forces repelled the assault and were in full
control of the Abu Jabra oil field Monday.

The attack on the field on the edge of South Darfur appeared to be
another sign that Darfur's violence was spreading across the region

"The government garrison guarding the oil field was totally destroyed,"
the National Redemption Front rebel group said in a statement. "Numerous
soldiers, including high-ranking officers and generals, have
surrendered," the rebels said, claiming to have shot down an army
helicopter and to have captured a "substantial amount" of weapons and
military vehicles.

A Sudanese military spokesman denied the army had surrendered, saying its
troops had "inflicted heavy causalities on the rebels, who withdrew from
the area." He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with official
policy.

The rebel raid came amid heightened violence in Darfur, where
pro-government janjaweed militia have been accused by the United Nations
of forcing 60,000 people to flee their homes this month. Violence in
Darfur over three years has killed 200,000 people and displaced 2.5
million.

Western nations are seeking to deploy UN peacekeepers in the troubled
zone, but Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir Monday restated objections to
UN troops on the ground, referring instead to a middle ground where UN
peacekeepers could support the existing African force currently deployed.

Al-Bashir's comments came as UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he was
expecting a final commitment from Sudan on a deal reached in principle
earlier this month for the UN to conduct a "hybrid mission" with the
African Union force in Darfur.

Khartoum had first signaled it was satisfied with the agreement but has
since backtracked on the nature of the mission, opposing the idea that
peacekeepers and the force's command structure could come from outside
the AU.

During a three-hour long video conference with journalists in several
international capitals, al-Bashir did not detail Khartoum's exact
position on the latest compromise deal, but said he had concerns over the
force's make up.

"The Secretary-General's position is a positive step, but we have
reservations on a joint force and on its command structure," al-Bashir
told reporters.

A Sudanese official in the oil industry said Abu Jabra's capacity had
been damaged in the attack, but insisted it would not affect overall
production. The state-owned facility pumps up to 10,000 barrels per day -
a relatively small output. The official spoke on condition of anonymity,
citing the sensitivity of the issue.

Observers fear Darfur's violence threatens to destabilize the entire
region. Neighboring Chad accuses Sudan of backing a rebel raid that
briefly took a large Chadian town and threatened the capital in recent
days.

To the south of Darfur, the Central African Republic also alleges Sudan
is backing a local rebellion. Khartoum denies both charges, but aid
workers in the west Darfur town of El Geneina said they had seen Chadian
rebel groups operating freely in the area. The aid workers spoke on
condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

Sudanese officials say the country produces about 500,000 barrels per day
and that oil revenue should be at least $4 billion this year, more than
half of the government's income.

Most of Sudan's oil reserves are in the south of the country, which is
now semi autonomous under a separate peace agreement that southern rebels
signed with the government in January 2005.

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