January17, 2007:
The UN took a look at the fighting in western Sudan (Darfur), that is
spreading into Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR). The UN decided that
it was too dangerous for UN peacekeepers. The problem is that, in these border
areas, it has become so dangerous (with various armed gangs wandering around),
that UN aid workers could not go into many areas where there were refugees in
need of help. Demands for protection led to the UN study, and conclusion that
the region was too chaotic for even peacekeepers. This all the result of the
Sudanese tactic of subsidizing tribal militias to do the dirty work (chasing
away tribes that support rebel movements, now being extended to dissident
groups in Chad and CAR. The problem is, the Sudanese government has little
control over these gangs. If UN peacekeepers were sent in, they would be at war
with the border gangs from Chad and CAR, with no government to appeal to. In
Chad and CAR, Sudan has created monsters over which it has no control. But many
UN members find this unacceptable, and demand that something be done. However,
the same nations that are risk-averse, or unwilling to criticize a fellow Arab
government, are blocking any action.