Bush announces new sanctions on Sudan

U.S. President George W. Bush on Tuesday announced new sanctions on Sudan meant to punish the government of Omar al-Bashir for not stopping the violence plaguing the western province of Darfur.

Bush announced in April that the United States was prepared to slap tougher sanctions on Sudan, but had held off imposing them at the urging of U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. Ban pressed for patience amid signs that Bashir would work to disarm militias and allow U.N. peacekeepers into the restive area.

''Unfortunately, he hasn't met those obligations,'' Bush said in announcing the new measures. ''President Bashir's actions over the past few weeks follow a long pattern of promising cooperation while finding new methods for obstruction.''

As part of the expanded economic sanctions, 30 companies owned or controlled by the Sudanese government and one additional company will be barred from the U.S. financial system and from doing business with U.S. companies.

Targeted sanctions that would criminalize business dealings with U.S. companies will also be levied on ''individuals responsible for violence'' in Sudan, Bush said.

Bush also said the United States would consult with Britain and other members of the U.N. Security Council on a new sanctions resolution that would include an expanded embargo on arms sales to the Sudanese government and prohibit offensive military flights over Darfur.

While announcing the new U.S. sanctions and pressing for stronger U.N.-imposed penalties on Sudan, Bush said the United States would continue to support diplomatic efforts to end the Darfur crisis. He also pledged to push for U.N. support of African Union peacekeepers and a larger hybrid contingent of U.N. and African Union peacekeeping troops.

Bush said the United States would continue urging the full implementation of the Darfur peace agreement signed in May 2006. He urged the Sudanese leadership and the international community to support efforts to bring peace to Darfur and Sudan.

''I call on President Bashir to stop his obstruction, and to allow the peacekeepers in, and to end the campaign of violence that continues to target innocent men, women and children,'' he said.

Hundreds of thousands have died and more than 2 million have been forced to flee their homes since February 2003, when conflicts broke out between rebels and pro-government forces.