UNITED NATIONS - The U.N. Security Council on Tuesday condemned the "murderous attack" on African Union peacekeepers in Darfur amid sharp words over the identity of the perpetrators and how to punish them.
The policy statement, read at a formal meeting, demanded that "no effort be spared" to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of the attack "reportedly committed by a rebel group." The statement was read by Ghanaian Ambassador Leslie Kojo Christian, the current council president.
The 15-nation body's formal response to the weekend attacks that resulted in the death of 10 peacekeepers had been delayed because of a dispute over naming the culprits. Another 10 soldiers were wounded and three are still missing.
After the statement was adopted, Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters it was not as strong as he would have liked because "there were some members of the Security Council for whom it's very difficult somehow to point a finger at rebel groups."
"We wish it were stronger but we have to live with what was practically possible," Churkin said. Unlike a resolution, all 15 council members must agree to a statement.
Other members of the council said one could not be more definitive about the attackers until the African Union, which has 7,000 troops in Darfur, completed its investigation.
Sudan has blamed the raid on breakaway factions of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement or the Sudan Liberation Army's Unity faction. Leaders from both groups have condemned the attack at the Haskanita base in South Darfur on Saturday and denied responsibility.
