EU sending observers to help monitor ceasefire in Darfur region of Sudan

Monday June 21st, 2004.

BRUSSELS, June 21, 2004 (AP) -- The European Union said Monday it was sending several observers to help monitor a cease-fire in the Darfur region of Sudan in cooperation with the African Union.

"The consolidation of the cease-fire is crucial to prevent a real humanitarian crisis in Darfur," E.U. foreign policy representative Javier Solana said in a statement. "This is the reason why the E.U. member states have quickly decided to take part in the cease-fire monitoring mechanism."

Solana said he wrote Monday to Alpha Oumar Konare, president of the African Union Commission, advising him that the E.U. was placing "several" observers at their disposal, adding that they were already en route.

Saturday, Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir said the armed forces will disarm all warring parties, including the janjaweed - the nomadic Arab militia the government has been accused of supporting.