Irish Mirror, 4th August 2007

A CHARITY has called on the Government to reconsider its decision to send troops to Darfur in the proposed UN mission. Goal spokesman John O'Shea said: "We want to see the Irish Army play a meaningful role in the alleviation of suffering.

"Joining an army which is entitled to monitor a genocide and hasn't permission to prevent it is Quite useless.

"By refusing to supply troops, the Government would be sending a strong message to the international community that this initiative, like previous UN efforts in Darfur, is unlikely to succeed."

An estimated 200,000 people have been killed in fighting in Darfur, where mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms in 2003