Russia may not lead UN charge for sanctions

As the UN deadline passed Monday for Sudan to disarm Arab militiamen, analysts say that Russia, which now holds the presidency of the Security Council, is not likely to lead the UN charge for sanctions against Khartoum.

Under pressure from Washington and some other Western capitals, Council members voted a month ago to consider punishing Sudan if it did not disarm and prosecute the janjaweed militia.

But Russia which has used modest weapons sales, an oil deal, and closer ties with Sudan to bolster a broader presence in African markets is not expected to focus on Khartoum's abuses.

And Russia is not alone: China, another permanent Council member, has closer ties with Sudan, and deep reservations about sanctions.

The pattern was similar with Saddam Hussain's Iraq with which Moscow had far more lucrative arms and oil deals at stake. For Russia and China, it may all boil down to the pocketbook.

"China is deeply involved in Sudan, in oil export and transportation, and extraction," says Andrei Maslov, editor of Af-Ro: Russia-Africa Business Journal.

"Russian companies are even subcontractors to the Chinese. The pipeline that will be built by Russians will be built for Chinese money, not Sudanese."