KEVIN Rudd, Opposition Leader and, as I hope and believe, our next prime minister, made an important speech in New York recently.
He said: "The situation in Darfur is a humanitarian tragedy. We need action. On the question of Australian contribution to that action, I'd like to look at whatever proposals came forward from the UN and to see whether we've got the capacity to assist in some way or another."
That may sound like a fairly cautious statement and it is, because Rudd won't make promises he can't keep. But he has nevertheless recognised that the situation in Darfur needs action.
An international force must be assembled and put on the ground in western Sudan, between the Sudanese regime and its surrogates on the one hand and the people of Darfur on the other.
Strong sanctions must be put in place to bring the regime of General Bashir to its senses. Unlike some other murderous regimes, such as those in Burma and Zimbabwe, Sudan is very economically vulnerable and sanctions can have a real impact. If Sudan's ability to export oil is cut off, the regime will no longer be able to buy arms and General Bashir and his cronies will no longer be able to live the life of luxury in their palaces in Khartoum, as they are currently doing.
That's why I was pleased this week to see the US and Britain have threatened Sudan with sanctions and other punitive measures unless it agrees to accept a UN peacekeeping force in Darfur.
So, once again, the West must come to the rescue. The problem is the UN cannot act without the approval of the Security Council and that China, Russia and France all have the power of veto.
China is the Sudanese regime's principal international backer and has played an utterly shameful role in the ongoing genocide against the people of Darfur – but China is not the only offender.
Sudan has been importing MiG fighter jets from Russia since 2003 for use against civilians. France has sold large quantities of small arms to Sudan.
So, once again, the world may be faced with an international humanitarian crisis caused by a rogue genocidal regime and find the UN is unable to act because of the veto power of the axis of selfishness – China, Russia and France.
As we can see in Iraq, unilateral intervention does not always produce happy results.
But sooner or later the international community will need to take tough action against Sudan.
Ideally this should take place under a UN mandate. But if the UN is once again hamstrung by the veto, then other courses of action may have to be considered.
* Michael Danby is federal member for Melbourne Ports. This is an edited version of a speech given this week
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