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 KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) - Sudan agreed in principle to a plan that will permit an international force to bolster African troops in Darfur, but almost immediately signaled it will be difficult to progress from an accord to real change in one of the world's bloodiest conflict zones.
Shortly after diplomats reached the agreement in Ethiopia, the Sudanese foreign minister in Khartoum raised objections, insisting the accord entailed the provision of only U.N. technical assistance — not peacekeepers. Sudan has long opposed allowing U.N. peacekeepers into Darfur, saying that would violate its sovereignty.
The force could be as large as 27,000, including the existing 7,000-member AU peacekeeping force in Darfur. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the additional personnel could include as many as 17,000 soldiers and 3,000 police officers.
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