China Defends Darfur Policies

BEIJING (AP) — China is defending its policies in Darfur and is rejecting attempts to link the humanitarian crisis to the Beijing Olympics.

The Beijing Olympics organizing committee has expressed regret over Steven Spielberg’s statement that China wasn’t doing enough to pressure Sudan into ending the conflict.

The committee says linking the Darfur issue to the Olympic Games will not help to resolve the issue and is not in line with the Olympic Spirit.

China is believed to have special influence with Sudan’s Islamic regime because it buys two-thirds of Sudan’s oil exports while selling it weapons.

For his part, President Bush tells the BBC he still plans to attend the Beijing games though he’s concerned about the slow pace of international action on the Sudan crisis.