"There has been important progress," Ms. Frazer told a news conference
in Khartoum on Nov. 3. "But we are looking to get at least 3,000 to 4,000 in
Darfour."
The joint peace-keeping mission, launched in January 2008, has been
hampered by a shortage of transportation aircraft and helicopters. About
11,500 of the planned 26,000 peace-keepers have arrived in Darfour amid
accusations that the Sudanese government was hampering the effort.
In September 2008, officials said, the Bush administration discussed
with Sudan a U.S. plan to airlift peace-keepers. They said Khartoum did not
object to the U.S. offer, and the airlift could begin over the next few
weeks.
Egypt has agreed to contribute at least 2,000 troops to the UN-AU
mission. Officials said the Egyptian contribution would raise mission
strength to 15,000 by 2009,
