Clearly the government, at the expense of its citizens, is building up its war machine. For the first time in the war it has the revenue to support it. Khartoum is also receiving extra help from oil developers. China, in particular, is improving Sudan's infrastructure and aiding the military under the guise of oil operations. Relief workers have identified Chinese workers at both military and oil installations.
Sanctions block U.S. firms from participating in Sudan's oil trade.
But sanctions are applied unevenly. Overseas oil companies particularly Talisman Energy of Canada and PetroChina are traded on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. The United States granted a license to General Electric to manufacture spare locomotive parts for Sudan last year. Soft drink manufacturers lobbied successfully to continue importing gum arabic, an important natural ingredient in their beverages. Talk of sanctions will hover like storm clouds over Mr. Bush and his pledges of free trade.