Situation is dire in Darfur

Kansas City Star: The U.N. Security Council must seize the opportunity in Darfur.
An assessment team, sponsored by the United Nations and the African Union, will soon present its findings on conditions in the Darfur region in western Sudan. Its conclusions should be obvious: A large U.N. peacekeeping force is needed to bring peace to the region after almost 31/2 years of fighting.
The Sudanese government and some rebel groups reached a peace agreement in May. However, the violence continued as rebel groups tried to extend their control in the region and the Arab militia known as Janjaweed persisted in attacks on civilians.
Hundreds of thousands have been killed in Darfur, and millions have been displaced. Humanitarian groups with food continue to be denied access to the refugees.
Ineffective peacekeepers
A small African Union peacekeeping force has been ineffective, and the violence occasionally reached neighboring Chad.
Only a strong U.N. force can enforce the peace agreement and end the violence. The Sudanese government, not surprisingly, is opposed to U.N. intervention. But given its horrendous record, Khartoum should not be allowed to have the final word.
The United States should take the lead and encourage the Security Council to authorize the peacekeeping force. For more than two years, the international community has pushed for a solution in Darfur.
The opportunity is now. It should not be wasted.