In 2004, the United States declared that what the Sudanese government was doing in Darfur was genocide.  The UN has not consistently applied its energies and power to deal with this 21st century tragedy.  Instead of enforcing clear UN resolutions and directives, the UN has waffled and accepted the clever delaying tactics of the Khartoum government.  A 26,000-member UN authorized peacekeeping force is supposed to deploy into Darfur beginning 1 January 2008.  It would replace the much smaller African Union contingent that has been unable to protect itself or civilians from government-backed tribal militias or rebels in a conflict that has religious (Christian vs. Muslim), ethnic and political dimensions.  But the Sudanese government has effectively delayed any implementation of the UN force directive.  That government has cloaked its obstructionism in anti-imperialist, anti-foreign rhetoric:  “Intervention in Darfur is a front for white powers again lusting for African conquests.”  The world community sits back and permits this carnage to go on.  Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Chad all have the capability to force Sudan to comply.  Further, if the UN were truly effective, it could coerce Sudan into compliance.  But once again, we see a UN characterized by ineffective waffling and accepting the Sudanese delays with no accountability.  It is a shameful day for the United Nations.  Thousands of Darfur people are dying because of this ineptitude on the part of the UN.