KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) January 8, 2007 — New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson got a bleak assessment Sunday of the deteriorating situation in Darfur, but expressed optimism for a breakthrough with the Sudanese president he has been able to work with in the past.

President Omar al-Bashir has refused to allow U.N. troops into the violence-wracked region, allowing only 20 civilians to be deployed for assistance.

The peacekeeping force would provide protection to the 2.5 million people uprooted since early 2003 as a result of sectarian conflict. More than 200,000 people have died, victims of violence as well as malnutrition and disease.

Richardson, a potential 2008 presidential candidate, heard disturbing reports of rape, death and corruption from the top U.S. diplomat in Sudan and humanitarian workers, but said he was not deterred from the challenge of trying to help bring peace where years of international efforts have failed.

“I think we make some measurable progress if we can help the cease fire and the humanitarian situation and possibly start a united political process that helps the U.N. peacekeeping effort alive,” he said.

Richardson was to meet with al-Bashir on Monday in Khartoum, then fly to Darfur on Tuesday to meet with rebel leaders and the commander of overwhelmed African Union forces assigned to patrol the area.

“I have to tell you, my record with Bashir is pretty good,” the governor told the skeptical humanitarian officials.

Richardson flew to Sudan at the request of the Save Darfur Coalition because he has negotiated successfully with al-Bashir in the past over the release of foreign prisoners.

Bad news as soon as he lands

He had been on Sudanese soil just minutes when Cameron Hume, the chief diplomat who was an aide to Richardson when the governor was U.N. ambassador, laid out the challenge to make progress. “I don’t think anybody’s strategy is working,” Hume told Richardson.

Richardson visited the presidential residence for three hours Sunday night for a celebration of Sudan’s independence — where al-Bashir addressed the crowd in Arabic — but the two did not greet one another.

Later, he met with 13 representatives of aid groups working in Darfur who asked not to be quoted by name out of fear of reprisal by the Sudanese government. Some said they were doubtful Richardson can make progress with the president and one suggested he was being used by al-Bashir and should refuse to meet with him.

Richardson is planning to announce soon whether he will run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, and the trip highlights his extensive international experience in a competitive field.

On a 17-hour flight to Sudan, Richardson huddled with five advisers around a table in the private jet chartered by billionaire philanthropist S. Daniel Abraham for the trip. Richardson asked them how he could help encourage a cease-fire, continue the flow of humanitarian aide and persuade al-Bashir to allow United Nations peacekeeping troops in the region.

The group game up with a two-page memo of talking points going into the meeting that lacked specific timetables or numerical goals. For instance, they would like to jump start African Union patrols in some locations, work toward a cease fire and get al-Bashir’s commitment a three-stage plan to send some 20,000 peacekeepers and police to Darfur.

The walls in Sudan have ears

Hume warned during a gloomy hour-long briefing for Richardson’s delegation that he was assuming that everything that was said in the room was being monitored by Sudanese intelligence. He repeated the sentiment later with the aid workers.

Hume said the African Union troops who are supposed to be providing protection in Darfur have slowed patrols. But Hume said Richardson might be able to convince the A.U. force commander to step up patrols, at least in some areas.

Hume explained that rising chaos and violence is making it more dangerous for humanitarian groups to travel and distribute aid.

One of the humanitarian officials who briefed Richardson said 13 aid workers have been killed since a cease fire was signed in July, more than 100 of their vehicles were stolen last year and over 400 have had to be relocated to protect their security in the last couple of months.

Hume said violence has increased in El Fasher, where Richardson visited last September and planned to return Tuesday. Richardson was there earlier to retrieve a journalist from New Mexico who had been imprisoned — a release that was the result of Richardson’s face-to-face negotiations with al-Bashir. Since that visit, Hume said, there has been gunfire in town, including a shooting by government paramilitary forces opposed to the governor.