UNITED NATIONS – American led efforts to impose sanctions on four men in Sudan suffered a setback yesterday when an African Union mediator, Salim Ahmed Salim, said he hoped an agreement could be reached by the end of this month between warring factions in Darfur – implying a delay in any action out of Turtle Bay.

Mr. Salim’s report to the council yesterday strengthened the hand of a group of council members, led by China and its ambassador, Wang Guangya, that argue measures against Sudan should be discussed at Turtle Bay only after an April 30 deadline for reaching a negotiated agreement in Darfur passes. The African Union chose that date when talks began in Abuja, Nigeria.

America yesterday circulated a draft resolution to impose sanctions on four Sudanese, whose names were not made public. Ambassador John Bolton said, “We’d like to move quickly,” and bring the resolution to a vote.

Mr. Wang said he did not think that the dispute between his country and America on Sudan would affect President Hu’s White House visit. “Real gentlemen do expect differences, but do work together,” he said.

Mr. Salim’s report provided little evidence that an agreement was imminent, but he said that during the “marathon” negotiations he led in Abuja, the factions “had gradually and systematically exhausted all the arguments.” The Khartoum government is “beginning to show some flexibility,” Mr. Salim said.