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Russia advises Sudan to continue dialogue even if Bashir is indicted

January 25, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan must not close doors of dialogue even if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues an arrest warrant for president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir, a senior Russian official said today.

Russian envoy to Sudan Mikhail Margelov (L) speaks to the media next to Ali Sadij, an official in the Sudanese Foreign Affairs Ministry, after meeting Sudanese Foreign Minister Deng Alor in Khartoum January 25, 2009 (AFP)
Russian envoy to Sudan Mikhail Margelov (L) speaks to the media next to Ali Sadij, an official in the Sudanese Foreign Affairs Ministry, after meeting Sudanese Foreign Minister Deng Alor in Khartoum January 25, 2009 (AFP)
The newly appointed Russian envoy to Sudan Mikhail Margelov on his first visit told reporters that to overcome the ICC row “all doors must be open”.

Margelov met with a number of foreign ministry officials today to discuss the Darfur conflict. He also received a briefing from Sudan justice minister Abdel-Basit Sabdarat on the situation in Darfur and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

Sudan official news agency (SUNA) quoted the Russian official as saying that he received “plenty of important information on Sudan’s point of view on what is happening in Darfur and exchange views in addition to the CPA on the international level”.

Sabdarat hailed the Russian involvement saying it has “great international weight” and “Its support to causes of countries and the people” including Sudan.

Last December the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev appointed the speaker of the upper house of the Russian parliament, Mikhail Margelov as special envoy to Sudan. Margelov also heads the Federation Council’s Committee for International Affairs.

Following a visit by Sudan’s defense minister Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein to Moscow last November, Russia expressed interest in investing in the oil sector.

Russia and Sudan has stronger military relations than economic ones with the former selling weapons including fighter jets.

However Margelov’s visit signals Russian interest in expanding relations to include economic aspects.

On the ICC issue the Russian envoy said his government is still working on a position with regards to Al-Bashir’s indictment.

He also said that he will visit the US and France in February to discuss the matter further.

ICC judges are reviewing ten counts presented by prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo in mid-July that include three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of murder and accused Al-Bashir of masterminding a campaign to get rid of the African tribes in Darfur; Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa.

Russia has voted in favor of resolution 1593 referring the Darfur crisis to the ICC. However it hinted that it is willing to support a deferral under Article 16 of the ICC Statute but did not table a resolution.

(ST)

3 Comments

  • Hou Akot Hou
    Hou Akot Hou

    Russia advises Sudan to continue dialogue even if Bashir is indicted
    Yes,the Russian envoy to Sudan might be truthful in his words of calling for continued dialogue between the warring groups of Sudan,but sometimes the UNSC(UNited Nations Security Council)of which Russia has the membership within might not add flavor to this.

    I agree with the envoy’s idea,he has flouted(broken)the law of his coming here.ICC has to play its role on the one hand, and the dialogue has to continue on the other.

    Reply
  • Nhial Reath Thoan
    Nhial Reath Thoan

    Russia advises Sudan to continue dialogue even if Bashir is indicted
    Sudan must open its door even a door to God , but if itis not going to change her way of genocide and other criminal actions ;It will pay the price for what she has been planted.

    Reply
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