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Obama supports ICC move against Sudan president – White House

January 5, 2009 (WASHINGTON) — President Barack Obama supports the International Criminal Court in its pursuit of Sudanese state officials, said a White House spokesman speaking with the Washington Times.

U.S. President Barack Obama gestures while delivering his speech after taking the Oath of Office to become the 44th President of the United States, during the inauguration ceremony in Washington, January 20, 2009 (Reuters)
U.S. President Barack Obama gestures while delivering his speech after taking the Oath of Office to become the 44th President of the United States, during the inauguration ceremony in Washington, January 20, 2009 (Reuters)
“It is in our country’s interest that the most heinous of criminals, like the perpetrators of the genocide in Darfur, are held accountable,” said Ben Chang, a spokesman for National Security Advisor James L. Jones, who served as a general in the Marine Corps.

Sudan’s president, Omer Al-Bashir, is indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor on three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of murder. Judges of the court’s Pre-Trial Chamber I are currently reviewing the charges and are expected rule on an arrest warrant soon.

Jones heads the National Security Council, which is part of the Executive Office of the President. His spokesman also told the Washington Times that Obama opposes suspending the ICC indictment, which the UN Security Council has been called on to do allegedly to defray a crisis situation in Sudan that could be brought on by the indictment.

“We support the ICC in its pursuit of those who’ve perpetrated war crimes. We see no reason to support deferral [of the indictment] at this time,” said Chang, the spokesman.

While the Bush administration also opposed deferring the charges against Al-Bashir, it opposed the international court for ideological reasons. However, during his interview, Chang hinted that under Obama, the United States could join the ICC treaty.

Several senior members of the Obama administration are harsh critics of the Sudanese government, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who disclosed during her confirmation hearing before the Senate that various military options are under review by the U.S. Department of Defense.

(ST)

18 Comments

  • Elinana Peter Ezekiel
    Elinana Peter Ezekiel

    Obama supports ICC move against Sudan president – White House
    Well done president Obama for your comment about ICC suport against president Basirh indictment keep up till the goal is Achieved.

    Reply
  • Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
    Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy

    Obama supports ICC move against Sudan president – White House
    What a great son of Africa (Obama) to say this, keep up Obama, if Kenya was hand in hand with SPLA/M during the bush time why not Obama? bashir will now escape his indication when he mange to speak english, i Mean communicate with Obama in english. Now we can have any choice we like, whether go unity or seperation and everyone can say what Pagan Amum was talking about. If you arabs are dreaming of dark day in Sudan, but USA are pursuiting to bring demoracy and peace, and the one who began dark day in Sudan will find his nose under his hips. No way arabs its quite better to give up early other than being chase. Just let dude Kiir and his junglese mongrels take the seat before the oncoming race. But whether unity or seperation with north, i expose that there is hot boundary between Equatoria and those of jungle states. Why and how ask yourself and reason out !!

    Reply
  • Nelson Turdit
    Nelson Turdit

    Obama supports ICC move against Sudan president – White House
    Wow!! Mr. Bashir where are you? you are closed to be swellowed by a big snake than your size [the ICC] with support from powerful nation like USA will not give you any compromise. now you are going to the hell and it will be example to end brutallity regime in Africa.

    Reply
  • Afonso
    Afonso

    Obama supports ICC move against Sudan president – White House
    A million thanks President Obama. Our African leaders will always play delaying tactics to frustrate efforts to get Bashir tried, simply because this will open the road for many more African leaders to pay for the hardship and suffering they have inflicted on their poor defenseless citizens.African leaders will do all they can to stop the ICC from trying Bashir just because they fear many of them will follow Bashir soon to the ICC for their inhumane acts. African countries are finding it hard to fairly try cases in their own countries let alone form a court to try Bashir. A case in question is the ECOWAS court which ruled that President Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia should appear for the disappearance of a local journalist (Chief Manneh) he Yahya refused calling the court unqualified to try him. How about the case of the 54 masacred Africans by the same Yahya Jammeh? Nothing has been done to him by Ecowas instead he and his cohorts are requesting Bashir be tried in Africa may I ask by whom and where??? Not by mercenary judges they would dictate. Look at the Zimbabwe crisis,I bet if the UN allows that Bashir would be free before he is tried. The ICC is the most qualified court as it belongs to the entire world ( I mean many diverse signatories and not our toy AU nonsense. The earlier US and the ICC acts the better. This is the only way civil wars and coups will be wiped out of Africa.

    Reply
  • Geovanny
    Geovanny

    Obama supports ICC move against Sudan president – White House
    Bravo Barack Obama for your backup against ICC indictment to Al Bashir who is still propelling with genocidal activities inside Sudan especially Darfur.Please rescue the people of Darfur. Please do.We are indeed tired of dictatorship.

    Reply
  • lotueng Junub
    lotueng Junub

    Obama supports ICC move against Sudan president – White House
    Well done Barrack Obama, It’s high time for the world to observe and respect the rule of law.

    Al Bashir must be left to face the justice alas!

    Reply
  • Ezekiel Athaya
    Ezekiel Athaya

    Obama supports ICC move against Sudan president – White House
    Wow that is great. Mr.Obama, keep up and you will make the world believe in you. I had different opinnion during your compaign because politicians talk much and do less.Mr Bashir has been great Hitler of Sudan but with your stand I hope his devil acts will end instantly as your voice and decision are very strong and believe worldwide according to your position as American President. With no hesitation, let Bashir face the book and he should also pay dues to sweating team like Luoise Mureno and his members.
    Thanks one again Obama and correct the world history by bringing every politician to the right side and send the adamant ones like Sudan President Omar Al-Bashir to hell.

    Reply
  • wani mathias
    wani mathias

    Obama supports ICC move against Sudan president – White House
    My God! Hail Hague a place for all heinous criminal offenders. Another learned friend has added his legal voice in support of Ocampo on Bashir. To Bashir this is yet a bad message as the learned friend from Harvard School of Law is also the President of a strong nation that pursued Sadam into his fox hole and to the last of his breath. Leave the lions to roar and devour their curcus as hyenas giggles.
    This latest support on Ocampo by the president is in line with consequences of Collin Powel’s endorsement of the same last year. Expect more pronounciations on this issue from other world leaders and much desperation for Bashir.
    Let justice be seen done. Keep it up as history have you as one of the leaders who support justice for all irrespective of one’s status.

    Reply
  • yahia albahi
    yahia albahi

    Obama supports ICC move against Sudan president – White House
    JUBA, Sudan, Feb 12 (Reuters) – Members of South Sudan’s army have carried out killings, torture and arbitrary arrests, activists said on Thursday, in a rare critique of government forces in the region.

    New York-based Human Rights Watch said southern soldiers had been allowed to operate in an “environment of impunity” and called on the authorities do more to protect civilians./
    I hope Obama will do something to stop the crimes in SPLM land also !! It is the douple standard again fellows!! Long live PRESIDENT ALBASHIER. DOWN USA>

    Reply
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