Russian, British envoys discuss Darfur

March 13, 2009 (MOSCOW) – Russian envoy for Sudan and the British secretary of state for Africa discussed yesterday the political situation in the Sudan after the ICC arrest warrant against the President Omer Al-Bashir.

Following the meeting with the British Mark Malloch-Brown on Thursday, Mikhail Margelov told reporters that the situation in Sudan is deteriorating. He also pointed out that the abduction of three MSF workers in Darfur should be perceived as result of this situation.

Margelov, who visited Darfur last January, recalled that Sudan decided to expel 13 humanitarian organizations and the security of foreigners in the country “is in danger”.

The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the Sudanese president on Wednesday March 4. The same day the Sudanese government expelled 13 NGOs. The government accused these organizations for working for the ICC.

The Russian envoy asserted they had agreed that aid workers should not be punished for the ICC decision, which someone may consider dubious and untimely,” Margelov said.

He said the meeting with Malloch-Brown was “fruitful” also because he could not attend informal consultations on Sudan in London this week .

During his visit to Khartoum in January, Margelov said his government is proposing an international conference on Darfur to be held in Moscow later this year. He further said that his country is “actively engaged on Sudan issues and wants to play an active role in UN Security Council (UNSC), Africa and in world affairs”

(ST)