ICC prosecutor ‘made a fool of himself’ Sudan says
December 5, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government said that the briefing made by the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo exposed the latter as someone who “tailors” laws to use against its officials.
Kamal Obeid the state minister for information told the government sponsored Sudanese media Center (SMC) website that Ocampo’s report made him a “mockery” in the eyes of international law and a “laughing stock” on his lack of knowledge of the basics and mechanisms of international justice.
He accused the ICC prosecutor of seeking to sabotage the April 2010 elections and the Doha talks between Khartoum and Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).
Ocampo submitted his semi-annual briefing to the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Friday hailing state cooperation in isolating Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir wanted by the court for his alleged role in Darfur war crimes.
He expressed confidence that Bashir will eventually face justice adding that his status as president does not grant him immunity.
The ICC official asked for the UNSC support to ensure that the attention remains on the need to arrest the indicted suspects and to end crimes in Darfur.
The ICC prosecutor also revealed that his office is analyzing whether or not other Sudanese officials could be tried if they are deemed to be denying and covering up the crimes allegedly committed by Khartoum in Darfur.
Most countries on the UNSC including US, UK, France, Croatia, Austria, Japan and Mexico called on Sudan to cooperate with the ICC and adhere to resolution 1593.
However, Russia, China and Burkina Faso urged a balance of peace and justice pursuit so as not to derail post-conflict healing process.
The Libyan delegation lashed out at the ICC and UNSC accusing the latter of hypocrisy on actions taken with regard to Goldstone report on Israeli attack on Gaza strip and reluctance by council members for forcing the Jewish state to investigate the alleged war crimes.
Obeid said that Sudan will continue a diplomatic campaign to counter the “false allegations” by the ICC prosecutor in all the world’s capitals.
(ST)