ICC prosecutor not barred entry says Egyptian FM
January 22, 2009 (CAIRO) — The Egyptian government today denied reports that it barred the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Luis Moreno-Ocampo entry to its territory.
Yesterday the deputy Sudanese ambassador to Cairo Idriss Suleiman told reporters that Egypt refused to grant Ocampo a visa after pressure from the parliament and civil organizations.
“Egypt is a state of institutions and therefore they decided not to allow such a visit” Suleiman said.
But the Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Abu Al-Gheit said countered Suleiman statements saying that no such move was made by his government.
“Ocampo did not ask to visit Egypt but if he did will look at it with a great deal of sensitivity so that no harm can reach our brothers in Sudan” Al-Gheit said.
The ICC prosecutor has made a number of visits to Egypt in the past where he met with Abu Al-Gheit as well as Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa.
Sources at the ICC told Sudan Tribune that Ocampo was invited by the Arab League to attend a conference on but he turned it down citing upcoming trial of Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga which starts next Monday.
Egypt had criticized the move by the ICC prosecutor last July requesting an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir on charges of murder, war crimes and genocide. The Judges are expected to make a ruling shortly.
(ST)
Lawrence Malish
ICC prosecutor not barred entry says Egyptian FM
In my culture there is say: a cock can crow in the neighbours family. What assambador who dares to make such statement in a state that is hosting him and sovereign enough for its national interests. Mr. ambassador it will be right when Egyptian gov’t will accuse you and your country in interfering in its foreign policies which to any rational being are more realistic to be pursuit than your fake of Sudan of Khartoum not Sudan of Juba the national capital of south sudan.
Tell Bashir his numbered days are at the finish. After the prosecution of the congplese man Bashier will receive his warrant of arrest.