US bolsters security in Sudan
2008-07-14 21:14
Washington - The US said on Monday it is bolstering its security in Sudan after conceding that international efforts to arrest Sudan's President Omar al-Beshir could spark a violent backlash.
State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack told reporters that not only has the US taken "appropriate" security steps, but has reminded Beshir's government of its international duties to ensure the safety of Americans and others.
"It certainly is a possibility," McCormack said when asked about the risk of violence against UN and AU peacekeeping troops amid moves at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to arrest Beshir.
"We ourselves have taken what we believe are appropriate security measures for our people in Juba as well as in Khartoum," McCormack said.
He mentioned "public statements coming from the government of Khartoum that I'm sure give worry to some parties operating in Sudan.
"And it is a reminder that we need to reiterate, as I said on Friday, that violence serves no party's purpose and that we would urge restraint on all sides and not turn to violence as a means of coercion," he said.
Crimes against humanity
"Our charge (d'affaires) on the ground, working with his team, has taken a look at what are the appropriate steps to take as well as contacting the Sudanese government to ensure that there are appropriate security measures in place," he said.
"The Sudanese government has certain responsibilities with respect to the Vienna Convention that all signatories of the treaty" have, the State Department spokesperson said.
McCormack declined to elaborate on US security measures or to confirm how many US staff members were in Sudan.
ICC prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo called on Monday for Beshir's arrest for alleged genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Sudan's strife-torn region of Darfur.
Sudan immediately rejected the call as damaging to Darfur peace hopes.
In New York, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said he expects Sudan to guarantee the safety of UN peacekeepers. In Addis Ababa, the AU voiced concern that the prosecutor's request could undermine peace efforts in the country.
The UN and AU have deployed thousands of peacekeepers in the Darfur region.
McCormack also echoed White House statements that Washington would review the ICC arrest warrant request.