Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MOSCOW544
2009-03-05 14:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:
RUSSIA SYMPATHIZES WITH PROPOSED MORATORIUM ON
how-toVZCZCXRO0738 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDBU RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHPOD RUEHRN RUEHROV RUEHTRO RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHMO #0544 0641405 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 051405Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2253 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS MOSCOW 000544
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC SU RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA SYMPATHIZES WITH PROPOSED MORATORIUM ON
PROSECUTION OF SUDANESE PRESIDENT
UNCLAS MOSCOW 000544
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC SU RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA SYMPATHIZES WITH PROPOSED MORATORIUM ON
PROSECUTION OF SUDANESE PRESIDENT
1. The Russian government has criticized the ICC's issuance
of an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Bashir, which the
GOR contends could negatively impact the chances for reaching
a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Darfur. According
to a MFA statement, Russia "understands" the position of the
African Union, Arab League, Organization of the Islamic
Conference, and the Non-Aligned Movement, which have called
for the UNSC to suspend prosecution of the Sudanese President
for one year under Article 16 of the Rome Statute. The GOR
has not indicated whether this means it will actually support
a potential UNSCR to defer prosecution. Russia also called
upon the Sudanese leadership to continue the search for a
negotiated solution to the problem of Darfur, in
collaboration with the UN, African Union and other mediators.
2. Mikhail Margelov, the Russian President's recently
appointed Special Representative for Sudan and Chairman of
the Federation Council's International Affairs Committee,
criticized the ICC for selectively issuing an arrest warrant
for Bashir. Margelov told Interfax that the ICC action
threatened dire consequences for Sudan and the prosecution
should be deferred. Stating that all those guilty of crimes
in Sudan should be held accountable, regardless of their
position, Margelov declared that by charging only Bashir with
crimes against humanity, the ICC had created skepticism of
its impartiality. In a commentary written for the daily
newspaper Kommersant, Margelov criticized the ICC for
intending to arrest the "leader of only one belligerent
party" when the rebels fighting the Sudanese government were
guilty of robbery, rape, torture and abduction. Instead of
pursuing Bashir's arrest and prosecution, Margelov called
upon the international community to support the agreement
signed February 18 by the Sudanese government and the rebel
group the Movement for Justice and Equality, which offered a
step toward a comprehensive peace settlement.
3. Interfax reported that a source within the MFA warned that
the ICC arrest warrant "could destabilize" the situation in
Sudan. Speaking with Echo Moskvy radio via telephone from
Khartoum, a representative of the Russian Embassy said the
ICC decision was a "mistake." He stressed that Russian
citizens living in Sudan should not fear for their safety in
the event of public protests against the ICC decision because
Russia enjoyed "good relations" with the country.
BEYRLE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC SU RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA SYMPATHIZES WITH PROPOSED MORATORIUM ON
PROSECUTION OF SUDANESE PRESIDENT
1. The Russian government has criticized the ICC's issuance
of an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Bashir, which the
GOR contends could negatively impact the chances for reaching
a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Darfur. According
to a MFA statement, Russia "understands" the position of the
African Union, Arab League, Organization of the Islamic
Conference, and the Non-Aligned Movement, which have called
for the UNSC to suspend prosecution of the Sudanese President
for one year under Article 16 of the Rome Statute. The GOR
has not indicated whether this means it will actually support
a potential UNSCR to defer prosecution. Russia also called
upon the Sudanese leadership to continue the search for a
negotiated solution to the problem of Darfur, in
collaboration with the UN, African Union and other mediators.
2. Mikhail Margelov, the Russian President's recently
appointed Special Representative for Sudan and Chairman of
the Federation Council's International Affairs Committee,
criticized the ICC for selectively issuing an arrest warrant
for Bashir. Margelov told Interfax that the ICC action
threatened dire consequences for Sudan and the prosecution
should be deferred. Stating that all those guilty of crimes
in Sudan should be held accountable, regardless of their
position, Margelov declared that by charging only Bashir with
crimes against humanity, the ICC had created skepticism of
its impartiality. In a commentary written for the daily
newspaper Kommersant, Margelov criticized the ICC for
intending to arrest the "leader of only one belligerent
party" when the rebels fighting the Sudanese government were
guilty of robbery, rape, torture and abduction. Instead of
pursuing Bashir's arrest and prosecution, Margelov called
upon the international community to support the agreement
signed February 18 by the Sudanese government and the rebel
group the Movement for Justice and Equality, which offered a
step toward a comprehensive peace settlement.
3. Interfax reported that a source within the MFA warned that
the ICC arrest warrant "could destabilize" the situation in
Sudan. Speaking with Echo Moskvy radio via telephone from
Khartoum, a representative of the Russian Embassy said the
ICC decision was a "mistake." He stressed that Russian
citizens living in Sudan should not fear for their safety in
the event of public protests against the ICC decision because
Russia enjoyed "good relations" with the country.
BEYRLE