Bush to see how Beshir arrest warrant 'plays out'

AFP, July, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President George W. Bush said Tuesday he wanted to see how an international prosecutor's arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir "plays out," but that Khartoum could face more sanctions.

Bush said since the United States is not a party to the International Criminal Court, which issued the arrest warrant on war crimes charges this week, Washington would "see how that plays out," he told a news conference.

"My thought on Sudan is that the United Nations needs to work with this current government to get those troops in to help save lives," he said.

Bush highlighted the need to ensure the north-south agreement on oil sharing "stays intact," and said that violence in Darfur was also a key concern.

"The other aspect obviously is Darfur. It's a very, very complex issue. ...