Bashir in Eritrea, defying warrant

KHARTOUM, Sudan Sudan's president traveled to Eritrea on Monday, choosing one of Africa's most politically isolated nations for his first trip abroad since an international court sought his arrest on charges of war crimes in the Darfur region. The one-day visit followed Eritrea's official invitation to Sudan's Lt. Gen. Omar Bashir, who faces the arrest warrant by the Netherlands-based International Criminal Court (ICC). Eritrean television showed live coverage of Gen. Bashir being greeted at the airport in the capital, Asmara, by his counterpart, President Isaias Afwerki, along with drummers and dancers. Sudanese state television later Monday showed live images of Gen. Bashir returning to Khartoum. Sudanese Foreign Minister Deng Alor said the visit was "important" and reflected Eritrean "solidarity ... with Sudan against the ICC." Eritrean Information Minister Ali Abdu told the Associated Press that Gen. Bashir was accompanied by heads of security and intelligence and was there to discuss regional security. The ICC charged Gen. Bashir on March 4 of leading a counterinsurgency against Darfur rebels that involved rapes, killings and other atrocities against civilians. His government has been accused of unleashing Arab militiamen known as janjaweed against Darfur civilians in a drive to put down a revolt by ethnic Africans in the region. Up to 300,000 people have died and 2.7 million driven from their homes in the conflict since 2003, according to the United Nations. ..more..http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/24/bashir-in-eritrea-defying-warrant/