UN Chief Advised To "Distance Himself" From Bashir

UN officials and diplomats have advised UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to “distance himslef” from Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who faces genocide charges. Sources say Ban was advised to keep the distance due to a possibility that the International Criminal Court (ICC) could actually issue a warrant of arrest to have Bashir apprehended for genocide in Darfur, and any cordialness with him would politically appear to undermine the ICC. Bashir has meanwhile declared that he will ignore any ICC arrest warrant. [PE]