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Sudan Asks Obama to 'Listen'


A Sudanese official is calling on U.S. President Barack Obama to hear the country's stance on Darfur and other issues.

Mustafa Osman Ismail, a Sudanese presidential adviser, says the Obama administration needs to "listen" to Sudan and other voices in the Islamic world if it wants to improve the United States' image abroad.

Former President George Bush labeled the situation in Darfur a genocide, a charge the Sudanese government rejects.

In his comments, carried by Sudanese media Thursday, Ismail also said Sudan's ruling party is ready for what he termed "plots or challenges" if the International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir.

ICC prosecutors requested the warrant, saying Mr. Bashir is responsible for a campaign of rape, murder, and deportation in Darfur.

Sudan has refused to deal with the court but is campaigning for the ICC to at least delay its move, saying it would hurt Darfur peace efforts.

The United Nations says more than 200,000 people have died in the six-year conflict between Darfur rebel groups and the Sudanese government. Sudan puts the death toll much lower, at 10,000.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.

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