NetworkNewsToday: SOUTHERN SUDAN PRESIDENT SALVA KIIR on ELECTION REFERENDUM BILL (UNMIS)

NetworkNewsToday: 23 December 2009 - UNMIS: Southern Sudan - President of Southern Sudan Salva Kiir said today that it was, inconceivable that the National Assembly passed the referendum bill on without the participation of the members of parliament from the south. The bill gives rights to all southern Sudanese living in the north to vote during the referendum process.

SOUNDBITE (English) Salva Kiir, President, Government of Southern Sudan:
It is inconceivable that the National Assembly can pass a bill in respect of Southern Sudan Referendum Law in the absence of Southern Sudanese themselves and without honoring the political agreement of the two parties. This is risky and exposes our country to grater political danger for not honoring agreement.

He added that what happened at the National Assembly in Khartoum is a clear defiance of the joint commitment to implement the most critical aspects of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. He added that the government of Southern Sudan will not accept the bill the way it has been passed.

SOUNDBITE (English) Salva Kiir, President, Government of Southern Sudan:
We should not allow the spoilers of CPA to provoke us again and derail us from our focus on ensuring peace and stability in our country.

He made the statement in response to the Sudan's National Assembly passing a long-awaited bill endorsing the Southern Sudan Referendum bill in the absence of Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) and Southern Sudanese members of parliament on Tuesday.

The new amendments give rights to all southern Sudanese living in the north to vote during the referendum process.

According to the bill, 60 percent of the southern Sudanese electorate will have to turn out to make the referendum legitimate. South Sudan will split away from the north if more than half of voters choose independence.

Kiir called on the leadership on the National Congress Party and the President of the Republic Omar El Bashir to not allow such irresponsible conduct in the National Assembly to push southerners to square one.

Meanwhile he called on all the people of Southern Sudan and all members of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLAM) to remain calm but to be on alert. ................................................................................­................................................................................­............................................................. ( UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN SUDAN: UNMIS ) ................................................................................­................................................................................­................................................................................­................................................................................­................................................................................­................................................................................­......................... NetworkNewsToday:
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