MaximsNewsNetwork: 20 January 2010 - UNMIS: Sudan - As Sudan marked the fifth anniversary of a peace agreement signed in 2005 ending more than 20 years of war, the head of state Omar Al Bashir said he would support self-determination for south Sudan if they chose separation in a referendum scheduled to take place in January 2011.
Speaking to thousands who attended the celebrations in the southern town of Yambio, where he was accompanied by the countrys First Vice President Salva Kiir and President of South Sudan - President Bashir said that although he hoped the country would remain united, he would make sure that the government in Khartoum would be the first to recognize a new-born state if the decision was that of separation.
SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Omar Al Bashir, President of Sudan:
God forbid if the decision by our brothers in the south Sudan is for separation. Be assured that we the NCP (National Congress Party) who signed this agreement, will be the first people to be committed to welcoming the decisions of the sons of the South Sudan to establish their own state.
These remarks which come at a time when the country is preparing for its first democratic elections in more than two decades are Bashirs closest acceptance of self-determination for the South.
The elections are expected in April and a referendum nine months later.
Residents of the oil-rich south are expected to vote in the referendum which comes at the end of a six-year interim period where the south has been semi-autonomous as stipulated in a comprehensive peace agreement signed in 2005.
First Vice President Salva Kiir said it was a moral obligation for the residents of the country to cement values that bound the country together.
SOUNDBITE (English) Salva Kiir, First-Vice President and President of Southern Sudan: "We share many things in common as Sudanese and these are the things that will hold us together whatever the outcome of the referendum. Over the years and despite the grievances and agony of the civil wars, our people have developed and cultivated strong social relations between the South and the North."
United Nations Secretary General Representative to Sudan Ashraf Qazi who attended the event, encouraged the parties not to lose sight of the considerable progress that has been made since the signing of the CPA with the daunting challenges expected.
SOUNDBITE (English) Ashraf Qazi - Special Representative of the Secretary General, UNMIS:"
Although, progress and resolving specific issues and differences has at times been slow and difficult giving rise to tensions and concerns about the potential for escalation and conflict, the political will and the capacity to compromise has sustained the peace."
More that two million were killed in Sudan during the war and four million others displaced. ................................................................................................................ ( UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN SUDAN: UNMIS ) ................................................................................................................ MaximsNewsNetwork:
News Network for the United Nations and the International Community.
See: http://www.MaximsNews.com.
"GIVING POWER & RESONANCE TO THE VOICE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY" ......................................................................................................................................................................
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