Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


'Commitment' of Both Parties Seen as Key to CPA Disagreements

   Peter Clottey 20 December 2010
   Southern  Sudanese sit in a registration center of Al-jref Garb in the
   capital Khartoum, 25 Nov 2010

Photo: AP

   Southern  Sudanese sit in a registration center of Al-jref Garb in the
   capital Khartoum, 25 Nov 2010

   A  leading  member  of Sudanâs governing National Congress Party (NCP)
   told  VOA  âcommitmentâ  from his party, as well as the Sudan Peopleâs
   Liberation  Movement  (SPLM),  is the key to resolving all outstanding
   issues involving the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

   Rabie  Abdelati  Obeid said leaders from neighboring countries will be
   unable to help resolve the CPAâs outstanding issues without the shared
   commitment from both âpartnersâ to ensure its full implementation.

   âThe  referendum  should be conducted on a concrete base so that, when
   the  result  of  the referendum comes, it will have (an) effect on the
   ground,â said Obeid.

   âIf  the result of this referendum comes as the south secedes from the
   north  and  a  lot  of  problems  and points are not settled, like the
   demarcation  of  borders,  the  distribution  of  petrol revenues, and
   citizenship,  then  what  will  be the meaning of the referendum (and)
   what will be the meaning of secession?â

Obeid

   Dr.  Rabie  Abdelati  Obeid  is a prominent member of Sudan's dominant
   National Congress Party (NCP)

   Libyan  leader  Muammar  Gaddafi,  Egyptian  President  Hosni Mubarak,
   Sudanese  leader  Omar  Hassan al-Bashir, as well as southern Sudanese
   leader Salva Kiir, are expected to meet Tuesday in Khartoum to resolve
   âtensions  and  controversiesâ  surrounding the full implementation of
   the CPA.

   The meeting comes ahead of the 9^th January referendum on independence
   for southern Sudan that could potentially split the nation in two.
   Both  Egypt  and  Libya, which border Sudan, would want to prevent any
   mass  migration  if  war breaks out as a result of independence.  The
   U.N. Refugee Agency estimates that more than a million people could be
   displaced.
   On  Sunday,  U.S.  President  Barack  Obama  sent  letters to regional
   leaders  in  Africa  urging  them  to  support a peaceful independence
   referendum.
   Obeid  said  the credibility of the outcome of next monthâs referendum
   could be in doubt if the outstanding issues are not addressed ahead of
   the vote.

   â(If)  the two partners fail to solve all these issues, or the pending
   points,  and  the  referendum  is  conducted and the results declared,
   (and)  secession is the result of the referendum, then I think that it
   will be a point of starting a new conflict,â said Obeid.

.