As UN Spins Statements on Sudan Separatism, Ban's Stance on Sri Lanka Recalled

UNITED NATIONS, February 2 -- Following a protest of the UN in Juba, South Sudan which included calls for "Ban Ki-moon [to] repent before judgment," the UN belated rushed to argue that Mr. Ban was misquoted by AFP about disfavoring a vote for self-determination by the South Sudanese.

Ban's Associate Spokesman Farhan Haq came in late for Tuesday noon briefing at the UN in New York, read a statement then began to leave the podium without taking any questions. Inner City Press called out, will you take questions later? When he did, later, the UN did not transcribe it.

But Inner City Press asked Haq both what the UN says Ban told AFP, and how Ban's statement about making unity attractive does not indicate a preference. Haq argued that this language is from the CPA. He said he would later provide Ban's actually words to those interested. Video here, from Minute 1:50.

When Inner City Press went to Haq's office before six p.m. on Tuesday, it was closed. The Deputy Spokesperson handed Inner City Press a print out in which AFP had dutifully modified the quote. This was taken at face value.

But also in Haq's begrudging Q &A period, when Inner City Press asked about UN vehicles stolen in Darfur, Haq answered that this would not undermine the UN's "relationship" with "military leaders of Sudan." Video here, from Minute 3:33.

Ban Ki-moon, whether due to personal beliefs or by letting others in his administration take the lead, has elsewhere come down firmly on the side of central governments over minorities seeking autonomy.



Protest of UN and Ban in South Sudan, Tribune


During the Sri Lankan bloodbath on the beach of 2009, for example, he and his closest advisors were seen as doing little to stop the Rajapaksa regime in Colombo from bombing civilians in norther Sri Lanka, to crush "separatism."

This is not irrelevant from consideration of Ban Ki-moon's statements and attitudes about Sudan. You can make AFP run a correction, then dodge and not transcribe questions, but the issue remains and will be pursued. Watch this site.

Source:innercitypress.com/

Algerian artists for the 54th celebrations of Sudan's independence

Algiers- On Algeria's initiative and under the high patronage of Presidents Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Omar Hassan El Bashir, a host of Algerian artists will take part in the festivities celebrating the 54th anniversary of the independence of Sudan on 1st January 2010, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday.

"This gesture, expression of the traditions of friendship and brotherhood binding the two peoples," the same source underscored, will be conveyed through two major artistic evening performances in Khartoum and Umm Durman on 31st December 2009 and 1st January 2010. Both shows, scheduled to feature famous Algerian artists and the Algerian National Ballet, will take place at Khartoum’s Friendship Hall and Umm Durman’s National Theatre.

Source:

Sudan:Communique of the 213th Meeting of the Peace and Security Council

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 213rd meeting held on 22 December 2009, considered the Report of the Mission undertaken by the Council to the Sudan, from 23rd to 25th November 2009, and adopted the following decision:

Council:

1. Takes note of the Report [PSC/PR/CCXIII] on the PSC field mission which visited the Sudan from 23rd to 25th November 2009;

2. Stresses the need to re?energize the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and to accelerate the process of post?conflict reconstruction and socio?economic development in South Sudan. In this respect, Council further stresses the importance of the AU Ministerial Committee on Post?Conflict Reconstruction of the Sudan and encourages the Committee to intensify its efforts;

3. Emphasizes the need, given the challenges related to the general elections in April 2010 and the referendum in early 2011, for the AU to accelerate the implementation of the recommendations of the African Union High Level Panel on Darfur (AUPD) in line with the
decision adopted by Council at its 207th meeting held at the level of Heads of State and Government in Abuja, Nigeria, on 29 October 2009;

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4. Expresses concern at the continuing lack of confidence between the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) regarding the implementation of the CPA, which affects preparations for the referendum scheduled for early 2011. In this regard, stresses the need for the AU, and IGAD, with the support of the international community, to assist in renewing confidence between the two parties;

5. Notes the challenges faced by the Sudan in both the implementation of the CPA and the upcoming elections in April 2010, as well as the preparations for the referendum. In this respect, Council decides to establish an Ad Hoc Committee on Sudan to assist in addressing the challenges. Council further agrees to undertake field missions to Sudan in support of the peace processes in that country;

6. Requests the Chairperson of the Commission to submit to it regular reports on the evolution of the situation in Sudan;

7. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

Source:allafrica.com/