President Kiir: South Sudan calls for ‘serious’ talks with north
4 min read(AFP) – 6 hours ago
UNITED NATIONS — The newly independent nation of South Sudan wants “serious negotiations” with Sudan to fully normalize relations, President Salva Kiir said at the United Nations on Friday.
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| South Sudan President Salva Kiir speaks during the United Nations General Assembly (AFP, Stan Honda) |
“South Sudan wishes to declare that it is willing and ready to continue serious negotiations with Khartoum,” Kiir said in his presentation to the UN General Assembly.
“There are a number of outstanding issues,” Kiir said. “We hope to expeditiously resolve them so as to ensure complete normalization of relations between the two states.”
South Sudan formally proclaimed independence from the north on July 9, after decades of civil war that left the resource-rich country in ruins.
Outstanding border disputes risk prolonging the conflict between North and South Sudan, including in the embattled areas of Abyei, South Kordofan and the Blue Nile.
“We therefore urge the government of the Republic of Sudan to consent to the speedy demarcation of the border between the two states with the help of the international community,” Kiir said.
In debut at UN debate, South Sudan calls for sustained global support
President Salva Kiir of South Sudan
23 September 2011 –
“In most post-conflict situations, nations would normally expect to rebuild. This is not the case for us. Even before the ravages of war could set in, our country never had anything worth rebuilding. Hence we characterize our post-conflict mission as one of construction rather than reconstruction.”
Mr. Kiir said he hoped that the overwhelming support that greeted South Sudan’s independence in July will now “translate into tangible development assistance” for the country.
“Our march out of the abyss of poverty and deprivation into the realm of progress and prosperity is going to be a long one.”
He noted that while the country has abundant oil, minerals and other natural resources, so far “we hardly produce anything for ourselves.”
South Sudan must diversify its economy so that it is not overly dependent on oil, he added.
“The ambition of the people of South Sudan is to be able to transform their country into a regional agro-industrial powerhouse… the attainment of this goal will indeed remain a tall order. Much as we need external assistance, it is our passionate wish that it will be offered on terms that will also respect our political and economic choices.”
Security remains a key factor in ensuring South Sudan can develop, Mr. Kiir said, emphasizing that his country was committed to peace both within its borders and with its neighbours.
He called for a speedy resolution of the outstanding border demarcation issues with Sudan, and for serious negotiations between the two countries over economic issues, particularly arrangements over oil.
South Sudan, General Debate, 66th Session
23 September 2011
http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/2011/09/south-sudan-general-debate-66th-session.html
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