Southern delegation stresses need for one central bank, one currency

BBC Monitoring Middle East

By Sudanese radio

KHARTOUM, Nov. 06, 2003 — Deputy Speaker Angelo Beda has held a meeting in his office today with a Southern States Coordination Council’s delegation which participated in the recent peace talks in Naivasha [Kenya].

The delegation briefed Beda on the progress made in the peace process, views and recommendations presented by the council to the two negotiating parties [government and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement].

The meeting also addressed the topics which were discussed during the talks, particularly the fate of the three areas, power and wealth sharing and the issue of a central bank.

The delegation reiterated the need for one central bank and one currency during the interim period. They also recommended the importance of the participation of the three areas in political decision-making and the continuation of federal system in the 26 states.

Angelo Beda stressed that the 10 states of the south remain under the control of southern [Sudan] under the leadership of Staff Lt- Gen Umar al-Bashir, as well as the continuation of south-south dialogue and unifying of ranks.