Sudan peace negotiators in “understanding” on sharing of special resources

By Sudanese TV

KHARTOUM, Dec 20, 2003 — Bilateral talks between [Sudan’s] First Vice-President Ali Uthman Muhammad Taha and the leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement [SPLM], Dr John Garang, are still continuing at the peace talks venue, Naivasha [central Kenya], on the issue of wealth sharing.

For more details on this here is a member of the [government] delegation, Dr Amin Hasan Umar, on phone. Dr Amin according to what had been reported, the outstanding issues between the two sides regarding the wealth issue, particularly the oil revenue, have been concluded, I hope we can elaborate on this issue [sentence as received].

[Dr Amin]: This is not very clear. Maybe that [report] has come out owing to an understanding reached by both sides on the allocation of special resources in southern Sudan. This is with the help of repeated initiatives from the government side to reduce the difference in positions between the two sides.

There are still negotiations on [word indistinct] and rules governing it in the areas of wealth in general. It is expected that SPLM will show the necessary flexibility so that we are able to complete the formulation of the document on wealth totally.

[Newscaster]: Therefore, in your opinion when will the talks on the remaining issues end?

[Dr Amin]: Well, it is difficult to say as this will depend on the willingness of the two sides, but there is great hope for realizing this before the end of the week. Currently, there are some negotiaions going on regarding other issues at committee level, such as power-sharing, the three [disputed] regions and the committee is expected to come up with recommendations for the leaders’ meeting tomorrow and the day after, until this issue is completely resolved.

BBC Monitoring Newsfile