Austria expresses concern over Darfur, calls for peaceful referendum in South

July 14, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger met today with his Sudanese counterpart Ali Karti and discussed with him the situation in Darfur and the South ahead of the 2011 referendum which could lead to the creation of a new state.

“The stability of Sudan is vital for the whole region. A new civil war which would bring big grief about the population again must be avoided absolutely” Spindelegger said after his talks with Karti in Vienna.

The Austrian foreign ministry said in a statement posted on its website that both men discussed bilateral ties and the conduct of the upcoming referendum.

“We hope that the peaceful conduct of elections of the National Assembly in April reflects well on the independence referendum next January. However the referendum proceeds in southern Sudan , it is vital that the will of the people will then actually implemented,” Spindelegger said.

The referendum was promised under a 2005 peace accord that ended decades of civil war between north and south, a conflict that killed an estimated 2 million people.

Northern and southern leaders have still not reached agreement on issues including the position of their shared border and, if there is a split, how they will parcel out the country’s huge debts and oil revenues as well as issues of nationality and water agreements.

This week, a coalition of 24 aid and human rights groups warned that unless these issues are resolved the North and the South could end up in a new war.

Spindelegger said that Austria is prepared to support Sudan in this “difficult period” adding that his country will send observers as part of an European Union (EU) mission during the referendum noting that they consist of legal experts should the need arise in the event of a secession of southern Sudan.

Sudan official news agency (SUNA) said that Karti briefed Spindelegger on referendum preparations and the progress of Darfur talks currently underway in Doha. He also extended an invitation to his Austrian counterpart to visit Sudan.

The Austrian top diplomat also expressed his country’s concern over the recent upsurge in fighting between Sudanese army and Darfur rebels and its impact on civilians.

“The protection of civilians and respect for human rights for Austria is a tradition particularly being a current member of the Security Council,” Spindelegger said,

“It is the responsibility of the Sudanese government to protect its population against attack . Here, the government must also work with international partners, such as the African Union and the United Nations to be ready” he added.

The fighting between Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), the most powerful group in the region, and the Sudanese army has become more frequent since the rebels suspended their participation in the talks last May saying the government violated the framework agreement they signed together in Doha.

This week fresh clashes were reported in North Darfur between JEM and Sudanese government forces.

Observers fear that violence in Darfur could spiral out of control following Monday’s decision by the judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to add genocide to the charges against the Sudanese president, who is already wanted since March 2009 for war crimes and crimes against humanity over his role in Darfur’s war.

Commenting on that new warrant, the Austrian official stressed that Sudan has an obligation to cooperate with the ICC even if has not ratified its founding treaty.

“The jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court resulted from a resolution of the UN Security Council and therefore applies to all member states of the United Nations” he said.

Sudan rejects the jurisdiction of the ICC, the world’s only independent, permanent court with authority to try genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, and has refused to hand over two key suspects also wanted for crimes in Darfur.

(ST)