Mbeki calls Southern Sudan election a 'decisive moment'

By Isma'il Kushkush, For CNN

January 6, 2011 -- Updated 1131 GMT (1931 HKT)

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Mbeki heads the African Union High Level Implementation Panel on Sudan
• Residents of Southern Sudan will vote to create a new nation, or remain with the north
• The vote will begin January 9

Khartoum, Sudan (CNN) -- Former South African President Thabo Mbeki Wednesday predicted a peaceful outcome if residents of Southern Sudan vote for independence in the election beginning Sunday.

Speaking in front of politicians, diplomats, academics and students at Khartoum's Friendship Hall, Mbeki played down fears that the possible secession of Southern Sudan would lead to an outbreak of violence.

"If the people of South Sudan vote for separation, there will be no war since the peace brought about by the (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) will be sustained," said Mbeki, who is currently serving as the chairman of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel on Sudan.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in January, 2005, and ended decades of war between north and south Sudan.

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Tracking developments in Sudan

Sudan FM: Sudan will accept referendum

Southern Sudan capable of independence?

The referendum, which begins January 9, will decide the question of whether the south will become independent, or remain part of a united Sudan.

"We are equally happy to inform this important gathering that both the government of Sudan and the SPLM (Sudan's Peoples Liberation Movement) have made the solemn and vitally important commitment that should the people of South Sudan vote for secession, they will work to ensure the emergence of peaceful coexistence of two viable states," Mbeki said.

"It also means that the two governments will take the necessary measures to ensure that southerner residents in the north and northerners in the south are not adversely affected by the separation," he explained. "This means that nobody will be rendered stateless."

The former South African president also said that unresolved issues between the north and south -- such as the futures of the district of Abyei, the regions of Blue Nile state and South Kordofan state, as well as the demarcation of the North-South border -- would be addressed.

All three regions will hold "popular consultations" on whether to remain as part of the north or join the south, Mbeki said.

Turning to Darfur, Mbeki said that the outcome of the current peace negotiations in Doha, Qatar, between the Sudanese government and Darfur rebel groups will "be submitted to an inclusive process which will take place in Darfur to give the people in this region the opportunity to help to determine their future."

Those talks "will address all the necessary issues such as power and wealth sharing, compensation and development, justice and reconciliation and the place of Darfur within the larger Sudanese polity," Mbeki said.

The war in Darfur, which has been described by the U.S. Congress as "genocide," has led to the death of more than 300,000 people due to violence, malnutrition and disease. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is the subject of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court on allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

Reflecting on the significance of current events in Sudan, Mbeki described it as "a decisive moment for Sudan in the context of its role and place in Africa."

"As it makes its new start, Sudan has the possibility to convey important lessons to the rest of our continent... about how to construct successful societies and states based on true respect for the rich diversity characteristic of many African countries."

Report urges transparency over Sudan oil revenues

By the CNN Wire Staff

January 6, 2011 -- Updated 1133 GMT (1933 HKT)

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Southern Sudan will start voting Sunday on whether to become an independent country
• At stake in the vote are Sudan's massive oil reserves, found mostly in the south
• The oil reserves are still controlled by the government in the north

(CNN) -- A report released Thursday calls for more transparency over Sudan oil revenues to avoid conflict as the nation prepares for a vote that could see it split into two.

"With a referendum on independence for southern Sudan just days away, oil sector transparency is now more important than ever to preserving the fragile peace between north and south," Global Witness said in its report.

Southern Sudan is scheduled to start voting Sunday on whether to become an independent country or remain part of Sudan. At stake in the vote are Sudan's massive oil reserves, found mostly in the south, but still controlled by the government in the north.

U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has called the passage of the referendum "inevitable," but said the north may not warm up to the idea of losing oil revenues in the south.

Oil power mixes in Sudan

Tracking developments in Sudan

Sudan FM: Sudan will accept referendum

Southern Sudan capable of independence?

"What happens to the oil revenues? And if you're in the north and all of a sudden, you think a line's going to be drawn and you're going to lose 80 percent of the oil revenues, you're not a very enthusiastic participant," Clinton said in September.

There has been some mistrust between the two sides over the distribution of oil resources, according to the report.

"With both sides hugely reliant on oil revenues from the south, this issue is paramount going into the referendum," said Rosie Sharpe, a Global Witness campaigner. "Suspicions over the sharing of oil revenues under the current peace deal have greatly added to the mistrust between the two parties -- so the single best way to ensure stability after the referendum is to put a transparent and verifiable new oil deal in place."

The report accuses Sudanese officials and the China National Petroleum Corp. of having discrepancies in oil production figures.

"The explanations provided by the Sudanese government and CNPC, the main oil company in Sudan, for why the company's oil production figures were significantly larger than those published by the government, do not stand up to scrutiny," the report said.

The discrepancies mean it's not clear whether officials are implementing the oil agreement fairly, the report said.

The referendum was part of a 2005 peace agreement that ended two decades of violence between the north and the south. The conflict led to the deaths of 2 million people, many from starvation.

Both sides signed the peace agreement, which ended the civil war and gave the south autonomy. The referendum will determine whether Southern Sudan will become an independent state.

If voters approve a split, Southern Sudan will be one of the poorest countries in the world despite its oil wealth. Nine of 10 people in the region live on less than $1 a day.

The region is the size of Texas, but has only 30 miles of paved roads.

England close on Ashes series victory as Australia wilt

January 6, 2011 -- Updated 0926 GMT (1726 HKT)

England celebrate as James Anderson claims the key wicket of Australian captain Michael Clarke.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• England poised to clinch 3-1 Ashes series win over Australia
• Australia 213 for seven at close of fourth day at SGG, still trailing by 151 runs
• Matt Prior scores 118 as England make 644 in their first innings
• England's Paul Collingwood announces retirement from Test cricket

(CNN) -- England need just three wickets on the last day of the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney to wrap up their first series win in Australia for 24 years.

The home side ended the fourth day on 213 for seven, still needing another 151 runs to avoid a second successive innings defeat after England's win in Melbourne where they retained the Ashes and took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Chris Tremlett dismissed Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson in successive deliveries as England forced an extra half hour of play Thursday, but Steven Smith (24 not out) and Peter Siddle (17 not out) battled to the close.

Tremlett, James Anderson and Tim Bresnan shared six wickets after the farcical run out of Shane Watson for 38 ended his opening partnership with Phil Hughes.

Earlier, England posted their highest score in Australia of 644 to take a massive 366-run lead on first innings.

This England team is progressing all the time. Unfortunately I'm not going to be there but it's up to the younger lads to come through.
--Paul Collingwood

It was the fourth time they have passed 500 in the series with wicketkeeper Matt Prior becoming their third centurion of the record breaking innings as he made 118.

It was the fastest England Ashes century since Ian Botham in 1981 and rubbed salt into the wound for the demoralized home bowling attack.

He found excellent support from Bresnan (35) and Graeme Swann, who was unbeaten on 36 off just 26 balls when England were finally dismissed.

Watson and Hughes shared a promising stand of 46 to give Australia hope they might offer sterner resistance, but the run-out proved a key moment.

The pair hesitated as they went for a second run and Watson was beaten by a throw from Kevin Pietersen.

The outstanding Anderson, getting late reverse swing, claimed the wickets of debutant Usman Khawaja and acting captain Michael Clarke to take his series tally to a leading 23.

Clarke's disappointing run continued when he gave Prior one of four catches to go for 41.

He has made just 193 runs in five Test matches.

Bresnan claimed Hughes and the vital wicket of Australia's leading series scorer Mike Hussey, caught head-high by Pietersen for 12.

Siddle had to see off a hat-trick as Haddin (30) and Johnson departed to Tremlett, and in partnership with Smith, made sure England's 'Barmy Army' supporters would have until Friday to celebrate final victory.

Before the start of play, England's Paul Collingwood announced his retirement from Test cricket.

The 34-year-old, who will continue to play one-day and Twenty20 internationals, has had a disappointing series with the bat, but averages nearly 41 runs in his 68-Test career.

A useful medium pace bowler, he has taken 96 Test wickets, as well as forging a reputation as being one of the best fielders in the world, pulling off a number of memorable catches.

Collingwood captained England to their world Twenty20 victory in the West Indies last year and is expected to play a key role as they attempt to double up in the 50-over World Cup which starts next month in the sub-continent.

South Korea to consider North's motivation before peace talks

From Jiyeon Lee, CNN

January 6, 2011 -- Updated 1056 GMT (1856 HKT)

South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak said that North Korea needs to work toward peace with deeds as well as words.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• S. Korea: "Sincerity from the North is important."
• The North has called for dialogue to mend their frayed relationship
• Tensions are high between the two neighbors

Seoul, South Korea (CNN) -- South Korea said Thursday it will have to consider the North's motivation in calling for unconditional peace talks before agreeing to them.

"We have always emphasized that sincerity from the North is important in inter-Korean talks and relations. Related ministries are currently reviewing the context and motivations behind the recent proposal," foreign ministry spokesman Kim Young-sun said in a regular briefing to press members Thursday.

On Wednesday, the North Korean government issued a statement saying that the only way to mend the frayed relationship between the two neighbors is to open a dialogue.

"We are ready to meet anyone, anytime and anywhere, letting bygones be bygones, if he or she is willing to hand-in-hand with us," the statement said."Dialogue and negotiations cannot be properly conducted nor can they make smooth progress ... when mud-slinging and provocative acts against each other are allowed."

Full coverage of the Koreas conflict

In response, the South Korean foreign ministry said Thursday that the north should follow up its words with action.

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"I'm speaking in terms of principles. Given North Korea's recent provocations, and also the fact that it revealed its uranium enrichment program, going against expectations the international community has for its denuclearization, I'm simply saying that it's necessary to assess Pyongyang's true motivations by looking at specific actions," the spokesman said.

Tensions have been running high between North and South Korea ever since the sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan last March, killing 46 sailors. South Korea and the international community blamed the North for the sinking, but Pyongyang has denied the accusations.

In November, North Korea said the South's navy fired into Northern waters and, in retaliation, it shelled Yeonpyeong Island, killing four South Koreans.

Since then, the North has called for better ties with South Korea, urging dialogue and cooperation this year, and asking the South to end its military exercises.

South Korea's president said in a televised New Year's address that North Korea needs to work toward peace with deeds.

"I remind the North that the path toward peace is yet open. The door for dialogue is still open. If the North exhibits sincerity, we have both the will and the plan to drastically enhance economic cooperation together with the international community," South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said.

Netanyahu, Mubarak to discuss breaking impasse in peace talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads to Egypt on Thursday for talks with President Hosni Mubarak on how to overcome an impasse in peace negotiations with the Palestinians. The two men will meet in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

By News Wires (text)

AFP - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was on Thursday heading to Egypt for talks with President Hosni Mubarak on ways to break the impasse in peace negotiations with the Palestinians, his office said.

The two leaders will meet in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for talks that will also focus on regional threats.

A statement from the Israeli leader's office said the two men would discuss ideas to advance the peace process, regional issues and other subjects of interest to the two neighbours.

"I am going to speak with him about the advancement of the peace process and the strengthening of security," Netanyahu said before leaving, in comments broadcast on Israel army radio.

"There are those who are trying to undermine the calm and the peace, including terror elements in Gaza who are manipulated by Iran," he said, referring to the Islamist Hamas movement which rules the enclave. He also mentioned Lebanon's Hezbollah militia.

"They don't want us to advance the (peace) process and they are trying to undermine and to stop the calm," he said. "We won't let them."

Netanyahu will meet Mubarak along with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit and other officials, his office said.

Travelling with him are Trade and Industry Minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer, national security chief Uzi Arad and military secretary Yohanan Locker.

An official from Netanyahu's office told AFP the two would also discuss "threats facing the stability of the region," without elaborating.

Israel's army radio said the two would talk about the growing threat posed by radical Islamist groups operating in Egypt's Sinai peninsula, who have been involved in several incidents of rocket fire towards Israel and Jordan over the last year.

Netanyahu was also expected to raise the issue of weapons smuggling through tunnels linking Egypt with the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

Direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, the first for nearly two years, began on September 2 but hit a crisis just three weeks later when an Israeli ban on settlement building expired.

Since then, the Palestinians have refused to continue talking until Israel renews a freeze on settlement activity, but US efforts to secure a new moratorium collapsed last month.

Ahead of the meeting Jordan's King Abdullah II telephoned Netanyahu, urging him to take "swift action" to move forward the stalled talks and warning against wasting more time, a statement from the palace said.

"Practical steps are needed to remove obstacles facing the peace process," it quoted him as saying. "The deadlocked peace process threatens the entire region."

International efforts are now focused on ways to try and bring the two parties back to some form of indirect negotiations.

At least 210 killed in I. Coast unrest: UN

6 January 2011 - 13H22

Nigerois soldiers serving as UN peacekeepers patrol the streets of Abidjan. At least 210 people have been killed in Ivory Coast since a presidential stand-off escalated in mid-December, according to the United Nations mission in the crisis-hit west African nation.

AFP - At least 210 people have been killed in Ivory Coast since a presidential stand-off escalated in mid-December, the United Nations mission in the crisis-hit west African nation said on Thursday.

Iran's foreign minister meets top Iraqi clerics

06 January 2011 - 13H33

Iran's acting foreign minister Ali Akbar Salehi, seen here in 2009, is courting Iraq's top clerics in Najaf as he aims to boost relations between the Shiite-majority neighbours.

AFP - Iran's acting foreign minister courted top clerics in Najaf, the Iraqi religious heartland, on Thursday, the second day of a visit to Iraq aimed at boosting ties between the Shiite-majority neighbours.

"I came carrying a letter from the Iranian leadership to the religious authorities in Najaf," Ali Akbar Salehi told a news conference in the central Iraq Shiite shrine city.

"I had a good meeting with (Iraq's top Shiite cleric) Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and I also just finished a meeting with Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Said al-Hakim," Salehi said.

"And I will meet Grand Ayatollah Bashir al-Najafi, and Grand Ayatollah Ishaq al-Fayad in order to give them the message from the Islamic republic," he said, referring to other senior Shiite clerics.

The message "said that the Islamic republic supports the new Iraqi government, and will build relations with Iraq based on non-intervention in its internal affairs, and according to the interests between the two countries," Salehi said.

"We support security, services and rebuilding in Iraq, and we will stand by Iraq until it gets over this distress," he added.

The United States has in the past accused Iran of backing various militias within Iraq.

An April 2009 US diplomatic cable published in November by whistleblower website WikiLeaks said the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' elite Quds Force was "active in Iraq, conducting traditional espionage and supporting violent extremists as well as supporting both legitimate and malign Iranian economic and cultural outreach."

Brigadier General Jeffrey Buchanan, the spokesman for US forces in Iraq, told AFP last week that "at least certain elements of Iran have had what I would call a destructive relationship with what's been going on in Iraq."

But he added, "Iran and Iraq share a tremendously long border. It's important for them to have a relationship. Our hope is that it's a constructive rather than a destructive relationship."

Salehi, who arrived in Iraq on Wednesday and met with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, did not indicate if he planned while in Najaf to meet with radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who returned to the city on Wednesday after four years of self-imposed exile abroad.

It is Salehi's second trip abroad since taking taking over the foreign minister post.

His appointment, which is yet to be ratified by the Iranian parliament, came after Ahmadinejad sacked his predecessor Manouchehr Mottaki.

Iran and Saddam Hussein's Iraq fought a bloody eight-year war in the 1980s which left almost a million people dead on both sides.

Ties between predominantly Shiite Iran and Shiite-majority Iraq have warmed considerably since the overthrow of Saddam's Sunni-dominated regime in a US-led invasion in 2003.