South Sudan president meets Israeli PM
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September 22, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The president of South Sudan Salva
Kiir met on Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on
the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New
York.
JPEG - 15.5 kb
In this photo released by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, meets South Sudan President
Salva Kiir Mayardit, in New York Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011 (AP)
Israeli media quoted Netanyahu as telling Kiir that the story of South
Sudan is an inspiration and teaches how it is possible to establish a
new independent state in an area that has been – and is yet –
embroiled in painful conflict.
"South Sudan was established after long negotiations and with the
agreement of all parties involved and the international community.
Israel was among the first countries to recognize South Sudan, less
than 24 hours after it was declared, and will be pleased to contribute
knowledge and experience to it in a variety of fields that can help
the new country,” Netanyahu said.
"I hope that everyone will see that this is the way to establish a
state – through direct negotiations and not via unilateral measures,"
he added.
The statements by Netanyahu come as Israel and the US seek to
frustrate efforts by the Palestinian authority to be recognized as a
state through the United Nations.
US President Barack Obama told Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas
that he will veto such a move if it comes to the United Nations
Security Council. He said only Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, not
actions at the United Nations, could bring peace
Palestinians have cited the precedents of South Sudan and Kosovo to
justify their push to declare their own state after years of fruitless
peace talks with Israel.
South Sudan became an independent state last July after its citizens
voted overwhelmingly in favor of separation from the Arab-Muslim
dominated north. The referendum was stipulated in the 2005
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between North and South
Sudan.
South Sudan among many nations has pledged to support the Palestinian
bid at the United Nations. It is not clear if Netanyahu sought
persuade Kiir not to do so.
Israel is home to thousands of Sudanese refugees, including hundreds
from South Sudan, and the country’s independence was greeted with
celebration parties in Tel Aviv, home to much of Israel’s Sudanese
community.
The Jewish state promised to assist South Sudan n areas of
infrastructure, communications and agriculture.
(ST)
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