Benjamin Mkapa: They have received some money, but far very short of the basic start-off funding that is necessary. But both governments have given some money, but it’s not sufficient.

Andrew Heavens, Reuters: Just a technical question first. I think at the beginning of your address, Mr. President, you said that you were not observers and you were not here to certify the results. Could just briefly explain, what you see your core role is? I didn’t quite understand the [reference to] representing the goodwill of the UN.

And secondly, yesterday some ministers in Khartoum made statements about the Abyei referendum. They said that the January 9th deadline was not possible and that they were open to a long delay or perhaps settlement of it outright before the vote. I was wondering if you could respond to that.

Benjamin Mkapa: The Secretary-General has given us a mandate and the terms of that mandate are that we should monitor the referenda process by engaging with all parties at all levels with a view to putting forward any corrective measures or advancing measures that we think are useful or which may be sought from us.

But our ultimate responsibility is to advise the Secretary-General on how this process is going so he can bring his hand to bear upon that process, I suppose, influentially. So that is why it is not for us to certify or to run.

Reuters: Sorry, I had a second question.

Panel chair: Oh, the second question with regard to the statements by the ministers? I think our own statement on Abyei provides the answer. We hope that the talks later this month will produce a successful outcome to the impasse that there is in Abyei.

Mohammed Ali Fazari, freelance journalist: You have actually raised much concern about the coming referenda in Sudan. My question is: you have said that a lot of challenges are facing the Sudanese due to the lack of funding and so many problems. To what extent do you think that the Sudanese themselves are able to overcome such challenges? Or are you going to depend on the good offices that you have said? That is my first question.

My second question is, last night Mr. Sadiq al Mahdi, the leader of the National Umma Party, has accused the UN Security Council of turning a blind eye about what happened in the referendum, only of doing about how to run [a] referendum without taking into consideration about the impact that’s coming after the referendum. Could you comment about this question?

Moderator: I think your second question is more aimed at the Security Council rather than the panel.

Benjamin Mkapa: I have said in our statement that we believe that the Sudanese have the capacity – I hope also the will – to see this process to a successful conclusion on the date they themselves gave in the CPA. We did not draw that one up. They drew it up knowing full well what their capacity was, and I don’t think it is too late for them to summon the will and the capacity to see it through. That is my answer.

As to what the politicians are saying, our job is to facilitate the successful outcome to the implementation of the referendum clauses in the CPA. It is the CPA that is the parameter of our mandate.

Sudan Radio Service: You mentioned a lot of challenges. But I think you have left something out ­– the LRA presence in Southern Sudan and Western Equatoria in particular. You think the presence of the LRA won’t have any impact on the referendum process? And, if so, what would you recommend with regards to the LRA’s presence in Western Equatoria, Southern Sudan?

Number two: when you visited Juba, what was your general assessment? Are people optimistic that they are going to be voting in the referendum?

Benjamin Mkapa: I did not specify the security elements to the successful implementation of the referendum, and I am not about to do so now.

As to the atmosphere in Juba, well, everyone is looking forward to January 9th. How they will vote depends – we’ll see how the registration goes and how the outcome is announced.

Sudan Radio Service: But what do you recommend? The LRA is still a threat.

Benjamin Mkapa: It is not for me to recommend. For me it’s to observe and some things I can only say to the Secretary-General of the United Nations who gave us the mandate. Otherwise I shall inhibit negotiations, implementation and expectations.

Al Ahram (through interpreter): The question [is] that the process has not yet started for registration and for the awareness. The referendum law specifies that a period of two months should be provided for registration and awareness. Are these violations of the international practice and standards for conducting a referendum?

Benjamin Mkapa: I don’t know whether there are specific days prior- or post-registration for elections to be held that can be said to be international standards. But I do know for a fact that the clauses in the CPA regarding the referendum exercise, some of them have been breached. There is no doubt about that. Everyone acknowledges [that], both sides do. So the question is whether or not discretion can be used to make sure that the process unfolds to a successful conclusion.

And all I can tell you is that both sides have assured us that they want to see this process mature on the 9th of January, and they will do everything in their power, whether by law or by consensus, or by discretion - that’s up to them - and I suggest that you talk to the chairman of the election commission. He will be more forthcoming than I can be.

Andrew Heavens, Reuters: Thanks again. At the beginning of your address, you said that you were very concerned about the lack of progress, particularly in voter registration. Can you give us more details on your concerns? Are these delays that we already know about, or are there new concerns that you found in your visit?

Benjamin Mkapa: Well, in our conversations with the chairman of the electoral commission, he itemized those things that he thought were holding the process back.  And my best advice to you is to see the chairman of the commission. He can reply to that more competently than I can.

Journalist: Do you think your work is going to be successful? Are you optimistic? [Inaudible]

Benjamin Mkapa: I will give a faithful report of our observations to the Secretary-General. As to whether I believe this can succeed, I can only tell you that I am a perpetual optimist – otherwise I wouldn’t be here.