国际英语新闻：U.S. senator discloses document embodying Sudan gov't commitment to referendum results

KHARTOUM, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Senator John Kerry on Sunday disclosed a document from the Sudanese government reiterating its commitment to abiding by the results of south Sudan referendum and to cooperating with the region.

"Just today, the government of Sudan handed me a resolution, vowing in concrete language to abide by the outcome of the referendum whatever it is and pledge its cooperation with its neighbor to the south on a wide range of economic, political and security issues," said Kerry at a press conference at the conclusion of his three-day visit to Sudan.

"The document does represent one of the many positive steps moving towards Jan. 9 and future stability," he added.

Kerry further urged the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) parties, the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), to work together to overcome their differences over the country's disputed oil-rich area of Abyei where a referendum is to be held simultaneously with south Sudan referendum on Jan. 9, 2011.

Kerry, chairman of the U.S. Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, affirmed commitment of the United States and the administration of President Barack Obama to helping Sudan overcome its issues.

In the meantime, Kerry acknowledged the great progress made by the Sudanese government concerning the conduction of the referendum, but urged the two parties to overcome the outstanding issues.

He expressed confidence that the two parties would overcome their differences "if everyone involved stays focused and acts in good faith."

Kerry started his visit to Sudan on Friday. He visited Juba in south Sudan and held talks with Sudanese First Vice President and President of south Sudan government Salva Kiir Mayardit. In Khartoum, he met with Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, Presidential Adviser Salah Abdalla Gosh and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Ahmed Karti.

The south Sudan referendum faces many difficulties, namely the border demarcation between north and south Sudan and the difference over the country's disputed oil-rich area of Abyei.