Abyei referendum not likey to happen on January 9: Envoy

KHARTOUM, Sudan- Retired General Scott Gration, President Obama's special envoy to Sudan, said Monday that the vote on the status of the disputed border, oil-rich region of Abyei will not be decided on January 9, citing "difficult and emotional issues" that have resulted in breakdown of talks between the NCP and the SPLM.
But Mr. Gration continues to hope that a political solution could still be found by the two powerful men, President Bashir and Senior Vice President Salva Kiir who is also the President of the Government of Southern Sudan.
The issue of Abyei has continued to be confounded by question of who will vote on referendum day because on one side the north is pressing for Misseriya to participate while on the other side the south is saying no since the area belongs to the nine chiefdoms of the Dinka Ngok, and that the Ngok dinka are the ones supposed to decide.
Mr. Gration reiterated the referendum on independence of the South will go as planned, meaning southern Sudanese will vote on January 9, 2011.
He also mentioned Dane Smith who has just been tapped by president Obama as new envoy to head up the Darfur conflict