(Araucaria) ENC: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[py5eg]

Para os Dxtas
Atilano

ATILANO DE OMS 
PP5EG - PY5EG - PY2OMS
ZW5B, PS2T, PT5T 
ARAUCARIA DX GROUP 




Helsinki, Finland
June 2, 2011




SOUTH SUDAN DXCC STATUS

by Martti Laine, OH2BH

With great anticipation, DXers the world over are looking forward to the

9th of July this year as the predicted day of South Sudan's declaration 
of independence. Indeed, that declaration is set to happen, but it will 
not yet guarantee the birth of a new DXCC entity, at least at that time.

The DXCC rules are written in such a way that only a new country's 
membership in the United Nations and/or its ITU country prefix will 
result in the anticipated DXCC counter. The U.S. State Department 
Geographer's list of Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty 
obviously does not apply in this case.

The opinion from the ARRL is that no exceptions will be made in this 
case. They state that the event date - i.e. declaration of independence 
- will not cause potential QSOs to be counted retroactively. Rather, 
Newington categorically assumes that U.N. membership, which will most 
likely come first, followed by the release of an ITU prefix by the U.N. 
telecommunications agency, will lead to country status.

The prospect of a new country has taken an unexpected turn just 
recently. The country's borderline has never been settled between North 
and South Sudan in the area (Abyei) where most of the oil reserves are 
located. It was agreed under the 2005 Peace Agreement that the border 
issue will be resolved by the people in that province. A referendum to 
settle the matter has not happened. Instead, the North (ST2) has entered

the disputed province with force. Additionally, the North has stated 
that they will not support an independent State in the south unless the 
contested region is theirs. The matter now remains totally in limbo. 
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-13560829>

While the amateur radio project announced earlier this year by 5Z4DZ, 
ST2AR, W3UR and OH2BH is well underway, it is not yet reasonable to 
swing your antennas toward South Sudan, as we speak. The project has two

well-known DXers now permanently based in South Sudan: SM7PKK  and 
YI1DZ/ST2DZ. The knowledge and the professional presence are in place to

proceed with an immediate activation as soon as the above country status

matters are resolved.

More news to follow.






-- 
((( 73 )))

Jarmo OH2BN