Accompanied by a brass band playing the country's national anthem, UNMIS recently launched its first broadcasting station in Sudan - Radio Miraya - from the southern town of Juba.

Addressing the 30 June event, Southern Sudanese President Salva Kiir stressed that the radio would play a crucial role in informing people about the country's peace agreement. "It will also make the UN's role [in the agreement] clear so that it is not misunderstood," he said.

Also taking part in the launch were Southern Sudan's Minister of Information, Radio and Television, Samson Kwaje, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative in Sudan, Jan Pronk, and several hundred members of the Southern government, the UN, non-governmental organizations and national media.

Opening the ceremony, UNMIS radio chief Leon Willems said that top officials in the Southern government had lent "willing and supportive ears" to plans for Miraya . "The Minister of Information had the vision and courage to start discussing UN radio long before the peace agreement was even signed," he said.

The launch celebrations also included ethnic dances by 26 primary school children in native costume, accompanied by local musicians, and the unveiling of two paintings by Southern Sudanese artist