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DATE=8/11/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236904
TITLE=SUDAN OPPOSITION MEETS
BYLINE=ELIZABETH BRYANT
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
    ///  EDS:  VOICED VERSION SUBJECT TO VOICE CLEARANCE  ///
INTRO:  SUDAN'S OPPOSITION OFFICIALS HAVE ARRIVED IN EGYPT FOR 
SEVERAL DAYS OF TALKS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THEIR REBEL MOVEMENT.  
LISA BRYANT REPORTS THEIR DISCUSSIONS COME AFTER PEACE TALKS 
BETWEEN REBEL GROUPS AND THE SUDANESE GOVERNMENT LAST WEEK IN 
ETHIOPIA.
TEXT:  SUDANESE OPPOSITION OPPOSITION CALLED THIS WEEK'S TALKS A 
REGULAR MEETING OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE.  THE 
ALLIANCE GROUPS NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN OPPOSITION FACTIONS.  IT 
INCLUDES THE SUDAN PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY, S-P-L-A, THE MAIN 
OPPOSITION GROUP. 
S-P-L-A HEAD JOHN GARANG IS ALSO EXPECTED TO MEET WITH EGYPTIAN 
FOREIGN MINISTER AMR MOUSSA.  THE EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENT IS WORRIED 
THE CIVIL WAR IN SOUTHERN AND EASTERN SUDAN MAY HURT EGYPT'S 
ACCESS TO WATER FROM THE NILE RIVER, WHICH FLOWS THROUGH BOTH 
COUNTRIES. 
S-P-L-A OFFICIAL DENG ALOR SAID THE GROUP WOULD ASK EGYPT FOR 
HUMANITARIAN RELIEF TO HELP HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF SUDANESE 
FACING STARVATION IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE COUNTRY.  
BUT OPPOSITION LEADERS SAY IT IS  NOT  LIKELY THEY WILL DISCUSS 
EXTENDING A LIMITED CEASE FIRE AGREEMENT REACHED LAST MONTH WITH 
THE SUDANESE GOVERNMENT.  INSTEAD, THEY SAY, THEY WILL FOCUS ON 
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS, INCLUDING THE FUTURE OF THEIR REBEL 
MOVEMENT. 
LAST WEEK, THE S-P-L-A REJECTED THE GOVERNMENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT 
THAT IT WOULD EXPAND THE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT, WHICH ALLOWS AID TO
REACH FAMINE-STRICKEN AREAS.  
THE GROUP SAID ANY CEASEFIRE MUST BE NEGOTIATED DURING THE PEACE 
TALKS. TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO WARRING PARTIES BROKE DOWN IN 
ETHIOPIA LAST FRIDAY.  THE REUTERS NEWS AGENCY REPORTS THAT MORE 
TALKS ARE EXPECTED IN NAIROBI WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS. 
THE S-P-L-A HAS BEEN FIGHTING THE SUDANESE GOVERNMENT FOR 15 
YEARS.  THE CIVIL WAR PITS THE NORTH AGAINST THE SOUTH, WHICH IS 
DEMANDING GREATER AUTONOMY. 
SO FAR, AN ESTIMATED ONE-AND-ONE-HALF-MILLION PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN
THE FIGHTING AND RELATED FAMINES. (SIGNED)
NEB/LB/SB/JWH
11-Aug-98 12:04 PM EDT (1604 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.