DATE=11/14/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SUDAN/AMNESTY (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256149
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has announced
a measure aimed at pacifying human rights critics and
attracting exiled opposition leaders into the
country's political process. Correspondent Scott Bobb
reports from Cairo the announcement comes ahead of
multi-party elections due to be held next year.
TEXT: Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has
reportedly offered amnesty to political prisoners and
says his government will return property confiscated
from opposition figures.
The Sudanese News Agency quotes government minister
and former rebel leader Lam Akol as announcing the
measures after a meeting of the Committee for Peace
and Detente.
The committee is charged with finding ways to end
Sudan's lengthy civil war and bring into the political
process members of the exiled opposition, who as
recently as last year called for the overthrow of the
Bashir government.
The reported amnesty would release dozens of
imprisoned supporters of the exiled National
Democratic Alliance. It would eliminate lists of
dissidents who are banned from political activity or
forbidden from traveling abroad. And it would return
properties seized by the Bashir government following
its military coup in 1989.
The coup and the harsh policies that followed it
bought international criticism that has only recently
begun to ease.
/// REST OPT ///
Mr. Akol was quoted as saying the measures are
designed to improve the climate of understanding in
the country and underscore the government's commitment
to, what he called -- comprehensive national
reconciliation.
The Sudanese government has been seeking to draw
exiled opposition groups into the political process.
It removed a ban on opposition political parties this
year and allowed the return of some exiled opposition
leaders.
It has also moved, through its neighbors Egypt and
Libya and through a group of East-African governments,
to forge an agreement to end the lengthy civil war in
southern Sudan.
Diplomatic activity in this area has intensified in
recent months. Senior government officials have met
with exiled opposition leaders and several of these,
including former President Jafaar al-Nimeiri, have
visited Khartoum.
But other members of the exiled opposition say the
peace offers are meant only to legitimize upcoming
national elections, which they say will be manipulated
to maintain the Bashir government in power. And the
southern rebels have not indicated they are willing to
accept any government offer at this time. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/ALW/RAE
14-Nov-1999 11:26 AM EDT (14-Nov-1999 1626 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
