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DATE=12/7/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SUDAN PARDONS (L-O)
NUMBER=2-256930
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has pardoned 
20 prisoners, including two Roman-Catholic priests, 
charged with a series of bombings.  But Middle East 
Correspondent Scott Bobb reports the pardon is causing 
concern among some Sudanese church leaders.
TEXT:  Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir issued the 
pardon before television cameras, after the priests 
asked for forgiveness. 
         /// BASHIR ACT - IN ARABIC - FADE UNDER ///
President Bashir said he had decided to grant the 
pardon, as requested by the accused, in the spirit of 
an agreement signed last month in Djibouti.
The Sudanese president was referring to a 
controversial agreement signed with one of the major 
exiled opposition leaders, former Prime Minister Sadiq 
al-Mahdi.  The agreement outlines a program to bring 
peace after decades of civil war, but most other 
exiled dissidents have rejected the Djibouti accord.
/// OPT ///  News agencies say the two priests and 18 
civilian prisoners were to be released Tuesday.  /// 
END OPT ///
Sudanese news media broadcast remarks by one of the 
priests, Hilary Boma, expressing gratitude to the 
Sudanese president.
        ///  BOMA ACT - IN ARABIC - FADE UNDER  ///
Father Boma thanked the Sudanese president on behalf 
of the Sudanese people.  He said the pardon is in the 
path of peace and human rights.
The prisoners were accused of involvement in a series 
of bombings 18-months ago in Khartoum to mark the 
ninth anniversary of the coup that brought President 
Bashir to power.  They faced the death penalty if 
convicted.
Catholic officials reportedly were concerned that the 
priest's request for a pardon would constitute an 
admission of guilt.  Last December, the Vatican news 
service reported that Father Boma signed a confession 
to stop the torture of a colleague before his eyes.
            /// REST OPT ///
Sudanese government officials in recent months have 
met with a number of exiled dissidents, seeking to 
encourage them to return home.  The government 
legalized opposition parties in anticipation of 
parliamentary elections next year.  
The moves have attracted some opposition leaders, but 
have drawn an angry rejection from others.  They say 
the government intends to control the outcome of the 
vote by restricting which parties are allowed to 
register.   (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JWH/RAE
07-Dec-1999 12:20 PM EDT (07-Dec-1999 1720 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.