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DATE=12/13/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SUDAN EMERGENCY (L)
NUMBER=2-257106
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  The Sudanese capital, Khartoum, is reported 
calm today (Monday), after President Omar al-Bashir 
dissolved parliament and declared a state of 
emergency.  But security has been tightened around key 
government and military offices.  V-O-A Middle East 
Correspondent Scott Bobb reports the move is widely 
seen as part of a power struggle between the Sudanese 
military and civilian politicians in the national 
assembly (parliament).
TEXT:  Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir told 
reporters Monday he declared the emergency measures 
and suspended parliament to restore discipline and 
order.
   /// BASHIR ACT IN ARABIC. IN AND FADE UNDER ///
Appearing in military uniform, the Sudanese president 
said a country can have only one leader.  He accused 
the national assembly and its speaker, Hassan al-
Turabi, of seeking to undermine him through 
parliamentary maneuvers.  But he promised there would 
be  no  security crackdown as long as the rule of law 
is respected.
The Sudanese president announced the emergency 
measures on national television Sunday night, saying 
they will last until national elections can be held in 
three months.
Mr. al-Turabi, who is also Secretary-General of the 
ruling National Congress party, said the measures 
amount to a coup d'etat.  His spokesman, Mohamed 
Hassan al-Amin says they are illegal.
   /// AL-AMIN ACT IN ARABIC, IN AND FADE UNDER ///
Mr. al-Amin said the emergency measures will be 
appealed to Sudan's constitutional court.
Sudanese politics in recent months have been in 
turmoil, characterized by a power struggle between 
civilian and military factions of the Islamic-oriented 
government that came to power 10 years ago.
The assembly was to vote Tuesday on a law stripping 
the president of the power to appoint state governors.  
It was also debating a law allowing it to dismiss the 
president and create the post of prime minister, 
answerable to the parliament.
The head of the Sudan Studies Center in Cairo, Haidar 
Ibrahim, told V-O-A if the parliament had convened 
Tuesday, it could have dealt a serious political blow 
to the president and his supporters.
            /// IBRAHIM ACT ///
      This is a palace coup in which al-Bashir has won 
      the first round against Turabi.  And I think for 
      a long time it was  not  clear which faction is 
      ruling the Sudan, the civil faction or the 
      military faction.
            /// END ACT ///
Professor Ibrahim says that after years of civil war 
and conflict between the Sudanese government and the 
exiled opposition, all sides are exhausted.  He says, 
however, national reconciliation must be achieved 
before elections can be held and political stability 
restored.   (Signed)
NEB/SB/JWH/WTW
13-Dec-1999 12:31 PM EDT (13-Dec-1999 1731 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.