DATE=12/23/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SUDAN / EGYPT (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257431
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Egypt says it is restoring full diplomatic
relations with neighboring Sudan, after nearly a
decade of strained ties. Richard Engel reports from
Cairo, the announcement (Thursday) came after Egyptian
President Hosni Mubarak met with his Sudanese
counterpart, Omar al-Bashir, in the Egyptian capital.
TEXT: The Egyptian foreign ministry said in a
communique that Egypt will return its ambassador to
Khartoum.
The announcement came after meetings between President
Mubarak and President Bashir in Cairo.
Mr. Bashir had not visited Egypt for the past six
years.
Relations between Egypt and Sudan worsened in 1989,
after a military coup that installed Mr. Bashir in
power. But ties went from bad to worse in 1995, when
Egypt accused the Khartoum government of sponsoring an
assassination attempt on President Mubarak's life.
Egypt continues to accuse Sudan of harboring the
terrorists responsible for the assassination attempt,
and specifically blames the influential Sudanese
politician and speaker of parliament, Hassan al-
Turabi, for masterminding the attack.
However, relations between Egypt and Sudan have been
rapidly improving in recent weeks, following a power
struggle between President Bashir and Mr. Tubabi.
The political in-fighting in Sudan grew so intense
that it prompted President Bashir to dissolve
parliament on December 12th and declare a three-month
state of emergency.
Egypt and Libya have expressed public support for Mr.
Bashir's action. And President Mubarak embarked on a
tour earlier this month of the Gulf states, to lobby
for support of his decision to stand behind Mr.
Bashir.
Analysts say Egypt fears a breakdown of order in Sudan
could threaten its access to vital Nile River water.
(Signed)
NEB/RHE/GE/WTW
23-Dec-1999 13:20 PM EDT (23-Dec-1999 1820 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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