SUDAN: KHARTOUM: TENSION BETWEEN SUDAN AND EGYPT RISES

Описание: (6 Jul 1995) Eng/Arabic/Nat

For more than a week, Sudan and Egypt have buzzed with bitter talk of war, a fight for God and country over a disputed desert strip near the Red Sea and use of the Nile's water.

But as Sudanese leaders pledged not to attack Egypt - echoing an Egyptian pledge of non-aggression - it's increasingly clear that the rallies and banners are part of another war - the one at home.

Since the June 26th attempted assassination of Egyptian President Mubarak in Ethiopia, relations between Sudan and Egypt have reached crisis point.

A bitter dispute over use of the Nile waters and border problems shows no sign of being reconciled.

SOUNDBITE: Arabic/translation:

It is clear to us that under the present Egyptian leadership, the situation is not very optimistic, because we have, truly, made every effort there is to return the relationship (Sudan/Egypt) to what it should be - even develop it. We realise the importance of the Egyptian-Sudanese relationship, whether for the sake of the Egyptian people or the Sudanese, and we have tried to develop this relationship. All our efforts have not only been met with rejection, but with conspiracy, attack and war (armed confrontation).

SUPER CAPTION: Lt. Gen. Omar el-Bashir, Sudanese Leader

Lt. Gen. Omar el-Bashir overthrew Sudan's democratically elected government in 1989. Since then the country's militant Islamic agenda has wrecked its relations with most neighbours and its economy is in shambles with a long running civil war showing no sign of ending.

Both sides have recently backed down over the use of military aggression in the conflict.

Although denied by Sudan, Egypt is concerned that the Nile's waters will be used as a means to put pressure on them by the Sudanese Islamic government.

Hassan al Turabi, the Islamic leader, wants Egypt to recognise Sudan's borders:

SOUNDBITE: English
But if people are provoked naturally they react. If the tension rises then - their reaction rises. I wouldn't be surprised if one day if you don't recognise international relationships on the frontier with Sudan and Egypt who would recognise international relationships on water supplies.

SUPER CAPTION: Hassan al Turabi, Islamic Leader

He still believes Egypt is responsible for the current deterioration in relations between the two neighbours:

SOUNDBITE:
Sudan wanted negotiations or an arbitration or court of justice, an international court of justice but the Egyptian say this is their land, which they only now discover to be their own and they want to take it by force.

SUPER CAPTION: Hassan al Turabi, Islamic Leader

Turabi has worked tirelessly to make the country a showcase of Islamic rule. But the world accuses it of exporting Muslim radicalism.

SOUNDBITE: English
I'm not surprised that the Americans, who know relatively little about the world believe it - but west Europeans - I don't think they should believe this about the country they have known before actually. There is absolutely no tradition of terrorism in Sudanese tradition at all.

SUPER CAPTION: Hassan al Turabi, Islamic Leader

Though neither country appears to want a war, it is believed that Sudan is using the crisis with Egypt to bolster the government, tapping festering resentment of what many Sudanese consider arrogance by its stronger, more populous neighbour.

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