SUDAN: KALAKELA: OMAR EL-BASHIR VISIT

(9 Jul 1995) Arabic/Nat

Sudan's military leaders have continued to extol the achievements of the Islamic revolution, and verbally attack neighbouring Egypt.

At a recent rally, which was attended by at least 20-thousand people, Sudan's military leader, Omar el-Bashir sent a defiant message to the Egyptians as a border dispute between the two countries drags on.

The inhabitants of Kalakela (20 km north of Khartoum) turned out in force to greet their leader, Lieutenant General Bashir.

Over 20-thousand people lined Bashir's path to the rally ground, they had gathered as show of strength and of loyalty. The demonstration was held to pledge support for Bashir in the event of trouble with Egypt.

Hardly a week goes by without one of the Sudan's neighbours accusing Khartoum of trying to export Islamic radicalism.

Now, Khartoum is locked in a bitter war of words with Cairo, which accuses Sudan of plotting the June 26 attempt to assassinate President Hosni Mubarak during a visit to Ethiopia.

Bashir took the rally as an opportunity to send a message to Cairo.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"This is a message to the television viewers in Cairo - they who bow down before their leader- we, the Sudanese bow to nobody but God."
SUPER CAPTION: Lieutenant General Bashir

Egypt currently occupies Halaib, a stretch of land that was part of Sudan, and President Mubarak has expressed little interest in returning it to the Sudanese.

Khartoum says with whatever means necessary it will take back the land. Sudan is reportedly massing troops on the Egyptian border. But Egypt has said it does not want a war with Sudan.

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