Numeiri Sends Best Wishes to Man Who Ousted Him

Ousted President Jaafar Numeiri of Sudan sent a curious message Monday to the army general who deposed him, wishing the new Sudanese strongman well and saying that he understands the reasons for the coup against his own regime.

“We fully understand the circumstances which led to your takeover of power in the light of the latest developments in Sudan,” Numeiri said in his message to Gen. Abdul-Rahman Suwar Dahab, who heads Sudan’s new military-dominated regime. “As a simple Sudanese citizen, I will continue to serve Sudan, and I wish you success in preserving its unity against conspirators.”

Numeiri’s message was made public here as doctors, other professionals and skilled workers in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum called off a general strike that had paralyzed the country and helped precipitate Saturday’s overthrow of Numeiri by the armed forces.

The strike leaders backed off after the new regime threatened to bring treason charges against anyone participating in work stoppages.

The leaders of 31 professional unions met with Gen. Dahab at army headquarters and afterward issued a statement expressing confidence in a promise that Dahab has repeated since the outset of the coup--that power will be returned to civilians as quickly as possible. The statement called on union members to return to their jobs and “produce more.”

Union leaders denied that they surrendered to government threats, declaring that they have accomplished their objectives for the time being.

With the end of the strike, international communications with Sudan were restored Monday for the first time in five days, although the Khartoum international airport remained closed.

Numeiri’s conciliatory message to Dahab was made public by Egypt’s government-run Middle East News Agency. Western diplomats found it curious that Numeiri--a spunky combatant who himself seized the government in a military coup and who survived many coup attempts against him during 16 years in power--had apparently given up so easily.

Pressure From Egypt

These diplomats said it seemed likely that the Egyptian government put pressure on Numeiri to extend the olive branch, and some analysts even suggested that the statement possibly was written and released independently by Egyptian authorities. Senior officials from the Foreign Ministry had met Sunday to plot strategy in dealing with the new Sudanese leaders.

Numeiri has been in seclusion here in the Egyptian capital since his arrival Saturday, when he was stranded here by the coup in his homeland as he was returning from a nine-day visit to the United States.

In Khartoum, Dahab said Monday that Sudan intends to continue its close relationship with Egypt, something that Egypt devoutly wishes, and Western sources in Cairo said they believe that Dahab’s regime will continue Sudan’s moderate, pro-Western course in foreign affairs.

Aid to Continue

In Washington, State Department spokesman Bernard Kalb said Khartoum’s change in government does not affect U.S.-Sudanese relations, which continue uninterrupted. He also said U.S. aid to Sudan will continue.

“The new leadership is facing a heavy agenda of economic and political issues for which there are no easy solutions,” Kalb said. “According to the internal communiques released by Gen. Dahab over the weekend, the military government wants to continue its ties with Sudan’s traditional friends, improve relations with neighboring countries and work constructively with international organizations providing economic support.

“We are ready to participate in this process and are continuing our aid programs,” Kalb added.

The State Department reported that on Sunday, Dahab reassured David Shinn, the U.S. charge d’affaires in Khartoum, that the new government plans to continue Sudan’s pro-Western policies. Kalb noted that Shinn’s meeting with Dahab was initiated by the Sudanese authorities.

Yet, when he was asked if the United States considers the new Sudanese government friendly, Kalb replied, “It is too early to offer any detailed assessments.”

One Last Demonstration

News agency reports from Khartoum said demonstrators poured through the streets there one last time early Monday before the general strike was ended. They called for an immediate return to civilian rule.

The demonstrators reportedly broke into a prison where the arms and legs of convicted lawbreakers had been amputated under Islamic law and freed hundreds of common and political prisoners.

Other demonstrators marched through the streets, chanting: “We want beer! We want beer!” They were demanding an end to Islamic law, which Numeiri imposed on the country in 1983 and under which alcohol is banned.

The new regime has not yet said whether it intends to continue pursuing measures aimed at converting Sudan into a purely Islamic society, steps that under Numeiri provoked strong reactions, especially from the non-Muslim peoples of southern Sudan, where anti-Khartoum rebels continue to battle the central government.