U.S. Reduces Mission in Sudan, Warns of ‘Terrorist’ Danger

The State Department said Wednesday that it is bringing home some diplomatic personnel from Sudan and warned Americans against travel to Khartoum, the capital, because of the presence of “known terrorists,” most of them Libyan.

The department said it will reduce the number of U.S. diplomatic personnel and dependents by 10%.

A spokesman, Charles Redman, asserted that the Sudanese government, which took power in the coup April 6 that ousted longtime President Jafaar Numeiri, has “not responded to our concern” about the terrorist presence.

The travel advisory said that “due to the presence in Khartoum of known terrorists, and possible threats to U.S. interests, American citizens are advised to avoid the city of Khartoum.”

Asked to expand on the identities of the terrorists, Redman told reporters: “Most are Libyans, but there are some from other countries and organizations as well.” He declined to be more specific or to talk about their activities or how their presence was discovered.

Officials said there are about 600 Americans in Sudan. About two-thirds of them are U.S. government employees or dependents.

The Reagan Administration has sought to improve relations with the government headed by Abdul Rahman Suwar-Dahab since the coup against the pro-American Numeiri.

The new government, however, has improved ties to the Libyan regime of Moammar Kadafi, which Washington considers a prime supporter of international terrorism.

Redman said the Administration has been working with the new authorities “for some time” on the problem of terrorists. Sudan “has been very cooperative in providing security forces to guard the chancery and other U.S. government buildings,” he said. “However, it has not responded to our concern about the presence of terrorists.”