PRESIDENT AZHARI AND PARTY MEET PLANE; PRESIDENT BOKASSA OFF PLANE; GUARD OF HONOUR; PRESIDENTS MAKE SPEECHES; CROWD; MOTORCADE;




Initials GHB/VS/CR/MM



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Background: PRESIDENT JEAN BEDEL BOKASSA, OF THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, ARRIVED IN KHARTOUM, SUDAN, ON SATURDAY (29 OCTOBER) ON HIS WAY TO THE OAU SUMMIT MEETING IN ADDIS ABABA.

PRESIDENT BOKASSA WAS GREETED AT THE AIRPORT BY SUDANESE HEAD OF STATE, ISMAIL EL AZHARI. BOTH LEADERS, MADE STATEMENTS AFFIRMING THEIR POLICIES TOWARD AFRICAN UNITY AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STRONG FRIENDSHIP AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THEIR TWO COUNTRIES.

LATER THEY BEGAN TALKS INVOLVING SOUTHERN SUDAN REFUGEES IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC. BY TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 1) PRESIDENT BOKASSA HAD DECIDED TO EXTEND HIS STAY BY ONE DAY TO CONTINUE THE TALKS.

CHEERING CROWDS LINED THE STREETS OF KHARTOUM AS THE TWO LEADERS DROVE IN AN OPEN CAR TO THE REPUBLICAN PALACE. PRESIDENT BOKASSA WAS LATER DUE TO VISIT PRESIDENT AZHARI AT HIS HOME IN NEARBY OMDURMAN, AND TO ATTEND A STATE DINNER.