Wednesday, June 2, 1999 Published at 10:56 GMT 11:56 UK


Sudan opens oil pipeline

Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir on Monday inaugurated a billion dollar
pipeline in the central town of Hajlij, which will carry oil to the eastern
port of
Bashayir for export.

The pipeline opening ceremony

In a speech at the ceremony, quoted by Sudanese radio, Bashir thanked all
the
companies which worked on the extraction of Sudanese oil, particularly the
Chinese, Malaysian and Canadian companies. "We give chances to those who
want to cooperate with us, provided they respect Sudan and the dignity of
its
people," he said.

The first exports will begin from Bashayir on 13th June, the exact
anniversary of
the coup which brought Bashir to power. The pipeline has a pumping capacity
of
450,000 barrels per day.

It will connect to a refinery in North Kordofan and another near the capital
Khartoum.