Sudan defends aid transfer
Referring to the unfortunate comment which appeared in The Jakarta Post on Feb. 24 by Mathew Ninan W. regarding donation by the Sudan to the tsunami victims in Aceh, allow me to make the following comments on a number of erroneous assertions that marred the said comment by the above writer.
To appreciate the world response to the humanitarian call to Aceh is very much understood. But to blame some of those who have responded is not understood at all. Specially if we know that some of the latter were moved by their brotherhood and friendship for the people of Indonesia.
Anyhow what has been mentioned in this article will not jeopardize the ever-growing relation between Sudan and Indonesia especially in the humanitarian aspects.
To update the information we refer him to the Post of Jan. 20 which published the visit of the Special Envoy of the President of Sudan to Indonesia to convey his condolences, sympathy and support to the people of Indonesia.
The humanitarian assistance by the Sudan to tsunami victims was not a in any way a "show off". It was an expression of solidarity, brotherhood and the solid relationship between the Sudan and Indonesia, and thus it is only natural that the Sudan stands by Indonesia in its hour of greatest tragedy.
Sympathy and expression of brotherhood and the culture of giving to a fellow human being at an hour of need is not a privilege of the rich alone, and if that is what Mathew advocates, he would be better advised to rethink his concept of human relations.
Lastly we would like to draw the attention of the writer that the bilateral relations between countries are not channeled and will never be affected by individual impressions. As far as the problem of Darfur is concerned, a comprehensive peaceful settlement is about to be concluded very soon. In all cases, it is not a problem that hinder Sudanese Foreign Humanitarian Relations especially with a sisterly and friendly country like Indonesia.
KAMAL ALI OSMAN TAHA, Information and Cultural Counselor, Sudanese Embassy, Jakarta