Sudan defends aid transfer
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