Sudanese Embassy responds

I refer to the article published in The Jakarta Post on Jan. 16 titled Sudanese woman rises from slave to author in UK. I would like to make the observation that the press is powerful, and must therefore exercise great responsibility in the search for the truth through its publications.

It is sad that, from time to time, the Post has published inaccurate information about my country, Sudan, based on foreign correspondents' articles, without cross-checking to ensure the accuracy of publications.

Our government has repeatedly denied that slavery existed, and it established committees to investigate the question in early 1998. It blames the phenomenon on "tribal conflicts", in which both sides took hostages and insisted that their captives were not slaves. Slavery is against the constitution, the law and culture in Sudan, and only the White Man, decades ago, took slaves.

With regard to the subject of slavery in the Sudan, a mixture of exaggeration and false allegations has been the basis for a swindle to satisfy political and financial aims.

The aims are not only an offense to Sudan but the message was directed to a campaign by the grandsons of people enslaved by the Americans and British requesting compensation and an apology to them.

In September 2000, the Sunday Telegraph in London published an article on this matter within the framework of an organized campaign to defame my country, which applies Islamic law. Al- Koronky, who was a diplomat in the Sudan Embassy in London at that time, filed a lawsuit against the Sunday Telegraph. His vindication is more than a personal victory; it is also a vindication for Sudan.

The Sunday Telegraph acknowledged the falsity of the article and apologized for having published it.

In practice, women in Sudan account for approximately more than 60 percent of the population. Not only that: Women now in the Sudan occupy senior positions as ministers, ambassadors, members of the Supreme Court and state governors, as well as many posts in public and private organizations. They also play a respected role in the social, political and economic aspects of life, free of any restrictions or obligations.

KAMAL ALI OSMAN TAHA Charge d'Affaires Sudan Embassy Jakarta