Sudan wants US to respect international legitimacy
HARARE, Aug 30, 2003 (Xinhua) — The Sudanese Embassy in Zimbabwe on Saturday called on the international community to urge the United States administration to respect international legitimacy and refrain from all acts that violate the sovereignty of other states.
The Embassy made the call in a statement to mark the fifth anniversary of the American attack against Al-Shifa Pharmaceutical factory in Khartoum, the Sudan.
The factory, which produced 50 percent of Sudan’s prescription drugs for both medical and veterinary purposes, was attacked on Aug. 20, 1999.
Deputy Ambassador Osam AbdelBari said the United States should fulfill its obligation and commitments as a super power by preserving international peace and security.
“On this painful occasion, the Sudan would like to emphasize that its doors will remain open as it has nothing to hide. The Sudan would also reiterate its complaint before the Security Council against the unjustified American aggression and calls upon Security Council to fulfill its commitments and responsibilities by dispatching a fact finding mission to the Sudan to investigate the activities of Al-Shifa Pharmaceutical factory,” AbdelBari said.
The United States, AbdelBari said, should be held responsible to endue the necessary compensation for the great moral and material damage suffered by the Sudanese people as a result of the attack.
He said the arrogant aggression coupled with sanctions and containment policies failed to deviate the Sudan from proceeding with tremendous endeavors to improve the quality of life of its people.
The Sudanese economy was on the right path to sustainable development and the country had witnessed important institutional and constitutional developments during the last seven years, he said.
“However, the United States government has constantly ignored all these developments and is not exerting serious efforts to resort to constructive dialogue to resolve the outstanding differences that strain the bilateral relations in a peaceful way.”
AbdelBari said the attack on the factory had been based on false information, adding that it was flagrant violation of Sudan’s sovereignty, all principles of international relations, the UN Charter and the values of peace and justice.
The attack on the factory resulted in the complete destruction of the plant, injuries of many innocent citizens and disturbance of peace in the surrounding areas.