Sudan's minister of information, Dr Ghazi Salaheddin Atabani, read out a statement on Sudanese Television on Thursday 19th August demanding that the United States should pay compensation for the bombing of the Al Shifa factory a year ago.

The following is the text of Dr Atabani's statement, with subheadings inserted editorially: In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful, I am reading out to you a statement by the Sudanese government on the first anniversary of the American aggression against the Al Shifa pharmaceuticals factory.

Tomorrow, Friday 20th August, is the first anniversary of the American military aggression against the Al Shifa pharmaceuticals factory in Khartoum.

The aggression, which deprived the sick and the poor of their right to treatment, was a serious violation of Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and all international laws and conventions, above all the UN charter.

In its attempt to justify the aggression, the American administration resorted to false allegations, claiming that the factory was producing chemical weapons or that it belonged to Osama bin Laden, without any evidence other than baseless intelligence information supplied by quarters motivated by malice.

World believes attack was not justified Soon after the incident, it became clear to the whole world, including the USA, that the claims made to justify the bombing of the factory were false.

These claims are still being used by the American regime to justify its enmity and direct more accusations and provocations against Sudan.

Evidence which refutes the American allegations has continued to stream in from scientists, engineers, technicians and chemical experts.

By bombing the factory, the American government failed to respect its assumed role as an international power responsible for safeguarding international security and peace.

Those who saw the factory being built and its machines imported, assembled and operated witnessed all this, and some scientists refuted the American allegations on scientific grounds.

The decisive proof came when samples of the soil at the factory were examined by a reputable laboratory in the USA.

Witnesses and evidence continued to be reported by the international media and the American press until the stage was reached at which the American government could no longer uphold its unsubstantiated allegations.

While the American government was persisting with its allegations, Sudan made a logical and simple demand in asking the UN to send a fact-finding team to investigate the factory.

The Sudanese government agreed to accept the results of the investigation and all its consequences.

The Sudanese government was not surprised when the American government turned down this logical demand, because the Sudanese government was confident in its position and had nothing to hide.

It became clear that the American government persisted in rejecting any deliberations at the Security Council on the idea of such an investigation, because it lacked confidence in its claims and had much to hide.

In confirmation of the complaint presented to the Security Council over the American aggression against the Al Shifa factory, together with the persisting atmosphere of enmity, provocation and intimidation brought to bear on Sudan by the American administration, the Sudanese government wishes on the occasion of this painful anniversary to reaffirm its openness to those who want to see what it is doing, because it has nothing to hide.

Repeats call for UN fact-finding mission The Sudanese government renews its call on the Security Council to discharge its responsibilities by sending a fact-finding team to Sudan to investigate the destructive bombing of the Al Shifa pharmaceuticals factory and to ask the American administration courageously to recognize the team's findings.

The destruction of the Al Shifa factory has resulted in tragic consequences for this country, which has not ceased to make efforts to improve the lives of its citizens ever since independence.

The unjust strike, in just a second, nullified all the millions spent on funding the factory and its equipment .

In an instant, hundreds of workers, who a few hours before the incident had been happy and treasured hopes in this world, became jobless, with thousands of their dependants affected.

Sudan as a whole, the sick, the poor, humans and animals, lost a precious source of medicine.

It was a factory which was making available 50 to 100 per cent of various types of medicine for Sudanese citizens, and at an affordable prices for the poor.

In just a second this hope was shattered and turned into a miserable scene of destruction and ruin, to which the debris of the factory bears testimony.

It was not done for any good reason, but to satisfy the evil and malicious whims of an oppressive power which wanted to test its ability to wreak destruction.

Sudan ready for dialogue with United States During the past 10 years Sudan has witnessed important political and constitutional developments such as the peace agreement and its provisions for self-determination for the south, dialogue of reconciliation, a multiparty political system, developing positive relations with neighbouring countries and the European Union, and close cooperation with the UN on humanitarian relief and the protection of human rights.

These developments have been welcomed and commended by numerous countries and quarters, as well as by the UN secretary-general.

However, the USA is still clearly stubborn towards all these positive developments and has not abandoned its hostile policies against Sudan, which, for its part, has remained keen to engage in peaceful dialogue based on mutual respect with a USA devoid of the policy of violating the freedom of peoples or interfering in internal affairs.

Contrary to these hopes and aspirations, however, we note a heightened tone of hostility towards Sudan emanating from American government institutions.

Instead of admitting the mistake, a series of new allegations are constantly being made based on similar baseless information as was used to justify the destruction of the Al Shifa pharmaceuticals factory.

Sudan would like to take the opportunity provided by this sad anniversary of the aggression on the Al Shifa factory to thank and commend all the governments, peoples and organizations which sympathized with and supported its position, particularly the peoples and governments of the Nonaligned Movement and Arab, Islamic and African states and peoples, international and regional organizations, and all popular and media organizations in all parts of the world which stood by the people and government of Sudan as they faced the ordeal of that oppressive aggression.

Sudan appeals to the international community to continue supporting Sudan to confront the threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity and support its efforts for peace and stability.

Thank you.

Sudan TV, Omdurman, in Arabic 19 Aug 99