June 18, 1996|By GILBERT A. LEWTHWAITE AND GREGORY KANE SO SUN STAFF
The ambassador acknowledges that the government equips and arms ` but does not pay ` the Arab militia of the Popular Defense Force. The militia forces, he says, are charged with protecting their own villages against rebel attack and helping the army "whenever it is in need." They are not authorized to take slaves, he says.
Told that two militia officers confirmed that the regular army and the Arab militia of the Popular Defense Force carry out the slave raids, he replies: "If that is brought to the attention of the government, whether it is an army officer or a soldier or a militia member, then I am sure the government will take all the necessary measures.
"If anything of that nature happens, I am sure it is totally contrary to the policy of the government, beyond the mandate of the army and beyond the mandate of the Popular Defense Force."
The government, he says, has established a commission, headed by the justice minister, to investigate reports "of what you call slavery."
Asked why the government refuses to permit human rights monitors to investigate the repeated charges of slavery, he complains of an international conspiracy "to tarnish the total image of the country."
He adds: "As soon as any such practice is established as happening, I am sure the government will take all measures against it.
"The practice of slavery is something that amounts to an abominable act to every single individual, every citizen, to every responsible person. It is also contrary to the spirit of the soul of every individual, to our religion, our traditions, to Muslims and to the enemy."
