US Raids: Sudan denounces US `terrorism'

WITH SMOKE still rising from the rubble of the El Shifa chemical plant, Sudan's government yesterday branded President Bill Clinton a pervert and a liar, and demanded the United Nations investigate whether the factory was involved in making chemical weapons as the United States alleges.

Appearing on state television, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir described Mr Clinton as a "morally decrepit liar" who had launched an attack on a harmless factory to distract attention from the White House sex scandal. He also announced the recall of Sudanese diplomats from the US - thus effectively severing ties with Washington, which had pulled its home-based staff out of Khartoum in 1996 amid accusations Sudan was a state which harboured terrorists.

"This is a terrorist action," the President declared as he vowed to seek support and aid from other Arab countries, and banned US planes from Sudanese air space.

"This aggression targets Arab and Muslim people. They have no right to strike Sudan with no justification or evidence." His embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, scene of the devastating truck bomb on 7 August that provoked Thursday's retaliation, was even more abusive of Mr Clinton, calling him a "sexual pervert and maniac".

Yesterday crowds gathered at the plant in the centre of the capital, smoking and smouldering despite heavy rain. Workers with masks over their faces were combing through the wreckage searching for survivors, as bystanders voiced disbelief at the American charges. "Are they crazy," said a woman who worked there. "Do you really think this is a weapons factory?"

British experts too were doubtful. David Hoile, director of the British- Sudanese Public Affairs Council, insisted there was no evidence of chemical weapons being manufactured anywhere in Sudan, citing several government statements to that effect.

Alan White, head of operations in Sudan for the DHL courier company, who was at dinner three miles from the factory when the missiles struck, was also sceptical. "I have been there," he said. "It is a very modern facility, and a well reputed factory for pharmaceuticals."

Last night confusion surrounded the number of casualties from the strikes, said to have been carried out by at least seven cruise missiles. The main hospital in Khartoum spoke of 10 wounded, four of them in critical condition. But the city's governor, Majthob al-Khalifa, said "several" people had been killed, and 300 more were unaccounted for.

Hours after the missiles struck, scores of Sudanese attacked the empty US embassy, hurling stones and abuse.