Sudan: in defence of the FO

ON OCTOBER 4 you published a picture of Sudanese Bishop Paride Taban who visited London recently. The caption stated that British officials had refused to see him during his visit. This was not the case. Bishop Taban and his delegation met the head of the Near East and North Africa Department at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 23 September. I hope you will issue a correction or publish this letter.
The British Government shares the concern of your readers about the situation in Sudan as a consequence of the long-running civil war. My officials in London, Khartoum and Nairobi are in regular touch with all parties involved in the war, including church leaders. We regularly stress both to the Sudanese government and to southern opposition groups our concern to see a negotiated end to the civil war and respect for human rights. We also provide material support to the victims of the civil war in Sudan. The UK is the second largest bilateral donor to Sudan. We have given over £95 million of humanitarian assistance to Sudan and Sudanese refugees since 1991. We disburse this aid through Non-Governmental Organisations and the UN's Operation Lifeline Sudan. The Rt Hon Jeremy Hanley MP Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London SWI