§ Q10. Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)If he will apologise to the Government and people of Sudan for his endorsement of the bombing of the Al Shifa factory; and if he will hold discussions with President Clinton about giving all possible assistance for the rebuilding of the Al Shifa factory.
§ The Prime MinisterLast August, I gave my support to the United States action. It was action against international terrorists. The US told us at the time of the strike on Al Shifa that it had compelling evidence that the plant was being used for the production of chemical weapons materials.
§ Mr. DalyellHave the Government any hard evidence that Al Shifa manufactured VX precursors or any other chemical weapons-related compounds, or have they not?
§ The Prime MinisterYes. The US was quite clear: it had compelling evidence that Al Shifa was involved 365 in chemical weapons production. Terrorist organisations operating out of those places caused the death of more than 100 totally innocent people by acts of terrorism in Africa. The assault on Al Shifa was retaliation for that; no one was killed in it, but we gave a very clear signal— and I think the right one—to those who engage in international terrorism that we are prepared if necessary to take action in retaliation.