Talisman insists its presence in Sudan is an influence for the better of the Islamic government, and points out it has contributed heavily to educational and medical projects in the country. It's basically been an outstanding corporate citizen. Axworthy, who, as foreign affairs minister virtually went on a campaign of hatred against the U.S., some left-wing Liberal MPs and Alexa McDonough's New Democrats feel that somehow isolating Sudan will bring about democratic reforms. Strangely, that's the exact opposite feeling they hold about the brutal dictatorship of Fidel Castro in Cuba. Castro has ruled Cuba with an iron fist for more than four decades.
Free speech is banned.
All newspapers, radio and television stations are controlled by the government. Hundreds of thousands have toiled in labour camps. Anyone who demands democratic rights is jailed. The economy is nationalized. Churches have been ransacked, believers brutalized.