Accra (Greater Accra), 5th May 99 ?

President Jerry John Rawlings on Tuesday reaffirmed his opposition to NATO bombings in Yugoslavia and said he wondered why wealthy Muslim nations were not assisting Kosovo refugees.

He said some nations have come out with aid packages for the refugees, who are Muslims, but nothing has been heard from Muslims either in condemnation of the bombings or assistance to the refugees.

President Rawlings said this when Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Sherif, Secretary-General of the World Islamic Call Society, called on him at the Castle, Osu.

Dr. Sherif, who arrived last weekend, commissioned a multi-purpose education centre on Monday. The centre has computer, vocational and medical wings and was built by the Society, which is a Libya-based non-governmental organisation.

"The silence over what is happening in Yugoslavia is disturbing some of us.

Yugoslavia was given "a shock treatment" in 1995 during the war in Bosnia but now it is not being given a breathing space.

"Why is the voice of the Muslim world not being heard?"

President Rawlings said if Muslim nations would not condemn the bombings in Yugoslavia then they should offer to take in some of the refugees as some western nations are doing.

"The refugees are human. You do not have to be a Muslim before you do your duty. The silence of the world is not right."

He spoke about efforts being made to end the crisis through diplomatic channel; "let us pray a solution is found. Let us create room for dialogue."

The President thanked Libya for its past assistance to Ghana and said "that is why we remain loyal friends but our loyalty is based on principles."

Dr. Sherif said the society, which was set up by the Libyan leader Colonel Muamar Gaddafi, strives to ''bring dignity to all mankind''.