  The question raised by [Bastin and Martin 2003 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt.
Phys. 36, 4201] is examined and used to explain in more detail a key point of
our calculations. They have sought to rebut criticisms raised by us of certain
techniques used in the calculation of the off-resonance case. It is also
explained why this result is not a problem for the off-resonance case, but, on
the contrary, opens the door to a general situation. Their comment is based on
a blatant misunderstanding of our proposal and as such is simply wrong.
