from pana





President Wade Hails Lome OAU Summit

July 13, 2000

DAKAR, Senegal (PANA) - President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal has hailed
the
just-concluded summit of the OAU in Lome, Togo, saying he is satisfied
with the adoption of
the treaty establishing the African Union.

In a statement released after he returned to Dakar from the gathering
Wednesday, he
described the accomplishment by the African heads of State as a miracle.

"Within a year, since the Sirte meeting, Africa has been able to
accomplish its political unity
from a mosaic of states. This is a miracle and we should be happy about
it," he emphasized.

"Africa has achieved a miracle where Europe spent centuries working on
its unity," said
Wade, who attended the summit for the first time as head of state.

"The dream I have so long nurtured along with so many other African
intellectuals has now
come true," he said, adding that he had never before felt so much joy.

According to him, African Unity has to be popularized, its content and
thrust explained to all
members of society in each OAU member country.

The grounds covered by the African Union include key issues tied to the
life of a nation,
namely the economy, the environment, social issues and sports, among
others.

Commenting on Africa's problems with its external debt estimated at more
than 300 billion
dollars, Wade said the issue would be discussed at a continental seminar
to be held in Dakar.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------------