Brother Habib,

I do not share President Wade's upbeat comments.  I cannot
see what they have achieved.  When is the Union coming
into effect and what real powers will it have?  We need a
lot of in-house cleaning in Africa before we can talk about
Unity.  Most countries are rogue states trading in
destabilization of other states.  The main sponsorer of
this unity talk was Libya.  Gadafi needs to look at the
damage he has done to West Africa.  Some of the big players
have stayed away e.g. Taylor (the unrepentant crook he is!),
Kabila, etc..  And the current chairman is no other than
Eyadema.  Tough luck Africa since your sons and daughters
(who call them selves 'your excellences') have betrayed
you. We have a long way to go!!

MMC

On Thu, 13 Jul 2000 22:24:16 -0700 "Habib Ghanim, Sr"
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> 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.
>
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----------------------
Mansour Ceesay
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