ANGOLA

Statement by

H.E. Mr. Joao Bernardo de Miranda

Minister of Foreign Affairs

MR. PRESIDENT,

ALLOW ME TO BEGIN BY CONGRATULATING YOU ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA AND MYSELF ON YOUR ASSUMPTION TO THE PRESIDENCY OF THE FIFTY‑FIFTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I ALSO WISH TO CONGRATULATE THE OUTGOING PRESIDENT, THE DISTINGUISHED MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF NAMIBIA, H.E. MR. THEO BEN GUIRIRAB, FOR THE WISE AND ABLE MANNER IN WHICH HE CARRIED OUT HIS MANDATE.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION TO THE SECRETARY‑GENERAL, H.E. MR. KOFI ANNAN, FOR HIS UNSELFISH EFFORTS TO MAKE THE UNITED NATIONS AN INCREASINGLY EFFICIENT INSTRUMENT, UP TO DEALING WITH THE DEMANDS OF OUR TIMES, AND CAPABLE OF FINDING AND IMPLEMENTING SOLUTIONS FOR THE MOST PRESSING PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD.

MR. PRESIDENT,

EXCELLENCIES,

JUST A FEW DAYS AGO DURING THE MILLENIUM SUMMIT, THE LEADERS OF THE WORLD DEFINED THE PRIORITIES OF THE UNITED NATIONS FOR THE 21^ST CENTURY AND EXPRESSED THE NEED TO ADAPT A NEW STRUCTURE FOR THE NEW DEMANDS AND THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE.

DURING THAT EVENT OF TRANSCENDENTAL IMPORTANCE FOR THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS PLANET, THE INDISPENSABLE AND IRREPLACEABLE CHARACTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS WAS REAFFIRMED. MEMBER STATES REITERATED THEIR PROMISE TO PRESERVE THE UNITED NATIONS AS A PRIVILEGED MECHANISM FOR INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND COOPERATION IN THE NAME OF PEACE AND WELL‑BEING OF ALL PEOPLES.

INDEED, HAVING ACKNOWLEDGED THE ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS AS GUARANTOR OF PEACE AND WELL‑BEING OF THE PEOPLES, IT IS URGENT THAT WE BEGIN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ACTIONS AIMED AT ADAPTING ITS INTERNAL STRUCTURE TO NEW WORLD REALITIES. THIS WILL PERMIT THE U.N. TO DEAL RAPIDLY AND EFFECTIVELY WITH THE MAIN PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD AND AVOID HAVING ITS MEMBERS RESORT TO SOLUTIONS OUTSIDE THE STABLISHED FRAMEWORK OF ITS MAIN ORGANS NAMELY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL.

IN RECENT YEARS, THE UNITED NATIONS SOUGHT, THROUGH WORLD SUMMITS, TO FIND GLOBAL SOLUTIONS WITH BROAD INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS FOR THE MISFORTUNES THAT AFFLICT HUMANITY SUCH AS LOCAL WARS, DEGRADATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT, VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS, INADEQUATE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, AMONG OTHERS. VARIOUS PLANS OF ACTION WERE OUTLINED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEMS THEY SOUGHT TO ATTENUATE OR RESOLVE PERSIST AND MANY HAVE EVEN BECOME WORSE.

A REVISION OF THE MECHANISM FOR IMPLEMENTING DECISIONS IS URGED THROUGH A REVITALIZATION AND STRENGTHENING OF THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM, PARTICULARLY THAT OF ITS PRINCIPAL BODIES SUCH AS THE SECURITY COUNCIL.

FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW, THAT BODY REQUIRES GREATER INTERNAL DEMOCRACY; AND ITS COMPOSITION SHOULD REFLECT THE CURRENT MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORGANIZATION AND THEIR GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY. WE THINK THAT, IN THIS WAY, ITS DECISIONS WOULD BE SWIFTER AND ITS PERFORMANCE IN THE AREA OF PEACEKEEPING AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY MORE EFFECTIVE.

MR. PRESIDENT,

THE PERSISTENCE OF A CLIMATE OF INSECURITY AND INSTABILITY IN A NUMBER OF REGIONS OF THE WORLD CANNOT BE ATTRIBUTED SOLELY TO INTERNAL CAUSES. IT ALSO STEMS FROM A WEAKNESS IN THE INTERNATIONAL SECURITY SYSTEM.

A REFLECTION OF THIS IS THE DEFICIENCIES THAT STILL EXIST, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE EARLY WARNING SYSTEM AND IN THE PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS MECHANISMS. THEY HAVE NOT ALWAYS CORRESPONDED TO THE DESIRED OBJECTIVES, EITHER BECAUSE THE PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS SOMETIMES ARE NOT SENT IN A TIMELY MANNER, OR BECAUSE AT TIMES, THEY ARE NOT PROVIDED WITH ADEQUATE HUMAN, MATERIAL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES. AT TIMES, IT IS DUE TO THE AMBIGUITY IN THE MISSION MANDATE ITSELF.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ACTIONS IN THE AREA OF PEACE AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY DOES NOT DEPEND ONLY ON UNITED NATIONS ACTIVITIES. IT IS NECESSARY THAT THERE BE RENEWED COMMITMENT ON THE PART OF EACH AND EVERY STATE. ON THIS MATTER, I WOULD LIKE TO APPLAUD THE RECENT PUBLICATION OF THE BRAHIMI REPORT.

IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ADOPTION OF MEASURES AT THE NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS SHOULD BE MADE PART OF THIS COMMITMENT IN ORDER TO ELIMINATE THE SOURCES OF FINANCING FOR LOCAL WARS. IN THE PARTICULAR CASE OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT, THE CONTINENT MOST AFFECTED BY THE SCOURGE OF WAR, THE ILLICIT TRADE IN DIAMONDS HAS BEEN THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF SUPPORT FOR WARS INCITED BY SOME REBEL GROUPS WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF OVERTURNING DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED REGIMES.

SOME FORTHCOMING INITIATIVES HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED WITH THE AIM OF REDUCING ACCESS OF THESE "DIAMONDS OF CONFLICT" TO THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET. MY GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS THESE INITIATIVES AND WILL PROVIDE ANY COOPERATION NECESSARY FOR THEIR IMPLEMENTATION.

ANOTHER SERIOUS ISSUE AFFECTING INTERNATIONAL SECURITY IS THE CIRCULATION AND TRANSFER OF SMALL ARMS THAT FLOW TO AREAS OF CONFLICT BY WAY OF REBEL GROUPS. THIS TAKES PLACE WITH THE CONNIVANCE OF CERTAIN GOVERNMENTS AND NETWORKS OF TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME.

THE LACK OF INTERNATIONAL LEGAL INSTRUMENTS CAPABLE OF CONTROLLING TRANSACTIONS OF THESE ARMS IS STIMULATING THE CREATION OF ACTUAL ARMS MARKETS, ABOVE ALL IN AFRICA. THIS IS LEADING TO AN INCREASED NUMBER OF CONFLICTS AND MAKING THEIR RESOLUTION EVEN MORE DIFFICULT. ACCORDING TO UNITED NATIONS DATA, THE EFFECTS OF THESE ARMS ON CIVIL POPULATIONS ARE SHOCKING. THEY HAVE ALREADY RESULTED IN MORE DEATHS THAN THE TWO WORLD WARS COMBINED.

IN FACT, MR. PRESIDENT, THE ISSUE OF "DIAMONDS OF CONFLICTS" AND THE PROLIFERATION OF SMALL ARMS ASSUMES A SPECIAL IMPORTANCE FOR ANGOLA. IT IS THROUGH THE SALE OF ILLEGALLY MINED DIAMONDS THAT THE REBELS LED BY JONAS SAVIMBI RECONSTITUTED THEIR WAR MACHINE WITH WHICH THEY THEN UNDERTOOK A LARGE SCALE MILITARY CAMPAIGN SEEKING TO TAKE POWER. THIS WAR CAMPAIGN LED TO A PROCESSION OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION, AND IS THE PRINCIPAL REASON FOR THE ECONOMIC INSTABILITY IN ANGOLA.

THIS SCENARIO IS REPEATING ITSELF IN OTHER REGIONS OF THE WORLD, NAMELY IN AFRICA. FOR THIS REASON, A SOLUTION IS URGENTLY REQUIRED.

MR. PRESIDENT,

EXCELLENCIES,

THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ERADICATION OF POVERTY, RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED IN ABSOLUTE CONDITIONS OF PEACE AND STABILITY.

IT IS IN THIS CONTEXT THAT MY GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED AS A PRIORITY THE RESTORATION OF DEFINITIVE PEACE IN ANGOLA. FRUIT OF ITS EFFORTS TO ATTAIN THIS OBJECTIVE, THE GENERAL SITUATION IN ANGOLA HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED. IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT TODAY WE ARE MORE CONFIDENT THAN EVER IN A FUTURE OF PEACE, DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPERITY.

INDEED, THE WAR HAS CEASED TO HAVE THE SAME INTENSITY AS SEVERAL YEARS AGO, AND THE CONFLICT ITSELF IS MOVING PROGRESSIVELY TOWARD AN END. THE POLITICAL AND MILITARY MEASURES UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED THE ABILITY OF THE REBELS TO WAGE WAR. THESE MEASURES HAVE ALSO ALLOWED THE GOVERNMENT TO RESUME CONTROL OVER NEARLY THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

MORE THAN 12 THOUSAND REBEL MILITARY PERSONNEL HAVE ABANDONED THEIR ARMS AND JOINED THE EFFORTS OF RECONSTRUCTION AND NATIONAL RECONCILIATION. THOSE WHO PERSIST IN WAGING WAR HAVE LESS AND LESS SPACE, AND THEIR ACTIVITIES ARE LIMITED TO ISOLATED ARMED ATTACKS AGAINST CIVILIAN TARGETS, THE OBJECTIVE BEING TO DESTROY AND LOOT THE PEOPLE'S PROPERTY.

THE MILITARY MEASURES UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT REPRESENT A NECESSARY AND LEGITIMATE RECOURSE DESIGNED TO STOP THE VIOLENCE UNLEASHED BY THE REBELS, WHICH PUT IN JEOPARDY THE VERY EXISTENCE OF THE ANGOLAN DEMOCRACTIC SYSTEM.

HOWEVER, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE UNDERGOING MEASURES AIMED AT THE TOTAL CONTROL OF OUR NATIONAL BORDERS AND THE ELIMINATION OF THE REMAINING POCKETS OF CRIMINAL ARMED GROUPS ARE EXERTING A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE SEARCH FOR PEACE, THEY DO NOT COMPRISE OUR ONLY OPTION FOR THE RESOLUTION OF ARMED CONFLICT.

SIMULTANEOUSLY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT OTHER ACTIONS AIMED AT GUARANTEEING THE TOTAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LUSAKA PROTOCOL, WHICH FOR US CONTINUES TO BE A VALID BASIS FOR THE RESOLUTION OF THE ANGOLAN PROBLEM. IN THIS CONTEXT, WE REITERATE OUR READINESS TO CONTINUE TO INTEGRATE IN OUR SOCIETY ALL THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO ABANDON THE OPTION OF WAR.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE UNITED NATIONS IN PARTICULAR, STILL HAVE AN ACTIVE ROLE TO PLAY IN THE PROCESS OF RESTORING PEACE IN ANGOLA. THIS IS THROUGH THE CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION AND STRENGTHENING OF SANCTIONS AGAINST THE REBELS LED BY JONAS SAVIMBI.

THE RECENT NOMINATION BY THE SECRETARY‑GENERAL OF THE MECHANISM TO MONITOR THE APPLICATION OF SANCTIONS AGAINST THE UNITA REBELS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1295/2000, WILL CONTRIBUTE TOWARD GREATER INTERNATIONAL VIGILANCE REGARDING EVENTUAL VIOLATIONS. IT WILL DENY BASES OF SUPPORT TO THE ARMED REBELLION IN ANGOLA. WE HOPE THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE UNITED NATIONS WILL EXTEND THEIR COOPERATION TO THIS BODY.

THE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OF THE SITUATION IN ANGOLA, HOWEVER, HAS NOT BROUGHT AN IMMEDIATE END TO THE EFFECTS OF WAR ON THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE. THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION CONTINUES TO BE CRITICAL, AND FOR THAT WE APPEAL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO INCREASE ITS ASSISTANCE TO THE NEEDY POPULATIONS.

MR. PRESIDENT,

EXCELLENCIES,

THE POSITIVE EVOLUTION OF SITUATION IS NOT LIMITED TO THE POLITICO‑MILITARY FIELD. IT HAS ALSO CARRIED OUT INTO THE MACRO‑ECONOMIC SECTOR. ANGOLA CONTINUES ON THE PATH OF ECONOMIC REFORMS WHICH HAVE EARNED THE CONFIDENCE OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. THIS PROGRESS TRANSLATED TO THE RECENT SIGNATURE OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE IMF RELATED TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A MONITORED PROGRAM.

WE HOPE THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL CONTRIBUTE IN A SUBSTANTIAL WAY THROUGH THE INVESTMENT OF CAPITAL DURING THE RECOVERY PHASE OF THE ANGOLAN ECONOMY IN SUPPORTING STABILITY AND GROWTH.

ANGOLA ADOPTED LEGISLATION TO PROTECT FOREIGN INVESTMENT PROVIDING INCENTIVES AND GUARANTEES.

MR. PRESIDENT,

EXCELLENCIES,

THE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION CONTINUES TO BE CHARACTERIZED BY VIOLENCE AND TENSION IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD. THEY CONSTITUTE A SERIOUS THREAT TO PEACE AND STABILITY.

ANGOLA IS SERIOUSLY CONCERNED BY THE CONTINUATION OF THE CONFLICT IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO IN VIEW OF THE GRAVE REPERCUSSIONS ON STABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE CENTRAL REGION OF AFRICA. THE SITUATION IN THIS NEIGHBOR COUNTRY, WHO SHARES MORE THAN TWO THOUSAND KILOMETERS OF COMMON BORDER WITH ANGOLA, REMAINS QUITE VOLATILE AND COMPLEX. IT RUNS THE RISK OF A SERIOUS WORSENING IF APPROPRIATE MEASURES ARE NOT TAKEN.

THE RESOLUTION OF THE CONGOLESE CONFLICT PASSES FUNDAMENTALLY THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LUSAKA CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT. IN SPITE OF ITS SHORTCOMINGS WHICH PERHAPS DEMAND A NEW READING, IT CONTINUES TO BE THE ONLY BASIS ACCEPTABLE TO ALL THE INVOLVED PARTIES. IT RESPECTS THE SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO. INVADING FORCES SHOULD WITHDRAW COMPLETELY FROM CONGOLESE TERRITORY AND CEASE IMMEDIATELY THE SUPPORT FOR THE DESTABILIZATION OF THAT COUNTRY.

THESE PREMISES, IN ADDITION TO THE INTER‑CONGOLESE DIALOGUE, FOUNDED ON A REALISTIC BASE, INCLUDING THE UNEQUIVOCAL RECOGNITION OF THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT IN KINSHASA, WILL BE CRUCIAL FOR SUCCESS OF THE PEACE PROCESS.

ANGOLA REITERATES ITS COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY EFFORTS, TOGETHER WITH THE MEDIATOR, PRESIDENT FREDERICK CHILUBA, AND OTHER PARTIES TO THE LUSAKA AGREEMENT, UNTIL A WAY OUT OF THE CONFLICT IS FOUND.

IN SIERRA LEONE, THE PROSECUTION OF HOSTILITIES CONTINUES TO DELAY THE PACIFICATION OF THE COUNTRY. ANGOLA SUPPORTS REGIONAL INITIATIVES AIMED AT REACTIVATING THE PEACE PROCESS AND CONDEMNS THE ATTACKS AGAINST UNITED NATIONS PERSONNEL AND FORCES. WE SUPPORT STEPS AIMED AT TAKING TO INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE THE PRINCIPALS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATROCITIES COMMITTED AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF THAT COUNTRY.

IN SOMALIA, THE PROGRESS REACHED AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE LED TO THE RE‑ESTABLISHMENT OF SOME NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND MOVED THE COUNTRY CLOSER TO PEACE. ANGOLA ENCOURAGES THE CONTINUATION OF THESE EFFORTS AND HOPES THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE SOMALIA MAY BE ABLE TO REASSUME, DE FACTO, ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

IN THE HORN OF AFRICA, THE CONFLICT BETWEEN ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA HAS UNDERGONE SOME POSITIVE MOVEMENT FOLLOWING THE SIGNING OF THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES AGREEMENT IN ALGIERS. WE HOPE THAT THE TWO PARTIES HONOUR THEIR COMMITMENTS UNDER THE ACCORD AND CREATE CONDITIONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GOOD NEIGHBORLY RELATIONS AND COOPERATION.

IN THE SAME WAY, WE CONTINUE TO BE OPTIMISTIC REGARDING THE RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT IN WESTERN SAHARA THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS PEACE PLAN.

ANGOLA IS FOLLOWING WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION THE SITUATION IN ZIMBABWE AND SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THIS COUNTRY TO FIND A JUST AND FAIR SOLUTION TO THE LAND PROBLEM WHICH WAS INHERITED FROM THE COLONIAL PERIOD. IN THIS CONTEXT, WE SHARE THE POSITION EXPRESSED BY SADC AND THE NON‑ALIGNED MOVEMENT ON THE LAND REFORM IN ZIMBABWE.

IN THE MIDDLE EAST, THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE CONSTITUTES THE FUNDAMENTAL CAUSE OF CONFLICT IN THE REGION. ANGOLA REAFFIRMS ITS SUPPORT FOR THE RIGHT OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE TO SE LF‑DETERMI NATION. THE RESOLUTION OF THESE CONFLICT MUST ENCOMPASS A POLITICAL COMPROMISE BETWEEN THE PARTIES INVOLVED AND THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF RELEVANT UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS AND OTHER UNDERSTANDINGS REACHED.

LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, THE PEOPLE OF EAST TIMOR FINALLY SUCCEEDED IN EXERCISING THEIR RIGHT TO SELF‑DETERM I NATION. ANGOLA FEELS PLEASED AND COMPENSATED BY THIS HISTORIC ACCOMPLISHMENT SINCE IT WAS ONE OF THE COUNTRIES THAT FOUGHT IN THE UNITED NATIONS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL FORA THE RIGHT OF THE TIMORESE PEOPLE TO FREELY CHOOSE THEIR OWN DESTINY.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE UNITED NATIONS IN PARTICULAR, WHICH HAS UNDER ITS RESPONSIBILITY THE MANAGEMENT OF THE TRANSITION PERIOD, CANNOT PERMIT THE CURRENT CLIMATE OF VIOLENCE, PROVOKED BY THE MILITIAS WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF IMPEDING THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE TERRITORY, TO IMPOSE ITSELF OVER THE WILL OF A PEOPLE THAT HAS ALREADY SUFFERED FOR DECADES THE SCOURGE OF COLONIALISM AND FOREIGN DOMINATION.

ANGOLA STRONGLY CONDEMNS THESE ACTS OF VIOLENCE THAT HAVE RESULTED IN GREAT LOSS OF LIFE, DESTRUCTION AND CHAOS. ANGOLA APPEALS TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO TAKE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO ENSURE ITS IMMEDIATE CESSATION.

MR. PRESIDENT,

EXCELLENCIES,

IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE WORLD ECONOMY HAS REGISTERED A CLEAR RECOVERY SINCE THE CRISIS THAT SHOOK ASIA. THE INDUSTRIAL ECONOMIES AND THE SO‑CALLED EMERGING MARKETS ARE BECOMING STRONGER AND ACHIEVING CONSIDERABLE RATES OF GROWTH.

HOWEVER, THE PRESENT WORLD ECONOMIC ORDER CONTINUES TO BE MARKED BY SHARP DISTORTIONS BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH. WHILE THE NORTH ENJOYS A PROSPERITY WITHOUT PRECEDENT, THE SOUTH CONTINUES TO SUFFER POVERTY AND SOCIAL INJUSTICE.

CONTRIBUTING TO THESE ILLS ARE RESTRICTIVE ECONOMIC MEASURES IMPOSED UNILATERALLY. THE EMBARGO IMPOSED AGAINST CUBA IS AN EXAMPLE WHOSE PRINCIPAL VICTIMS ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE STRATA OF ITS POPULATION.

THE INTERNATIONAL GOAL OF REDUCING BY ONE HALF, BY THE YEAR 2015, THE PERCENTAGE OF THE WORLD POPULATION LIVING IN EXTREME POVERTY WILL REQUIRE STRONG EFFORTS, ABOVE ALL BY THE WEALTHIEST COUNTRIES AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. IN PARTICULAR, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO RELIEVE THE BURDEN OF EXTERNAL DEBT, WHOSE SERVICE PAYMENTS ALONE ABSORB A LARGE PART OF THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

AT THE SAME TIME, STEPS WILL BE NECESSARY TO ATTENUATE THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF GLOBALIZATION. DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT STRENGTHENED THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY IN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS, GLOBALIZATION HAS BENEFITED WEALTHY COUNTRIES MORE THAN UNDERDEVELOPED COUNTRIES.

THE PROGRAMS OF STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT UNDERWAY IN MANY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES SHOULD BEAR IN MIND THE REAL NECESSITIES AND SPECIFICS, BECAUSE MANY OF THE MEASURES IMPOSED BY INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS HAVE INTRODUCED SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES, ABOVE ALL THOSE RELATED TO SOCIAL NATURE.

TO COMPLETE MY REMARKS, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL FOR THE NEED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE ECONOMIC SITUATION OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT. THIS SHOULD BE DONE IN SUCH A WAY AS TO FACILITATE ITS INTEGRATION IN THE WORLD MARKET, PARTICULARLY THROUGH THE TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY AND INCREASING PRODUCTIVE INVESTMENT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.