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Canada & the UN > Newton Bowles Reports
Africa Burkina Faso (President Blaise Campaoré) As chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), he reports that, in June 1998, OAU reaffirmed their commitment to the prevention, management and reduction of conflicts. OAU needs U.N. help to strengthen its "mechanism" to deal with conflict. Africa is improving its management of public affairs. No peace, no development. Nigeria (Head of State Abdul Salami Abubakar) Affirms Nigeria's role in restoring democracies in West Africa. Helping OAU's conflict prevention. "A silent but peaceful revolution is taking place in Nigeria. Our people are determined that sustainable democratic governance is established in the country." Ghana (President Jerry Rawlings) Speaking to the G.A. President: "Thank you very much, sir. But I prefer to be called Flight Lieutenant, not Mr." Human rights. Stresses women and children. Industrialized countries impose on others conditions that they don't apply to themselves. Security Council's "selectivity" has forced Ghana to participate in conflict resolution in West Africa. Nevertheless, Ghana is long-time active in U.N. Peacekeeping. Supports International Criminal Court. Benin "... the culture of violence and war... must be replaced by the culture of peace." "There can be no peace in the world if a small portion of humanity can surf the internet and explore interstellar space while others flounder in quagmire, seeking a mere pittance or safe shelter in their flight from wars whose root cause is a desire to retain power-- the power to control land, gold, oil, diamonds and other natural resources solely for the benefit of arms dealers. This apocalyptic picture is unfortunately typical of the sad situation in Africa." Benin thinks all are entitled to social minimum (food, shelter, education). Central African Republic Welcomes this first U.N. pro-active intervention in Africa. Sudan Rebels in the South rejected offer of cease-fire. U.S. missiles destroyed our civilian pharmaceutical factory. Why does U.S. oppose a fact-finding mission? Uganda Conflict comes not from ethnic tensions but poor leadership and poverty. Prevention as proposed by the Secretary-General is the way to go. The so-called Lords Resistance Army in the north-west of Uganda, abducting
children amid atrocities, is certainly getting support from the outside. |
