If the Soviet Union and the United States have not experienced direct military confrontations, on the other hand, they supported, armed and trained Africans, to fight other Africans. |
In brief, Western democracy, as other political models, is not exportable to all regions of the world. |
In other words, the fundamental values (freedom, justice, equality of rights) began to be respected by France and the United States in the 1950s-1960s, after decolonization and assuring civil equality between Blacks and Whites. |
In short, we have, among African countries, a duty of solidarity. |
In spite of our poverty and our economic dependence, we do not have to give in, neither because we are sometimes abandoned nor because of the wish of some nations to impose their economic or political models. |
Information on the Internet must be as free as in the newspapers. |
Instead of ideological objectives of a political nature, today we are faced with ideological objectives of economic nature. |
It is important to prevent criminals capable of such inhuman behavior from taking advantage of this misery to justify their terrible acts. |
It is important to stress: Africa is also a victim of the September 11 attacks. |
It is not right to associate the fight against international terrorist networks with an imaginary crusade against Islam. |
It is up to African leaders to show their will and political courage in order to assure that this new pan-African institution becomes an efficient instrument and not a place for endless discussions. |
It would be futile to build lasting development without peace and security, |
It would be futile to build lasting development without peace and security, ... the United Nations must be enabled fully to play its role. It has to be made an effective tool to build a multilateral system that will benefit everybody. |
Let's be clear: I do not advocate the virtues of a new African diplomatic model and do not pretend to be its theoretician. |
My actions to promote peace, the mediation missions which I carried out during many conflicts, which very often occurred between brothers of the same country, are not driven by any ulterior motives or any calculations based on personal ambitions. |