HOLY SEE AT U.N.: NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT

VATICAN CITY, OCT 17, 2003 (VIS) - Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations, spoke yesterday at the plenary of the U.N.'s 58th General Assembly on Agenda Item 40a: New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), Progress in Implementation and International Support.

The archbishop affirmed that "in the present world order, the African nations seem to be among the most disadvantaged. In the face of the current marginalization of Africa, we have a duty in solidarity to maintain the commitments we have collectively made to move forward with a new pattern of solidarity and cooperation between the wealthier nations and the peoples of Africa. This requires a rapid and definitive solution to the external debt overhang of African countries."

"The sum total of African external debt is small by global standards," he underscored. "Hence, not only in terms of justice, but also of effective economic possibilities, the burden of external debt necessitates a comprehensive and expeditious solution. ... This relief process should not drag on long under the yoke of technical and bureaucratic requirements."

Archbishop Migliore noted that "for external trade to become an essential factor of African development, the international community should uphold and apply aptly the true values of trade by eliminating all types of unfair competition against African countries." In addition, he said, "Africa needs to develop a family-based diversified agrarian economy, capable of responding to multiple challenges, such as excessive urban migration, lack of food security, welfare of the family and rural communities, protection of the environment, and greater economic growth."

In concluding remarks, the nuncio affirmed that "without peace in Africa, it is impossible to think of just structures of economic and social development."

DELSS;AFRICA;...;UN; MIGLIORE;VIS;20031017;Word: 290;