Statement at the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government

"As our countries struggle internally, we realize that ultimately they cannot make meaningful progress unless that struggle is tied-in with the external aspects of trade and international economic cooperation. Africa exists and relates with the rest of the world within a defined international context. It is a context in which competition is the philosophy and the strong determine the rules. Our challenge is to be able to compete in this international environment and be strong enough to take effective part in the setting of those rules." - Dr. Salim, June 2, 1997