Statement on the Meeting between Presidents of USA and USSR

Dr. Salim issued a statement ahead of a meeting between President George Bush and President Mikhail Gorbachev. 

"I hope that the two Leaders win accord priority to the worsening economic situation in Africa including especially the issue of the debilitating indebtedness of the continent. Africa should be able to benefit from this improved political environment. Specifically the problem of the external debt could partly be tackled by channeling the expected huge savings arising out of disarmament to economic development of developing countries particularly in Africa where conditions of absolute poverty continue to be a disturbing phenomenon. These conditions of poverty; with their attendant negative repercussion on the welfare of our people, constitute a serious factor of instability with far reaching consequences beyond the continent."