Chinese President Draws World Attention to African ProblemsChinese President Jiang Zemin said on Thursday that there will be no world peace and prosperity to speak of without African stability and development.Speaking at the Summit Meeting of the Security Council of the United Nations held at the world body's headquarters, Jiang said that the current poor and backward situation of Africa was due to long-time competition and plundering of old colonialism. The Security Council summit is part of the U.N. Millennium Summit Meeting being held here from September 6 to 8. Jiang said that the United Nations and its Security Council should pay greater attention to Africa, an important member of the world community, and increase input into that continent. He said that incessant turmoil and raging wars in many African countries and regions have not only displaced innocent people and plunged them into poverty, but also hindered the social and economic development of Africa. In dealing with problems facing Africa, Jiang stressed, the United Nations and its Security Council "should fully respect the sovereignty of African countries, pay close attention to the opinions of African countries and regional organizations such as the Organization of the African Union, and take effective measures to keep African countries away from poverty and warfare and help African people onto the road to tranquility, development and rejuvenation." |
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