DATE=10/7/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N / AFRICA REFUGEES (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254759
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Organization of African Unity is appealing
to the international community to pay more attention
to the plight of millions of refugees in Africa. Lisa
Schlein in Geneva reports O-A-U officials say refugees
in Africa feel like forgotten people.
TEXT: O-A-U Deputy Secretary-General Said Djinnit
says Africa's refugees are of little interest to the
international community and are being sidelined when
it comes to international aid. He says the focus of
international attention has shifted from Africa to the
crises of Kosovo and East Timor.
Mr. Djinnit -- who is in Geneva for the U-N refugee
conference -- says Africans sympathize with all
refugees and displaced people around the world,
including those in Kosovo and East Timor. But, he
says one tragedy should not displace the needs of
another tragedy.
/// DJINNIT ACT ONE - IN FRENCH - FADE UNDER ///
Mr. Djinnit says the amount of money spent on each
refugee in Africa is much lower than for refugees in
the rest of the world. He says African refugees
attract less attention and less money than refugees
elsewhere.
The U-N refugee agency says Africa has about 30
percent of the world's refugee population -- with
about seven million refugees and 20 million displaced
people.
The refugee agency says donors have pledged only 30
percent of the 300-million dollars it requested for
humanitarian aid in Africa this year.
/// REST OPT ///
Mr. Djinnit says Africa is working hard to resolve its
many conflicts. He says the O-A-U has helped broker
peace agreements in Sierra Leone and Congo-Kinshasa.
But he says putting these plans into effect costs a
lot of money- money which Africa does not have.
/// DJINNIT ACT TWO - IN FRENCH - FADE UNDER ///
Mr. Djinnit says he is disappointed with the lack of
rapid reaction from the international community in
helping Africa resolve its conflicts. He says peace
agreements must be implemented immediately.
The O-A-U official says that the peace accord worked
out between the Congo-Kinshasa government and the
rebels is fragile, with skirmishes already breaking
out. And, he warns the longer the international
community waits to give its support, the greater the
risk that the accord could slip away.
(Signed)
NEB/LS/JO
07-Oct-1999 09:22 AM EDT (07-Oct-1999 1322 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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