DATE=1/31/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N AFRICA MONTH WIND-UP (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258648
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A U-S-led month-long focus on the problems of
Africa ended today (Monday) in the United Nations
Security Council, with U-S Ambassador Richard
Holbrooke emphasizing there must be follow-up on all
the issues that were raised. V-O-A Correspondent Breck
Ardery reports from the United Nations.
TEXT: Ambassador Holbrooke ended his month as Security
Council President by saying his decision to make
January the "month of Africa" could be a turning point
for the United Nations. He said the focus on Africa
helped refute the belief that the international
community has "one set of rules for Europe and Asia
and another for Africa."
Mr. Holbrooke said he was especially pleased that the
Council focused on the problems of African refugees
and the disease AIDS, topics that are not usually
brought to the Council.
Regarding armed conflicts in Africa, Mr. Holbrooke
said the Council debates on Angola, Burundi, and
Congo-Kinshasa stressed how important peace is to
Africa's future. He indicated the Security Council is
moving toward the eventual authorization of a major
peacekeeping mission in Congo. But Mr. Holbrooke
emphasized that the "month of Africa" will not mean
much unless there is sustained follow-up.
/// FIRST HOLBROOKE ACT ///
Peace in the Congo, like everything else we have
discussed this month, requires our sustained and
steadfast commitment. The coming days will
answer the question everyone is asking about
follow-up, whether the U-N can be more than what
its critics often call a "talk show."
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Holbrooke said the month of January also marked a
renewal of the United States commitment to the United
Nations.
/// SECOND HOLBROOKE ACT ///
At the close of our month as Security Council
President, I am happy to say that, at the United
Nations, America is back. The United States
begins the 21st century with renewed hopes for
the U-N and with renewed commitment to make this
vital organization work better.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Holbrooke cited the appearances by Secretary of
State Madeleine Albright and Vice President Al Gore at
the United Nations as indicators of American support.
He said it is also significant that U-S Senator Jesse
Helms, often a harsh critic of the United Nations,
came to meet with members of the Security Council. Mr.
Holbrooke said that, despite its flaws, the United
Nations is an indispensable organization.(Signed)
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/gm
31-Jan-2000 17:16 PM EDT (31-Jan-2000 2216 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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