President Rawlings in Algiers for OAU summit

President Jerry John Rawlings is in Algiers, Algeria; to attend the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of OAU Heads of State scheduled to open on July 12.

Mr. Joseph Laryea, deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs told newsmen at the airport that the three-day summit, which is the last in the millennium, was of crucial importance, as it is hoped to prepare the way to launch an economically integrated Africa devoid of conflicts.

He said the Assembly was preceded by the 9th Session of the Committee of Ambassadors and other Plenipotentiaries from July six to 7, and the 70th Session of the Council of Ministers from 8-10. The deputy Minister said the summit would examine the OAU Secretary-General's report on the conflict situation in Africa, the restructuring of the administrative, financial and economic matters of the organization, and issues on gender and HIV/AIDS in Africa.

?The session will deliberate on how to combat terrorism and desertification, the development of Africa's marine environment, as well as the West African States' 3-year moratorium on the exportation, importation and manufacture of small arms and light weapons". Mr. Laryea said the Heads of State would discuss the causes of the present limitations to the collective, sustained and effective African action on protracted conflicts on the continent.

He said they would also take a critical look at the impact of globalization and liberalization of international trade on Africa, and how best to mitigate its negative effects. "They will also establish an advisory panel of experts to support Africa's diplomatic representation at the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) European Union, and World Trade Organization negotiations.

"Most member states will be asked to ratify and accede to the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community (AEC) and also co-ordinate and harmonize the activities of regional groupings like ECOWAS, which serve as a foundation block for the AEC Treaty.