Abstract
Well-informed observers have dwelled on explanations of why the economic recovery has been much more rapid in the United States and the Pacific Rim countries than in the rest of the world. They state, moreover, that it was not until a particular region was faced with serious financial difficulties that the international community began to express concern and that impassioned discussions of the foreign debt problem took place. If I am making a point of reminding you of these facts today, it is to bring home to you that we, as Africans, are aware of the realities of the world today. For this reason, when we are invited to participate in international conferences, we use the opportunity to inform the world that we are fully aware of the interests that condition international relations and the reality of the situation in the world today. For Africa, however, the situation is today quite simply a matter of survival. We have indicated our desire to exchange viewpoints with officials of the Fund in order to make them aware of our real problems; but we also, and perhaps above all, wished through the Fund staff to draw the attention of the entire international community to our situation.
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