By Sunday Nation Correspondent
February 20, 2000
Nairobi - The huge trade imbalance between Africa and the United States should be urgently redressed, President Moi says. The President gave the example of Kenya, which he said exported to the US goods worth only $99 million, but paid $298 million for American products.. President Moi, who was addressing the National Summit on Africa in Washington DC, on Friday, especially appealed to the US to take a leading role in the campaign for the fair distribution of global wealth.
The Kenyan leader called for an end to the economic marginalisation of Africa and the rejuvenation of the continent's economies. The marginalisation of Africa, he said, would shut the continent out of the world economic and political order. President Moi, who was delivering a keynote address at a luncheon hosted for delegates to the summit at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, said he was especially encouraged by the "personal attention President Bill Clinton has devoted to Africa."
President Moi said African countries would continue to build on the goodwill, especially if the African Growth and Opportunity Act became a reality. Speaking in his capacity as the Comesa chairman, President Moi said Africa would benefit as the legislation was meant to give them more access to the American market.
Comesa, which represented a market of more than 400 million people in 21 countries was a high potential region for investment. President Moi called for more direct investment, arguing that liberalisation, which Kenya had adopted as part of its economic reforms, had "proved costly with unemployment being prominently manifested." But he also conceded that official corruption had impeded economic growth. However, appropriate measures, including the establishment of an anti-corruption authority, had been taken to fight the menace.
The President once again called for responsible journalism, adding that inaccurate reports had discouraged foreign investment in Africa. President Moi said there was an urgent need to pay more attention to African conflicts, but cautioned that the "friends of Africa must consult with Africans themselves before any intervention is made."
He lamented the lack a central authority in Somalia, which he blamed for the influx of refugees across borders and the proliferation of illegal firearms in the region. On Sudan, President Moi said that for the 14-year conflict to be addressed properly, there should be no duplication in initiatives.
The President was accompanied by the Foreign Minister, Dr Bonaya Godana, Lands Minister Joseph Nyagah, Assistant Minister Fred Gumo, chairman of the Co- operative Bank, Mr. Hosea Kiplagat, and the Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Dr Sally Kosgei. Earlier in the morning, President Moi held separate meetings with the deputy managing director of IMF, Mr. Stanley Fischer, and Congressman Donald Payne.(PPS)
FAIR USE NOTICE: This page contains copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Global Policy Forum distributes this material without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C íŸ 107. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
