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The Secretary-General Message to the Solemn THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE TO THE SOLEMN MEETING ON THE THIRTY-EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY (To be read on his behalf by Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, Under-Secretary- General' and Special Adviser on Africa) New York, 24 May 2001 I send my congratulations and best wishes to the Organisation of African Unity, which for 38 years has been the voice of Africa in the concert of nations, and has helped Africa to play its part on the international stage. More than that, the OAU has provided African states with a clear goal and a collective vision. In the years since 1963 steady progress has been made in forging closer links between the peoples of Africa - at regional and sub-regional levels - and in strengthening co-operation among them. Just as we remember with gratitude the OAU's role as a rally ing-point during the liberation struggle, so today we applaud its efforts to mobilise the collective will of the continent against mankind's ancient enemies - war, want, and disease - even when they take on new and hideous forms such as HIV/AIDS. Just last month, we saw a clear illustration of the OAU's continuing relevance in the successful convening and outcome of the Abuja summit on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases. Today, as Africa takes on the challenges and seizes the opportunities of globalisation, we see the OAU providing once again an indispensable forum and structure where its member states can consult and plan how best to further their shared interests. We also see African leaders planning to transform the OAU into a deeper "African Union" - a bold endeavour which deserves the fullest support from the international community. Let me conclude by expressing my thanks and appreciation to my brother Salim Ahmed Salim for the sterling work he has done, and continues to do, at the helm of the OAU - and especially for his support in strengthening UN-OAU co-operation. As the world increasingly comes to recognise the potential of regional organisations to achieve peace and prosperity for their members, I am confident that this co-operation will grow from strength to strength. ROUTING SLIP FICHE DE TRANSMISSION •TO: A- Mr. Edward Mortimer FROM: J.E. Sutterlin DoRWlC ^°* ~~ ^° ^e Bureau ion Poste i3OU tLi\. §2Sti - ^May2001 FOR ACTION POUR SUITE A DONNER FOR APPROVAL POUR APPROBATION FOR SIGNATURE POUR SIGNATURE FOR COMMENTS POUR OBSERVATIONS MAY WE DISCUSS? POURRIONS-NOUS EN PARLER ? YOUR ATTENTION VOTRE ATTENTION AS DISCUSSED COMME CONVENU AS REQUESTED SUITE A VOTRE DEMANDS NOTE AND RETURN NOTER ET RETOURNER FOR INFORMATION POUR INFORMATION Please find attached the invitation for the Secretary-General to participate in the Africa Day ceremony on Thursday, 24 May. Mr. Gambari has agreed to represent the Secretary-General at this event. Mr. Gambari has also suggested that Mr. Hayford prepare remarks, in consultation with you, which he could review. Thank you. COM.6 (2-78) UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES POSTAL ADPRESS AORESSE POSTAUE: UNITED NATIONS. N.Y. IOOIT EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL CABINET QU SECRETAIRE GENERAL REFERENCE! 21 May 2001 Excellencies, I have the honour to refer to your letter of 18 May, addressed to the Secretary-General, inviting him to participate in a Solemn Meeting commemorating Africa Day at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, 24 May 2001 in the Trusteeship Council Chamber. As much as the Secretary-General would have liked to attend this commemorative event, I regret to inform you that he will be away from New York on official travel on that day, and will therefore be unable to participate. The Secretary-General has asked me to convey his best wishes for a successful ceremony, and for an Africa Day marked by peace and hope for the peoples and nations of the African continent. Please accept, Excellencies, the assurances of my highest consideration. Elisabeth Lindenmayer Executive Assistant to the Secretary-General His Excellency Mr. Martin Andjaba Permanent Representative of Namibia to the United Nations Chairman of the African Group His Excellency Mr. Amadou Kebe Permanent Observe of the Organization for African Unity to the United Nations New York MRY-1B-2001 17=49 FFRICfiN MISSION TO THE UN 212 3196509 P.01/02 MISSION PERMANENT^ D'OfeSERVATION PERMANENT OBSERVER MISSION OF THE DE L'ORGANTSATION DE L'UNTTiS AFRICAINE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY TO AUPR&S DBS NATIONS UNIES THE UNITED NATIONS 346 EAST 50TH STREET, NEW YORK, N. Y. 10022 TELEPHONE (212) 319-5490 TELEX 425084 ORCA Ul UL8JUJLK -1* TELEFAX (212) 319-7135 . I ;' I Dl- KECJITWEOIFHC NY/OATJ/ADM18/273/01 May 18,2001 Mr. Secretary-General, We have the honour to inform you that the^rganizatipr^jofAfiican Unity will be commemorating Africa Day, the Thirty-eighth Anniversary of the OAU, In that connection, on behalf of the African Group at the United Nations and the OAU Permanent Observer Mission, we have the pleasure_ofm\^^ youto^attend a Solemn Meeting scheduled for Thursday, May ^, 200^fror^l O^^a.rn^to J :00jp.m. in"tlie"f rusteeship Chamber at the United Nations. '""""'""' "" -.....-.. ~ ,- -„_.,. -_._._™~,m _._ Please accept, Mr. Secretary-General, the assurances of our highest consideration. Martin Andjabj Amadou Kebe Ambassador Ambassador Permanent Representative of Permanent Observer Namibia to the United Nations of the OAU to the UN Chairman of the African Group Mr. Kofi Annan Secretary General United Nations New York, NY 10017 18/05 '01 FRI 17:42 [TX/RX NO 9954] 1^001 MfiY-lS-2001 17=49 PFRICflN MISSION TO THE UN 212 3196509 P.02/02 COMMEMORATION OF THE AFRICA DAY 24™ MAY 2001 TRUSTEESHIP CHAMBER 10;OOA.M. PROGRAMME 1 Opening by the Chairman of the month 2 Message of the OAU Current Chairman 3 Statement by the President of the General Assembly 4 Statement by the Secretary General of the UN 5 Statements by the Representatives of Regional Groups: Arab Group Asian Group Eastern European Group Latin America and Caribbean Group Western European and other Group 6 Statement by the Chairman of the month 7 Statement by the OAU Permanent Observer TOTHL P.02 18/05 '01 FRI 17:42 [TX/RX NO 9954] ill 002.
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