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WEEKLY NEWS ISSUE of: 23-05-2001

PART #1/4 - From AFRICA to CAMEROON

* Africa. Patents focus shifts to Kenya and West Africa — A month ago, the international pharmaceutical industry was forced into a humiliating climbdown in a courtroom in South Africa. A group of 39 companies had sought to block a law passed by the South African parliament in 1997, which would enable the legal importation of patented medicines from countries where they are sold more cheaply by the same manufacturer. The industry had wildly underestimated the international reaction to this case, and when it became clear that it was facing a public relations catastrophe, it dropped the case unconditionally, setting an important international precedent for other developing countries. The last twelve months have seen an incredible awakening of global public awareness about the health problems of the poor in the developing world and their lack of access to essential medicines. A year ago, then chief executive of GlaxoWellcome, Sir Richard Sykes, told a radio reporter that, in all honesty, nobody had really raised the issue of high drug prices in the developing world. The main public concerns that drugs companies had to deal with were related to animal testing. All that has changed. It was clear that access issues had climbed to the top of the international agenda when the G8 leaders pledged last July in Okinawa to find global solutions to the problems of lack of effective and affordable medicines for TB, Aids and malaria. Initiatives are coming in thick and fast from all sides — from industry, governments and activists — particularly on the subject of drugs to treat Aids. The five biggest drugs companies initially tried to present a united front by launching an initiative with UNAIDS, the joint programme of the UN, World Health Organisation and World Bank, which would reduce the price of triple combination therapy in developing countries to around $1,000 per patient per year. But this offer — which was of little help to the one fifth of the world’s population who earn less than $1 a day — has since been undercut by generic producers such as the Indian company Cipla, which has started selling triple therapy drugs to the governments of Cameroon and Nigeria at the cost of $350 per patient per year. (Financial Times, UK, 21 May 2001)

* Afrique. Clôture de la 3e conférence sur les PMA: déception — Le 20 mai, le troisième sommet des Nations unies sur les pays les moins avancés (PMA), ouvert avec faste sept jours plus tôt, s’est clôturé sur une déclaration qui ne bouleversera pas l’ordre du monde. Sans grande décision concrète, ces conclusions recèlent un catalogue d’engagements classiques pour tenter de remédier à la marginalisation de ces 49 pays les plus pauvres de la planète (dont 33 en Afrique): accroître l’aide au développement, renforcer les capacités productives afin d’accélérer la croissance, le revenu, la création d’emplois, et d’aider les PMA à prendre une plus large place dans le commerce mondial. Les représentants de quelques centaines d’ONG ont fait part d’une grande déception. Tout au plus se félicitent-elles de la décision prise par les pays riches de délier l’aide accordée, autrement dit de ne pas obliger le pays bénéficiaire à affecter cette aide à des achats dans le pays donateur. Aucune avancée significative n’a été enregistrée quant à la réduction de la dette. (Le Soir, Belgique, 21 mai 2001)

* Africa. Conference of Least Developed Countries — «A world society which leaves so many of its citizens on the margins of progress has no title to call itself global.» This was the verdict voiced by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Holy See Permanent Observer to the UN Offices and Specialised Institutions in Geneva, in his address on May 16, to the third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed countries, held in Brussels 14-20 May. «In the past — Archbishop Martin told FIDES in a conversation on the outcome of the Conference — the solution to the tragedy of underdevelopment was seen only as a unilateral flow of aid from donor countries to the third world. In Brussels this time we saw a common commitment to work together to eliminate the scandal of the exclusion of nations and individuals from the circuit of development. Rich countries, international institutions and poor countries all agree: our task is to make solidarity a reality. The Conference had to admit the sad fact that the number of least developed countries has actually increased from 25 to 49.» He told the Conference, that this shows that in a time of such potential progress «as yet, globalisation has not brought its benefits to all.» «After a week of discussion, the Conference issued a ten point statement outlining general policies, but not actual interventions. A Conference such as this has neither operative instruments nor resources: decisions are made at the national level or by groups such as the G8», the Archbishop explained to FIDES. In the statement, the third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries reaffirms support for the principles of human dignity, equality and equity and its commitment to eliminate poverty by means of good governance and solidarity at both the national and international level. (Fides, Vatican City, 22 May 2001)

* Africa. Slavery row stalls racism conference — A dispute pitting the United States and European nations against African countries has slowed preparations for a major United Nations conference on racism. South Africa is leading an African bloc that wants the conference to label slavery «a crime against humanity» — a description which the UK, Spain and Portugal reject. The European countries and the US are also resisting African calls for some kind of reparations for the slave trade. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, — who will host the anti-racism conference in the South African city of Durban later this year — urged delegates to «look for common ground» at the final meeting to prepare for the conference. «We can take the narrow view and argue every detail right up to Durban,» she said on 21 May. (BBC News, UK, 22 May 2001)

* Afrique/USA. Voyage de Colin Powell — Le chef de la diplomatie américaine Colin Powell entamera le 22 mai une tournée africaine de six jours. Il se rendra au Mali, en Afrique du Sud, au Kenya et en Ouganda. Ce voyage sera essentiellement consacré aux questions de sécurité. Mais M. Powell devrait également aborder le thème des relations commerciales. Le président américain Bush a invité la semaine dernière les dirigeants de 35 pays africains à Washington, les 4 et 5 octobre, pour un forum économique et commercial. (AP, 21 mai 2001)

* Africa. Powell trip to Africa — 22 May: US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, embarks on a six-day tour of four African countries. His trip will focus on the AIDS epidemic and democratic and economic reform. Aides said he will look at trouble spots and try to access peacekeeping and humanitarian aid efforts. Powell will visit Mali, South Africa, Kenya and Uganda. He will also visit Europe at the end of his trip. 23 May: A busy schedule awaits Powell when he arrives in Mali, today. He is scheduled to hold discussions with President Konare and to visit a malaria research institute created with the assistance of the American National Health Institute. (ANB-BIAS, Brussels, 23 May 2001)

* Algeria. France must investigate alleged was crimes — The French government should launch an official investigation into allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity by French forces in Algeria, Human Rights Watch said on 17 May. The inquiry should examine whether the French government ordered or tolerated the use of torture and summary executions against supporters of Algerian independence in the mid-1950s, as recently alleged by General Paul Aussaresses, and lead to prosecution of those considered responsible, as such crimes are not barred by a statute of limitations. The government should also initiate criminal proceedings against General Aussaresses. (Human Rights Watch, 16 May 2001)

* Algérie. Peines pour les délits de presse — Dans une lettre adressée au président Bouteflika, Reporters sans frontières a déploré l’adoption par l’Assemblée générale du projet d’amendement du Code pénal qui sanctionne désormais les délits de presse par de lourdes amendes et des peines allant de deux mois à un an de prison. “Ces nouvelles dispositions sont un net recul pour la liberté de presse dans votre pays”, a souligné RSF, “nous vous demandons d’user de toute votre influence afin que le Conseil de la nation (le sénat) n’adopte pas ce projet d’amendement du Code pénal”. Le projet prévoit désormais des peines de 2 à 12 mois de prison et des amendes variant de 50.000 à 250.000 dinars contre toute atteinte au président de la République en termes contenant l’injure, l’insulte ou la diffamation (par écrit ou dessin...). Ces sanctions sont également applicables pour ces délits commis à l’encontre du Parlement ou de l’une des deux Chambres, de l’armée et de toute autre institution publique ou corps constitué. (RSF, Paris, 22 mai 2001)

* Algeria. Trappist remembers monks murdered in Algeria, five years ago — The discovery of the bodies of seven Trappist monks in Algeria on May 21, 1996, sent shock waves through the country and the Muslim community in the region. The seven, of the Monastery of Our Lady of the Atlas in Thibirine, had been kidnapped two months earlier by a Muslim terrorist group. Other Catholics —men and women religious, and even a bishop — had been killed previously in the country, and even in the same diocese. But the case of the community of Tibhirine, which had been a symbol of the interreligious dialogue, overwhelmed the country. To recall the tragedy, Vatican Radio spoke with Father Armand Vielleux, who was the Trappist procurator general at the time. Q: What happened? Father Vielleux: It was a very intense and difficult period. A period of prayer, because we were almost certain, at least at the beginning, that our brothers were still alive. We imagined what they were going through, and wanted to live it with them in prayer. Q: On several occasions you have said that it is not about individual witnessing, but the sacrifice of a whole community. Father Vielleux: Yes, because it was a very united community. They made all decisions by common consent. They made the decision, in community, to remain faithful to their vocation and to the people with whom they lived. Q: What remains of the Tibhirine community? Father Vielleux: Now, there is nothing in Tibhirine. The monastery is there, but it is not possible to live in it. We do not have the government’s permission, as it believes the region is still too dangerous. Because of this, at present, part of the Tibhirine community is in Morocco. A group of them hoped to return to Tibhirine this year, but it is not possible: There is too much violence in the Medea region. Q: Given that one can pray anywhere, and lead a contemplative life in any place, why is it necessary to go to live it in such a dangerous place? Father Vielleux: The monks of Tibhirine had established strong ties with the country, with the local people, with the Muslims, with the Christians of the area. For them, to be faithful at that time of difficulty was an absolute imperative. Now, the Trappists want to return in response to a call from the people. The Muslim people are very close to that monastery, they have looked after it, guarded it, and desire the presence of the monks. This is due to fidelity to a communion that was established over many years between the Muslim people and a community of Christian prayer. (Zenit, Italy, 22 May 2001)

* Algeria. Berbers demonstrate — About half a million Berbers demonstrated peacefully in eastern Algeria in protest at the violence used by the authorities to put down a week of clashes that left dozens dead this month. The demonstration, organised by traditional Berber leaders rather than political organisations, was the largest expression of anger against the military-backed regime of President Bouteflika, in ten years. The demonstrators, many of them in black, gathered in the Berber city of Tizi Ouzou and called for the removal of paramilitary gendarmes from Kabylia, the Berber province of eastern Algeria. (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 22 May 2001)

* Algérie. La Kabylie ne désarme pas — Le 18 mai, une délégation de parlementaires européens a entamé une visite de cinq jours à Alger, au lendemain de l’adoption par le Parlement à Strasbourg d’une résolution condamnant la violente répression des émeutes en Kabylie en avril et début mai. Le 19 mai, la ville de Bejaïa a été paralysée par une grève générale et une manifestation de 10.000 personnes en soutien des victimes des émeutes. Le dimanche 20 mai, 20.000 personnes ont manifesté à Tizi Ouzou à l’appel des étudiants de l’université Mouloud-Mammeri. Dans l’après-midi, des émeutes ont repris dans la région de Bejaïa. Les plus violents affrontements se sont déroulés à Seddouk. Par ailleurs, des comités de village de la Grande Kabylie ont appelé à une “marche noire”, le lundi 21 mai, à Tizi Ouzou. Au cours de la marche, qui sera suivie d’une grève, les manifestants ont été appelés à porter un brassard noir pour marquer le deuil des dizaines de jeunes tués lors des affrontements avec les forces de sécurité. Les comités appellent aussi au boycottage des commissions d’enquête mises en place par le président Bouteflika et le Parlement. Ce 21 mai, une foule estimée à près de 500.000 personnes a manifesté dans les rues de Tizi Ouzou, la plus importante manifestation jamais connue en Kabylie. “C’est une marée humaine, un déferlement sans fin, du jamais vu”, indiquaient les habitants. La manifestation s’est déroulée dans le calme. Le lendemain, 22 mai, des affrontements sporadiques ont opposé des jeunes manifestants aux forces de sécurité dans les régions de Tizi Ouzou et de Bejaïa. (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 23 mai 2001)

* Angola. Unita attack east of Luanda — Angolan rebels attacked and held a town just 200 km east of Luanda for more than a day. Reports from aid workers indicate that the attack took place about 0200 GMT on 21 May in the town of Golungo Alto in Cuanza Norte province. A Unita statement claimed that its forces had captured the town. Aid workers counted more than 700 people fled the town and arrived in the provincial capital Ndalatando, which is about 60 km from Golungo Alto. Independent reports indicate that Unita soldiers did indeed occupy the town for more than 24 hours, before leaving around 0900 GMT on 22 May. The Angolan Armed Forces have now once again taken control of the town. (BBC News, UK, 22 May 2001)

* Burundi. Otages libérés — Les six employés de l’ONG hollando-burundaise Memisa-Coped, enlevés le 11 mai par les rebelles du FDD, ont été libérés à l’issue de longues tractations. Le directeur de l’organisation a tenu une conférence de presse, le 17 mai à Bujumbura, où il a nié avoir payé une rançon. Selon lui, les FDD n’ont pris que les médicaments qui se trouvaient à bord des véhicules lors de l’enlèvement. (D’après IRIN, 18 mai 2001)

* Burundi. Victimes de la guerre — Dans son rapport annuel publié le 17 mai, la Ligue burundaise des droits de l’homme Iteka accuse les forces de l’ordre et de sécurité ainsi que les deux mouvements de rébellion (FDD et FNL) d’avoir tué plus de 1.200 civils en 2000. “Plus de 1.200 civils ont été victimes de la guerre, dont la mort de plus de 700 est attribuée aux factions armées et plus de 400 aux forces armées régulières”, selon les termes du rapport. Plus de 50 cas d’attaques de la rébellion sur des objectifs civils “essentiellement contre des maisons d’habitation, sites de déplacés, véhicules, écoles, centres de santé” sont par ailleurs révélés. - D’autre part, une commission technique et juridique chargée de préparer et de rédiger la Constitution qui devra régir le Burundi pendant la période de transition a été mise en place, le 17 mai, par le premier vice-président M. Banvuginyunvira. Le travail de cette commission devra être présenté au conseil des ministres pour approbation, avant d’être étudié par le Parlement; il sera ensuite passé à la Commission d’application des accords de paix. (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 18 mai 2001)

* Burundi. Le FDD disposé à suspendre les hostilités — Les groupes rebelles des FDD se disent disposés à suspendre les hostilités à condition que soit adopté un agenda de négociations avec le gouvernement. Ces déclarations cadrent avec la tournée dans les Grands Lacs de la mission du Conseil de sécurité de l’Onu. Le gouvernement souhaite que ces propos soient traduits sans délai en réalité. Pour sa part, il réaffirme son engagement à négocier avec tous les groupes dans l’optique du retour à la paix. Cette déclaration survient au moment où ont été rendues publiques les conclusions du conseil des ministres européens des Affaires étrangères à Bruxelles, les 14 et 15 mai, relatives au Burundi, appelant les groupes armés FDD et FNL à cesser les hostilités immédiatemnt. Pour le FNL par contre, l’arrêt des hostilités n’est pas possible dans l’immédiat, car il faut d’abord “trouver une solution aux causes” de ces hostilités. (Agence Azania, Burundi, 21 mai 2001)

* Cameroun. Missionnaire assassiné — L’agence Fides annonce l’assassinat d’un missionnaire polonais, Henryk Denjneka, 51 ans, de la congrégation des Oblats de Marie immaculée (OMI). Curé d’une petite paroisse àKarna-Mbe, dans le diocèse de Ngauoundéré (nord du Cameroun), il a été abattu d’un coup de fusil, le soir du 17 mai, alors qu’il se trouvait à la porte de sa mission. On ne connaît toujours pas les raisons de cet assassinat. Il n’y a aucune trace de vol ou de violences. Le père ne s’occupait pas de politique et se consacrait totalement à son travail pastoral, note Fides. (D’après Fides, Vatican, 21 mai 2001)