From: barnhart@gagme.chi.il.us (Mr Aaron Barnhart)
Subject: IPS: AFRICA: In all of Europe's turmoil, what about us?
Originator: barnhart@gagme
Organization: Evanston, Illinois
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 01:24:11 GMT

Copyright Inter Press Service 1992, all rights reserved.  Permission to re-
print within 7 days of original date only with permission from 'newsdesk'.

Title: AFRICA: In all of Europe's turmoil, what about us?


an inter press service feature

by barbara borst

paris, sep 24 (ips) -- as the 12 members of the european community
(ec) pause to reflect on their process of unification, african
leaders are pondering their own fate in a unified europe.

the slim margin of approval given by the french public in the
referendum for the maastricht treaty, coupled with the devaluation
of the british pound and italian lira, has led to widespread
debate about the future of european political and monetary union,
leading african countries to ask: what about us?

and while for some african states, the prospects of a ratified
treaty are not too daunting, others fear that a unified europe
would be a ''fortress europe''.

but world bank official patrice dufour says that african
countries need not be overly worried. he says a european single
market, due to come into effect on january 1, 1993, will make it
easier for african exporters to access the ec market.

he has however acknowledged that there could be repercussions for
african producers in the event that europe develops substitutes
for agricultural exports from africa. he also warned of the
potential impact on african producers should ec members dump beef,
used clothing and other goods on the african market.

what africa needs to do, according to dufour is to become more
competitive -- a sentiment shared by kenya's ambassador to
brussels, francis muthaura.

''we wish their unity well,'' said muthaura. ''if it enhances
international peace and stability, it is to our advantage.''
muthaura believes a stronger europe would be better able to tackle
the problems of somalia for example.

he said a ''richer europe'' would be particularly better for his
country which exports 40 percent of its products to the major
european capitals, and which also benefits from a large share of
investment and development aid from the european community (ec).

muthaura said he is also satisfied that europe would continue to
honour its commitments to the african, caribbean and pacific (acp)
states under the lome convention -- a special preferences trade
agreement between the acp and the ec.

what african countries will have to do, he said, is to be more
environmental and health conscious to meet european standards, and
so maintain their existing markets. (more/ips)

africa: in all of europe's turmoil, what about us?(2-e)

africa: in (2)

a west african diplomat who declined being named, is however not
as hopeful. ''we are afraid that europe will turn inward and
become a fortress,'' he said.

on the other hand, a liberalisation of the market could also work
against african exporters, he cautioned, saying that the african
products would not be able to compete. ''we are for
liberalisation, but we need protection. otherwise the big will eat
the small, and we will disappear.''

the north african states are particularly worried about their
agricultural industry and the future of their olive oil exports in
the europeam single market, which is scheduled to come into effect
on january 1, 1993.

north african states are not included in the lome convention, but
they have negotiated an agreement whereby their manufactured goods
are exempt from any trade barriers. complex rules for the sale of
agricultural goods have also been worked out. there is also
european-north african dialogue on immigration, debt, development
and other common issues of the region.

selim hammani, commercial counsellor at the tunisian embassy in
paris, is however advising his government to sharpen up its
operations in the event that europe does unite.

''southern europeans consider the mediterranean basin as an
integral part of europe,'' hammani said. ''if europe closes, there
will be enormous repercussions for us.'' tunisia conducts 75
percent of its exterior commerce with ec members.

a world bank report states that few aspects of the european
single market are likely to impact negatively on africa because it
is focused on harmonising european insurance regulations.

some african horticulturists from kenya and lesotho for example,
may face tougher competition as ec borders disappear, the report
states, but most african products don't compete with those made in
europe, it goes on.

but the report does acknowledge that investment diversion from
africa is a real possibility because of instability in the region.
''domestic action by (african) governments could, however,
counteract such trends by making the foreign investment climate in
their countries,'' the report says.

with regional integration in africa touted by international
institutions as a solution for economic difficulties, the ec model
is one being closely looked at.

moncef hajeri, tunisia's economic counsellor in paris, said that
at present, north africans are becoming more united -- not only
for the regional benefits, but to strengthen its bargaining
position with the ec.

''unified europe is ineluctable,'' hammani said. ''it's the model
for all regional structures.'' (end/ips/ip/bb/cpg/92)