Many claim that this makes conflicts inevitable. I share the concern about those borders and the way they were drawn in the late 19th century. But those were the borders that the countries of Africa chose to maintain when they became independent. Once having made that decision, the leaders must figure out a way to live within those boundaries, or if they wish to change them, change them voluntarily, as has happened in the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and elsewhere, but not through wars. All of this means that we cannot give up hope.
Leadership can make a difference.
Mr. President, last January when we embarked on the month of Africa, we said it would be the year of Africa. You have set a very high standard by maintaining the attention of the Security Council on this issue. At that time, the Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe reminded us that our commitments to peace efforts, from the UN's many efforts throughout the world to our own commitments in the United States to the Mideast Peace Process, must be strong enough to survive numerous setbacks - some of them catastrophic and seemingly fatal. The Ambassador from Zimbabwe warned us that in Africa, like everywhere else, we must be prepared to accept setbacks and not let them deter us from moving ahead. I believe that one should always accept good advice, especially when it comes from such an esteemed colleague.