Spotlight shifts to Africa at U.N. assembly

UNITED NATIONS -- Secretary of State Colin Powell said Africa will achieve prosperity with good governance and respect for human rights, as the spotlight turned toward the continent during the U.N. General Assembly debate Monday.

"The United States is committed to helping the people of Africa build a peaceful, prosperous and democratic future," Powell said. "Development must begin at home with the sound economic and political governance at all levels necessary to attract development capital and to use it well."

Monday's session was the first time since the annual debate opened Sept. 12 that leaders from the 190 countries turned their attention away from potential conflict in Iraq to Africa's most pressing crises, including AIDS and poverty.

Powell expressed U.S. support for the New Partnership for Africa's Development, or NEPAD, a group designed by the leaders of South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal and Algeria to energize African economies through partnerships with industrialized nations.

"With NEPAD, African leaders have accepted primary responsibility for Africa's development," Powell said.

Zimbabwe controversy

But he stressed the need for African nations to deepen democracy and show sincere respect for human rights as keys to economic progress, adding that Zimbabwe has proven how poor politics can jeopardize economic well-being. The country is engulfed in political turmoil blamed on President Robert Mugabe's controversial land reform program.

Its economic decline is a warning about ignoring the link between good policies and development, Powell said.

"Countries that fail to live up to NEPAD's commitments will suffer," Powell said.

Powell reiterated a promise to increase direct U.S. assistance to poor nations by 50 percent. He said $5 billion will go every year to "developing nations that are governed wisely and fairly."

Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller of Denmark, which holds the rotating EU presidency, also voiced support for NEPAD.

"The primary responsibility for facing these challenges lies with Africa," he said. "But Africa cannot address them alone. A renewed development partnership between Africa and the international community is needed to support Africa in its efforts."

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for the promotion of girls' education and said a war on AIDS was the only way to beat what "has become the greatest threat to Africa's development."

Speakers discussed a U.N. goal for halving the number of Africans living in poverty by 2015 by bringing the continent more private investment and aid in return for good governance, fiscal responsibility and respect for human rights.