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GV Conference building & flags (2 shots) (MUTE)
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2.
SV INT. Delegates arriving
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3.
SV PAN Delegates & newsmen (4 shots)
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4.
SCU Mr. Briggs speaks
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"I am sure you will all agree that in spite of the complexity of the issues we have dealt with, we have no doubt made some remarkable achievements. Indeed, we have taken a stride forward. I must thank each and every one of you for your co-operation understanding and tolerance, without which it would not have been possible to have achieved anything.



Given the human and material potential of Africa, there is no reason why we should fail to hand over to our children a more prosperous and united Africa. Your Excellencies, Fellow Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen I firmly believe that we could not have been provided with better opportunity and the time could not be more opportune then we have now to foster and ensure the realignment of Africa. We have no excuse to do otherwise. Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen, before the ovation diss down, I must warn that we have got a difficult and long journey before us if we were to achieve the goals set for us by the Heads of State and Government at Addis Ababa. This is just the beginning of our journey. I wish, therefore, to implore you all to continue in this cooperative endeavour in a spirit of brotherhood, compromise and tolerance and above all, be ready to make the necessary sacrifice. Your Excellencies, Secretary-General, Follow Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen, I say thank you, au revoir and I hope we shall all ??? in Brussels. Thank you."




Initials SGM/1659 SGM/1545


In the closing speech, Nigerian Commissioner for Trade W???nike Bri??? summed up the achievement of the conference:

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: African Trade Ministers wound up their three-day meeting in Lagos on Wednesday (July 11) by making genuine progress towards the establishment of an African Common Market. A resolution adopted by the conference called on heads of states of the Organisation of African Unity to study the possibility of creating such a common market.

But though an economic grouping of this kind could strengthen African unity, political analysts believe it is still many years in the future. Meantime, the 39 nations at the Lagos conference decided they will not grant tariff concessions to goods from member countries of the European Common Market -- they will be negotiating with the European Community in Brussels later this month.

SYNOPSIS: Trade Ministers from thirty-nine African nations wound up their three-day conference in Lagos on Wednesday having made genuine progress towards setting up an African Common Market. They called on heads of states of the Organisation of African Unity to study the possibility of setting up such a trade grouping. At the same time, the conference prepared for negotiations with the European Economic Community later this month -- and decided not to grant trade concessions to the European member countries. Nigerian Trade Commissioner Mr. Wenike Briggs summed up the conference.