MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS; PAN DEAN BROWN, ABDOU DIOUF, AND DR. MAY; DELEGATES LISTEN AND SPEAK; PICTURE; STATUE ON EXHIBITION; PICTURE OF FLOWERS.




Initials IF/VS/RM/SS



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Background: A WEST AFRICAN CONFERENCE ON NUTRITION AND CHILD HEALTH, ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF 4 AFRICAN COUNTRIES AND A NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL BODIES, INCLUDING THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO) AND THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION, OPENED ON MONDAY (25 MARCH) IN DAKAR, SENEGAL.

THE PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE IS TO EMPHASISE THE IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION FOR THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL, AND ITS EFFECT UPON THE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC PROGRESS OF A NATION. IT IS BEING HELD IN THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AND ENDS TOMORROW (29 MARCH).

OPENING THE MEETING ON MONDAY, SENEGAL'S MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND INDUSTRY, M. ABDOU DIOUF, SAID THAT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE HAD NOT THE STRICT SUBSISTANCE MINIMUM, WHILE IN CERTAIN CONTINENTS THEY SPOKE OF A CIVILISATION OF PLENTY. HE ADDED THAT SUCH A SITUATION WAS NOT ONLY A DANGER TO PEACE BUT ALSO THREATENED MAN'S BIOLOGICAL FUTURE.

THE CONFERENCE, WHICH MAY HAVE IMPORTANT CONSEQUENCES FOR THE HEALTH OF AFRICANS, IS SPONSORED JOINTLY BY THE SENEGALESE GOVERNMENT AND THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (AID). REPRESENTING THE LATTER IS DR. MAY. OTHER COUNTRIES PRESENT ARE DAHOMEY, GAMBIA, GHANA, GUINEA, THE IVORY COAST, LIBERIA, MALI, NIGER, NIGERIA, SIERRA LEONE, TONGO AND UPPER VOLTA.

A SECOND CONFERENCE CURRENTLY RUNNING IN DAKAR IS A SYMPOSIUM ON AFRICAN PHARMACOPOEIAS, WHICH IS STUDYING AFRICA'S RESOURCES OF RAW MEDICAL MATERIALS.