ACTIVITIES OF SECRETARY-GENERAL IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, 30 APRIL-1 MAY

The Secretary-General travelled to Bangui from Gabon in the afternoon of Sunday, 30 April, to begin the first-ever visit of a United Nations Secretary- General to the Central African Republic.

The Secretary-General told the press at the airport that he was pleased that the United Nations could play a role in the peaceful return to democratic rule in the Central African Republic, and that it was now time to work on social and economic development.

Shortly after arriving in Bangui, the Secretary-General met with the President of the Central African Republic, Ange-Félix Patassé. With their delegations, they reviewed African issues generally, and the Secretary-General introduced Cheikh Tidiane Sy as his Representative who will head the new United Nations peace-building office in Bangui. The two principals then met privately for about three-quarters of an hour.

On Sunday evening, the Secretary-General attended a dinner in his honour hosted by the President.

On Monday. the Secretary-General met briefly one-on-one with the Prime Minister of the Central African Republic, Anicet Georges Dolegue. He and his delegation then sat down with the Prime Minister and other members of his Government.

The Central African Republic ministers described their plan to resolve internal security problems, such as highway banditry, as part of their efforts to spur economic development. Economic growth was getting stronger and the country's infrastructure was being rebuilt, they said. An example of this is the expansion of the electricity grid thanks to financial help from the World Bank.

United Nations peace-building in the Central African Republic continues in mid-May, when donor countries gather in New York.

The Prime Minister then hosted a luncheon in honour of the Secretary- General, after which the Secretary-General met with members of the National Assembly.

Following a second meeting with President Ange-Félix Patassé, the Secretary-General met the press.

Late on Monday afternoon, he flew to Yaoundé, Cameroon, for the last leg of his five-nation African tour.