JOHANNESBURG, Nov 27 (AFP) - South Africa is, with help from Nigeria and
Algeria, drafting an economic rescue plan for Africa that will see countries
on the continent join hands in a quest for foreign investment and
development,
President Thabo Mbeki has said.
   Tentatively titled the Millenium Africa Recovery Plan, it will also
coordinate the push for debt relief and more foreign aid for Africa, Mbeki
said in an interview with the Financial Times of London published Monday in
the Johannesburg-based newspaper Business Day.
   Mbeki said the plan would be issued in draft form and presented to
governments of developed countries within a month's time and hopefully
launched next year.
   "It has to deal with these matters of debt trade, market access and
attraction of capital into these African countries.
   "We are looking at all of these things to see if we can't elaborate a new
programme for African development," he said.
   So far, the plan has won the support of British Prime Minister Tony Blair
and US President Bill Clinton, who "is very keen to see this thing in place
before he leaves office," Mbeki said.
   He added that Clinton wants to stay involved in trying to solve Africa's
troubles even after his term ends early next year.
   "I discussed with him the matter of what happens after he has left the
presidency and he is very keenly interested to remain engaged with this
African challenge and will be," he said.
   Mbeki's officials have explained that he was trying to persuade the
developed world to support an equivalent of the Marshall Plan -- which
sought
to rebuild the European economy after World War II -- for Africa.
   But the president emphasized that it hinges on African countries proving
that they are committed to peace, democracy and stability and prepared to
root
out corruption.
   "It is really up to yourself as an African country to come on board by
demonstrating seriousness and commitment."
   He said Africa could not expect the rest of the world to throw money at
its
problems without setting conditions.
   "You cannot say 'I'm going to export all of these billions of dollars and
put them in a Swiss bank account and please, rest of the world, can you come
in and rescue my country'."
   However, he implied, this time African leaders rather than international
organisations like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund should
be the ones imposing the conditions for foreign help.
   bur/ef/pbl/nb
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