Certainly, Africa accounts for only l % of world trade, and we cannot assure our development on our own.

For about ten years now, the struggle for democracy and the respect of human rights has been in the focus point - if not a commodity - of political groups aiming to rise to power.

There is an idea of democracy produced by one-sided thinking.

But since independence, Gabon is one of the few countries in Central Africa that enjoys peace and stability.

I am in favor of complete freedom of information and of free access to the new communication tools, in particular the Internet.

We do not control the trade of our resources, which are an important factor of prosperity for the dominant nations.

But the Western countries that link their partnership with the poorest countries with respect for democracy also have to consider that they have obligations towards these countries.