Because the world is in economic recession, which worsened since this drama happened, and our country will bear the burden of all of these consequences.
Omar Bongo

But it is important to observe that when Europe or the United Nations impose sanctions that are supposed to be aimed against a certain regime, usually generally millions of people end up being directly punished.
Omar Bongo

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

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.
Omar Bongo

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

Do not forget that the Arab countries, starting with Algeria and Egypt, are the ones that have paid the heaviest toll because of Islamic terror.
Omar Bongo

Economic sanctions rarely achieve the desired results.
Omar Bongo

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.
Omar Bongo

From the time of independences until the end of the Cold War, in spite of the participation of a considerable number of African states in the non-aligned movement, everyone in fact chose to align with one or another of the two major blocks.
Omar Bongo

Globalization, far from putting an end to power diplomacy between States, has, on the contrary, intensified it.
Omar Bongo

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

I'm not aiming for the Nobel Peace Prize!
Omar Bongo

If the Soviet Union and the United States have not experienced direct military confrontations, on the other hand, they supported, armed and trained Africans, to fight other Africans.
Omar Bongo

In brief, Western democracy, as other political models, is not exportable to all regions of the world.
Omar Bongo

In short, we have, among African countries, a duty of solidarity.
Omar Bongo

In spite of our poverty and our economic dependence, we do not have to give in, neither because we are sometimes abandoned nor because of the wish of some nations to impose their economic or political models.
Omar Bongo

Information on the Internet must be as free as in the newspapers.
Omar Bongo

Instead of ideological objectives of a political nature, today we are faced with ideological objectives of economic nature.
Omar Bongo

It is important to stress: Africa is also a victim of the September 11 attacks.
Omar Bongo

It is not right to associate the fight against international terrorist networks with an imaginary crusade against Islam.
Omar Bongo