corridor-by-corridor approach, involving all modes, projects and related activities in the entire corridors. The programme also urged maximum co-operation by the transit States and international assistance in its implementation.
132. In the course of the ensuing discussions participants congratulated the
secretariat for the quality of the documents. However, the representative of
Morocco regretted that document E/ECA/CM,13/23 did not describe activities
undertaken by his country in the implementation of the Decade programme. While
his country had at one time suspended its participation in the Decade programme,
E/ECA/TPCW.R/L
?ar?e 48
it had, in At>ril 1986, requested that its pro^ets be resubnitted as part of the programme. His delegation therefore found it hard to understand why two stretches of the Tanpier-Nouakchott and Rabat-Cairo highways of interest to h\js country
had been left out of the programme. Tie accordingly registered serious reservations on document E/3CA/CM. 13/23 which he said should be revised in accordance
ECOSOC resolution 1986/62 of 22 July
133. The representative of Morocco reiterated the official renuest of his Government for the reinstatement of all of Morocco's projects which were part of the first and second, phases of the United Nations Transport and Communications Decade for Africa. A written statenent to that effect was delivered to the Chairman by the delegation.
134. The poor rate of implementation in the maritime transport sector was deplored given the importance of maritime transport to African countries. Urgent measures were called for to set up a naritine transport conference. The need was also felt for an inventory of air freedoms. Sone representatives observed that the documents needed to be revised in the li?*ht of new data to be nrovided by them to the
secretariat.
135. The observer for ITfl briefly recalled the background to the African conference for the development of telecommunications held at Tunis in January 19P7. The
conference had acknowledged the vital role of telecommunications in the development process. He regretted that telecommunications did not feature anon?, the top
oriorities for national or regional nlannin^ and investment. He explained that the under-utilization of inter-connected networks in PANAFTEL was mainlv due to lack of funds to maintain equipment, lack of working agreements on tariffs and transit arrangements, and the fact that even in those countries where the iriter-conhectionr did function extensively, the African countries continued to route their com
munications traffic through transit centres outside Africa. Those were areas in which cdncerted action amonp: member States was called for. ^ith regard, to the feasibility study on the RA5CO-* systen, success would depend on the active parti cipation of member States. They were therefore to set up national co-ordinatinr*
committees. The Secretary-General of T.TTT had, in that connection, sent to "raeiriber States the profiles and composition of national co-ordinating committees for the RASCOM system study in order to heir? those countries in that task. The observer finally requested the meeting to take appropriate action in respect of the PAFAFT^L and RASCON projects. One delegate described to the Committee, the efforts that Yi?
countrv had rade in implementation of the PA;TAFTEL and RASCOM proiectss statinp
E/ECA/TPCT.8/L
13f. The observer for ICAO ■■itvV.g on Mr organisation's activities in the relation to the planning development, oneration and maintenance of civil aviation infrastruc ture. Those activities *?er^- described in ICAO"s vorl^"i.de air navigation plan available as a separate document (doc. 7474/25).
137. The current nlan had been dra^n un at Aruoha9 the United Republic of Tanzania
in Pece-iber 107°. However, implementation of the nlan had lapsed behind although sone Ttates had made concert^ efforts. The naior difficulties were in the area ofcommunications, meteorology, rules of the air, air traffic services and search and
rescue. Another regional air navigation meeting was planned to take place in April!nC° to review these difficulties. It *ras important for all member States to be
represented at that meeting by a^nronriate delegations which should include specialists in connunications, air traffic services and meteorology. Service charges levied by
costal authorities in Africa were beyond the means of many civil aviation administrations and T-ere forcing them to resort to low-prade hi^h-freruency modes of operation. Member States should examine the lon?r-term effects of the problem with a view to establishing reasonable rates for safety services. T'ith regard to airport operations, ICAO T7as en couraging the establishment by Oovemnents of autonomous and seni -autonomous authorities to ensure better management. Within the framework of the air navigation plan, ICAO -ras helnir.7 Governments to develop individual State civil aviation master plans.
ICAO vas also assisting in proiect design and formulation for the next UHDP regional nroo;ramnin« cycle. Following these di?;cusRions5 the secretariat thanked participants for their consents. It appreciated the contribution of ITU and promised to take note of the information provided by participants in order to enrich the document. Those countries "'.:.ich had assir-ts^ EGA with the organization of Conor Pound Tables were to be co*>raen'!ed. Although the document had been nrenared in aid of all the parties,
nro.iects ^rere country-snecific and it was un to each of the member States to
them.
Promotion of economic co oneration and integration ("agenda item 10)
r.e^orts from IpTL^OCs Councils of 'Ministers /agenda item 10 (a)7
ITiawey
130. The representative of Guinea, -^ose country had been elected Vice-President of the tenth meeting of the Council of Ministers of the :tUI.?OC for Pest Africa, informed the meeting that the mandate to introduce the report of the meetinfi had been »iven to the director of thf. HCJLPOC. He dre" the attention of the Committee to the necessity of voluntary contributions without which the MULPOC would be incapable of carrying
out the tasks assigned to it.
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