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INSIDE AFRICA
Uncertainties Remain After Madagascar Election; U.S. Court Case Could Set Precedent for Dealers in Egyptian Art
Aired February 9, 2002 - 12:30:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TUMI MAKGABO, HOST: On this edition of INSIDE AFRICA: uncertainties in Madagascar. Protesters demand power as the government insists on a second round of voting. What's ahead for this island nation?
Who owns this piece of artwork? How a U.S. court case could set a precedent for those dealing in Egyptian art. Plus, a rising star and a superstar, backstage with two of Africa's best as we get a taste of Ethiopian and Senegalese music.
Hello, I'm Tumi Makgabo. Welcome to INSIDE AFRICA and our weekly news and life on the continent.
We begin in Madagascar and the storm that has greeted yet another emerging African democracy. At issue: the results of the December presidential elections and a divided electorate demand for fair play.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MAKGABO (voice-over): A festive looking scene in the Madagascan capital, Antananarivo, these people aren't celebrating. This is day eight of the massive protest against alleged vote rigging and the descends of presidential elections.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People are suffering in Madagascar. Other top people came in here and think that the government could change.
MAKGABO: It's a test of strength. On one side, a charismatic mayor, Marc Ravalomanana, who's claiming an outright victory. On the other, the incumbent president, Didier Ratsiraka, who's ruled the country on and off for at least 20 years. So now, Ravalomanana seems to be gaining the upper hand, leading a daily protest of nearly a half a million people for the past two weeks.
MARC RAVALOMANANA, OPPOSITION CANDIDATE: If we protest, it take -- it's only -- it is not only for me -- it's not only the part on me, but it's between the dialogue. It's part in the part of dialogue to see if the other side wants to make a dialogue, we can make it short. But this is a - - they don't like to listen. They (UNINTELLIGIBLE), the coalition. This may be -- it takes a long time.
MAKGABO: So far Ravalomanana is rejecting the official results of the election certified by the high constitutional court. According to the court, no candidate got the 50 percent required to avoid a run off. The official results give him 46 percent of the votes and President Ratsiraka 40 percent. But Marc Ravalomanana wants a recount. That has not stopped President Ratsiraka from launching his campaign for the second round of voting schedule for February 24.
At a rally on Friday, he proved that he could still draw the crowds, greeting thousands of supporters outside the capital. Later, a confident Ratsiraka spoke to the press.
DIDIER RATSIRAKA, MADAGASCAN PRESIDENT: Of course, I'm optimistic because I didn't cheat at the first round. I'm optimistic. I will win. I shall win and I will win the contest, OK?
MAKGABO: The contest in which he could be the only candidate. Opposition leader Ravolomanana says unless his representatives are allowed to verify the results, he will not participate in the runoff.
In the absence of a recount, the opposition wants President Ratsiraka to concede defeat and step aside. With the two sides standing firm in their positions, the military is weighing in. The army minister has warned the opposition that the military will not allow the country to, as he put it, "slide into ruin."
Military intervention is not new to this Indian Ocean nation. In 1975, after the president was killed, a military directorate was established to rule the country. It later named 38-year-old Didier Ratsiraka as head of state. In 1989, Ratsiraka organized democratic elections and won. He lost the next election in 1992 and he was returned to power in the 1997 election.
And this veteran politician is not ready to retire. So the stalemate persists and the country's foreign minister is now appealing for international mediation.
LILA RATSIFANDRIHAMANANA, MADAGASCAN FOREIGN MINISTER: I think the most important that we say is the dialogue between two parts. There is crazy, spurious position of each parties and it is not necessary to, of this position, rule dialogue between two parts. That's why we ask, from a broad international community, to come here.
MAKGABO: The OAU secretary general Amara Essy is due in the country this weekend. The two sides are now expressing willingness to negotiate.
In the meantime, the protests continue. The political future of this country remains uncertain.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MAKGABO: The European Union, France and the United States also trying to help resolve the crisis in Madagascar. If you'd like more information on Madagascar and you have access to the Internet, why not log onto our Web site at CNN.com/INSIDE AFRICA. There you can find links to other sites that give daily updates on the situation. Also, remember to take part in our quick vote. The address, once again, CNN.com/INSIDE AFRICA.
From politics to the world of art and a court case that could set a legal precedent both in the United States and Egypt, a U.S. expert is on trial in New York for allegedly dealing in stolen Egyptian art. And as Alphonso Van Marsh reports, this is a case being watched by art lovers around the globe.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALPHONSO VAN MARSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Surrounded by lawyers and supporters, New York art dealer Frederick Schultz, head turned, has had a long day. He's a defendant in a trial that could cost him a quarter million dollar fine and five years in jail.
(on-camera): Can I talk to him about the case?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have no comment.
VAN MARSH (voice-over): The U.S. government says in the 1990s, Schultz conspired to receive and possess stolen ancient Egyptian antiquities. Schultz is accused of faking private ownership histories to get around Antiquity Anti-Export laws, then offering the objects for sale out of his east Manhattan gallery. Schultz denies the charges.
British national Mark Parry (ph) is key to the government's case. The self-described antiquities smuggler says he was part of Schultz's alleged scam.
Prosecutors say Parry helped disguise antiquities like this Byronic stone head by spraying them with protective plastic, then painting them with gold leafed to mimic tourist souvenirs. Once restored out of Egypt, it is alleged, Schultz sold the bust for $1.2 million.
In court, Perry told jurors about clandestine meetings with Egyptian tomb raiders and close calls getting suitcases of stolen antiquities past Egyptian customs agents.
As Schultz watched, his lawyers tried to discredit Perry, saying a nervous breakdown clouded his memory.
The key issue for the defense is whether Schultz knew the objects were stolen or whether he was dubbed.
(on-camera): The art world and scientific circles are watching this trial because some argue it's setting a legal precedent in the United States. The application of international law, in this case, Egyptian law, as a basis for criminal prosecution in America.
(voice-over): Tourists and archaeologists have long considered Egypt an antiquities treasure trove. New discoveries are common, but Egypt has a problem keeping its artifacts and until now, getting some nations to enforce a decade's old Egyptian law declaring all new finds Egyptian government property.
GABALLAH AU GABALLAH, EGYPTIAN ANTIQUITIES COUNCIL: We never rest until our monuments, which have been most valuable to the country, which found out they were outside Egypt illegally, that they would come back home.
VAN MARSH: Art collectors, including Christie's Auction House, say they're against art theft, but filed a court brief in support of Schultz. They say, "U.S. threats of prosecution will force dealers to abandon the trade and collection of any object that any government may unilaterally claim as it cultural patrimony."
One museum curator says Egypt shouldn't be so selfish.
PETER LACOVARA, MUSEUM CURATOR: And it is the world's heritage that's close to the property of one particular government who happens to be on that turf on this point in time.
VAN MARSH: Archaeologists say a U.S. conviction in the case over Egypt's antiquities will discourage looting and help protect cultural heritage worldwide.
Closing arguments in U.S. versus Schultz begin this week.
Alphonso Van Marsh, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MAKGABO: And when INSIDE AFRICA continues, 40 years of soul-searching end in an admission of guilt. Belgium's official apology for its role in the death of the late Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MAKGABO: And welcome back. It's time now for our business news update. For that, as always, we turn to Zain Verjee -- Zain.
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Tumi. We begin with good news for the continent. A new report says economic growth in Africa this year will be at least two percent higher than industrialized nations. The report is based on a survey conducted by the Organization For Economic Cooperation and Development and the African Development Bank.
The continent is expected to experience an overall growth of 3.2 percent. Among the 22 countries surveyed, Ghana is expected to grow by five percent, while Nigeria and South Africa should go up by at least three percent.
Already, the Ghanaian economy is beginning to show progress. The stock exchange has experienced a modest growth since the January with the All Share Index gaining ground each week. One expert attributes this to increased foreign investment.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
DANIEL TETTEH, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, DATABANK FINANCIAL: Well, I think, this year, we've had some block trades. We've had some foreign investors actively trading on the market. And I'd also say that the improvement in the general market economy came in from last year. It seems to have given some kind of confidence to investors on the market.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
VERJEE: Mr. Tetteh says the Ghanaian government is working to attract more foreign investors.
Onto Egypt now, where a donor's conference was held this week to try and shore up the country's ailing economy. Egypt wants a $10.3 billion rescue package. The downturn in terrorism since September the 11th is just one of the problems. The lack of a strong private sector is another factor.
Some countries attending the Donor Conference accuse Egypt of adopting policies that were not favorable to investors.
Time now to check the markets.
That's our business update. Tumi, back to you.
MAKGABO: Zain, thank you very much. Now, let's take a look at some of the other stories making news inside Africa. British Prime Minister Tony Blair was in West Africa during the week pledging support for the New Partnership for Africa's Development. Mr. Blair's visit began in Nigeria.
In a speech to parliament, the prime minister urged rich nations to help develop Africa. He said, "If Africa is neglected, it could become a nest of failed states and a nest of terror." Mr. Blair has made Africa's development a foreign policy priority of his second term.
He also made stops in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Senegal. His Nigeria visit coincided with troubled times for the country. Soldiers are patrolling the commercial capital, Lagos, after four days of ethnic clashes. That came days after a weapons dump explosion killed at least 1,000 people.
On the other side of the water, another European leader was also pledging support for NPAD. French president Jacques Chirac met 13 African leaders in Paris.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACQUES CHIRAC, FRENCH PRESIDENT (through translator): This meeting has shown that there is a clear will on behalf of all the African leaders to support a development policy, which can only emerge from the heart and soul of the Africans.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MAKGABO: Mr. Chirac says rich nations should increase aid to Africa to help counter the impact of the global economic slowdown.
In Liberia, thousands of people are fleeing their homes as government troops battle rebels 35 kilometers outside the capital, Monrovia. President Charles Taylor has declared a state of emergency and refugees are pouring into the capital from surrounding areas.
It was a historic moment for the Belgium and the Congolese people. The Belgian government finally admitted some form of guilt for the assassination of the late Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba. As David Compton reports, this comes after 40 years of accusations and denials.
We'll be taking a look at that story a little later.
Looking ahead to what else is coming up on INSIDE AFRICA, a preview of the big game. Two football giants prepare to battle for the most prestigious title in African sports. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MAKGABO: Hello again, now getting back to the story of the Belgian government's admission to some form of guilt for the assassination of the late Congolese, Patrice Lumumba, David Compton reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID COMPTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Federal parliament in Brussels, the elegant setting for an official apology from the Belgian government for its role in the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of Congo.
Belgium is Congo's former colonial power and it has long been suspected of being responsible for Lumumba's death. After a two-year inquiry, a parliamentary commission concluded that Belgium bears what it called "moral responsibility" for the assassination.
GEERT VERSNICK, PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE HEAD: Why morally responsible? Because the Belgian government was careless about what happened to Mr. Lumumba. They were preoccupied that he would come again into power. He was in (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and they wanted to get him away from there. That was the objective. It was not the objective to kill him, but they sent him away somewhere. And they should have known -- they could have known that his life was at risk in Catena.
COMPTON: Appearing before parliament on Tuesday, Belgian foreign minister Louis Michel apologized to the Congolese people.
Lumumba's eldest son, Francois, welcomed the apology. Earlier, he told INSIDE AFRICA that the Congolese people will not forget what happened.
FRANCOIS LUMUMBA, SON OF PATRICE LUMUMBA (through translator): Certain elements demonstrate that the government planned and premeditated Patrice Lumumba's assassination and they even allocated funds to do it.
I believe that Belgium's specialists, (UNINTELLIGIBLE), are of the higher caliber. And it added an additive moral; it is because they wanted to hide (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of certain people of the period.
COMPTON: The Parliamentary Commission was set up in 1999 after the publication of a book by Belgian historian, Ludo De Witte. De Witte tells INSIDE AFRICA the commission's report does not surprise him.
LUDO DE WITTE, HISTORIAN: The assassination plots were actually several plots coordinated by the Belgian minister of African Affairs. And we have additional information that there was a lot of activities of the Belgian ministers to get Lumumba transferred to Catena where they knew he would be killed.
COMPTON: According to the report, Lumumba was killed on January 17, 1961 along with two of his associates. Their bodies were then doused acid to destroy the evidence.
The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency was also suspected of involvement in the killings. Declassified intelligence documents confirmed Washington was concerned about Lumumba's pro-Soviet views. But in 1975, a U.S. Senate inquiry found no proof of CIA involvement.
Lumumba was overthrown by Joseph Mobuto, who as Mobuto says (UNINTELLIGIBLE) was widely blamed for many of the country's present ills, including the civil war.
In his appearance before parliament on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Louis Michel says Belgium will donate more than $3 million to a pro-democracy fund established in Lumumba's honor.
David Compton for INSIDE AFRICA.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MAKGABO: Now, a taste of Africa in Atlanta. That's what Femi Oke got a recent concert featuring two musicians. One is a new talent, Ethiopian singer, Gigi, the other, Senegalese Baaba Maal, an established musical icon known across the continent. And I'll let Femi Oke tell us more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FEMI OKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: One of Africa's great music icons, Baaba Maal is touring the United States with one of Ethiopia's rising stars. Her name is Gigi.
Gigi was so determined to be a singer that she defied her father to pursue a passion for music.
GIGI, ETHIOPIAN SINGER: He was always happy when I was singing in the house and dancing. And but when I wanted to go to -- actually, my mom put me in music school. I went there for only two weeks and he was like, you know, that can't happen.
OKE: Gigi ran away to Nairobi, a start of a musical journey that brought her to New York. But her songs are still about Ethiopia, in native tongue, Amharic.
The musicians playing with her are from all over the world. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) provide backing vocals. The great Herbie Hancock lent his talents to Gigi's self titled debut album.
GIGI: A lot of people that worked on the record are not Ethiopian. So it's just music from around the world and you're free to come and play with me any time.
OKE: As the lights fade on Gigi, Senegal's Baaba Maal takes to the stage.
BAABA MAAL, SENEGALESE SINGER: And I see that people love it. People are just quiet. They just listen. They listen to the melodies and they can feel this is not portentous music.
OKE: Baaba Maal is a superstar in Senegal and across Africa. In the next few months, his music will travel further afield. He's written four songs for the soundtrack of the film "Black Hawk Down."
The film recreates a battle between U.S. forces and Somalis in the streets of Mogadishu.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "BLACK HAWK DOWN")
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You shouldn't have come here. This is our world not yours.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MAAL: There is two side in the film. There is the American side and the African side and I wanted to act something in the African side and to make it more African.
OKE: And Baaba Maal is bringing the spirit of Africa to new audiences across America with his acoustic tour.
MAAL: This is how we do it in Africa. In the ceremonies, I can't get my guitar and go (UNINTELLIGIBLE), go into a party or see -- or to visit a friend and just play a little and we make very beautiful songs like that, exactly what I want to put on the stage.
OKE: Along with a lot of dancing. Baaba Maal is generous enough to share the spotlight with enthusiastic members of the audience and even the occasional interviewer.
Femi Oke, INSIDE AFRICA.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MAKGABO: Go, Femi. In the Malian capital, Bamako, football fans are preparing for what could be the biggest game of the year. It's the championship match of the African Cup of Nations. And two of the continent's best are vying for the title. Mark McKay has a preview.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARK MCKAY, CNN ANCHOR: The 23rd African Cup of Nations comes to a close on Sunday in Mali with a title match featuring two sides with totally different histories. Both share the nickname Lions. Cameroon, the defending champions and three time winners of this event have a traditional edge as they've won all three final matches they played. On the other side, the Senegalese Lions, a new force in African football, are playing in their first ever final and in fact, it only reached the semifinals in the competition once and that was 12 years ago.
Senegal and their fans are still trying to come down to earth after a bruising upset of Nigeria, which saw three men set off, including Senegal's Pepe Sar (ph), but they'll take extra confidence from the fact that they put out star-studded Nigeria with a goal in extra time. The Nigerians were stunned after going out in the round of four.
Cameroon go in as the favorites for their second straight title, having yet to give up a goal in the tournament. While Senegal has no player who has scored more than once at Mali 2002. Cameroon's reigning African Football of Year, Patrick Ulmbama (ph) and Solomon Elembay (ph) have each scored three times. Elembay (ph) in Cameroon's three-nil semifinal win over hosts, Mali.
Regardless of the outcome, both finalists move on to the World Cup in May. Senegal for the first time, while Cameroon leads African's representative for the fifth time.
For the look at the African Cup of Nations, I'm Mark McKay.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MAKGABO: Thank you very much, Mark and now, let's take a look inside our mailbag.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MAKGABO (voice-over): We received a lot of feedback following our coverage of Somalia. The prospect of the country being the next target in the war against terrorism did not sit well with many.
Asha Hashi believes that nothing can justify any U.S. military action in Somalia. From Mogadishu, Ashsa writes, "The only sensible action for America is to push forward the process of reconciliation and help Somalia establish a government that can protect its own people and contribute to peace and security in the world."
One Somali, Rashid Ali, is concerned about reports that some men in Baidoa (ph) are trying to befriend the United States. He writes, "These men are nothing buy warlords who are annihilating their own countrymen in return for a position in leadership and the ensuing dimes that will come as foreign aid."
One viewer wants us to focus on what he calls "the positive accomplishments in the breakaway republic of Somaliland." He writes, "Reports on Hargeisa, the capital of the Republic of Somaliland, where police are on the streets instead of armed militias and where there is freedom of speech."
Our recent focus on the New Partnership For Africa's Development brought in this comment from Hassan Alooui in Morocco, "One cannot look at Africa as a large continent. There are way too many problems to tackle by each of the governments to provide a common solution." He goes on, "My belief is that the continent be tackled on a regional basis."
Paul Tilsley's report Salif Kaita's tour of Mozambique moved this Cameroonian viewer to write, "It was refreshing to know that it's not always the worst that comes from Africa. Seeing Salif Kaita on scene and learning about his tour was such a nice surprise."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MAKGABO: Please keep those e-mails coming. We love to hear from you. If you have a comment about the program or know of an event that we should be adding to our calendar, e-mail us at INSIDEAFRICA@CNN.com. Your e-mail may be used on a future broadcast. Also, remember to send in your recipes to post on our Web site.
And that's all for this week's show. Thanks for joining us. I'm Tumi Makgabo. As always, the news continues on CNN.
END
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