Statement at the Opening of the Conference on Comoros

"Our conference today takes place amidst the background of a serious crisis that has engulfed the Islands. Regrettably, this is not the first crisis facing the Comorian people. Indeed from the advent of the country's independence in 1975 to date, the Comoros have witnessed political and security convulsions which have become cyclical. There have been coups and counter coups. There have been political assassinations. Above all, there have been the repeated use of mercenaries by one group or another. All these have created serious setbacks for the stability and security of the islands. And they have definitely significantly contributed to the impoverishment of the Islands." - Dr. Salim, December 10, 1997