this longest-held and most famous prisoner, a man who had spent 27 years, six months and six days in South African gaols. The independence of Namibia and the release of Nelson Mandela are two events that, in political terms, will chanqe the course of history in southern Africa. The projected talks between President Frederik de Klerk and the African National Conqress of South Africa (ANC) must lead to the eradication of the hateful system of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic multilateral society based on equality of all races without discrimination of any sort. We thus heartily urqe the South African Government to proceed speedily to adopt all the reforms needed to achieve that objective. Today's world is in the midst of profound chanqes, as can be seen from the continuing movement towardS democracy throuqhout the qlobe, and in particular in Eastern Europe. Only yesterday, who could have imaqined the crumbling of the Berlin Wall? Now, however, it has happened, and it has happened thanks to the will and determination of the German people to put an end to what was an absurd and anachronistic situation. Mv country, Rwanda, cannot but rejoice at seeinq the forthcominq reunification of the two Germanys, which is a POsition we have always maintained in international forums. Although qains have been made in the POlitical sphere, there is still serious malaise in the economic sphere. All countries, and the developinq countries in particular, continue to suffer from the effects of the persistent crisis, which is caused by various well-known factors that affect the world economy, inter alia the collaPSe of commodity prices, deterioration of the terms of trade, qr~inq Protectionism, the net transfer of resources from South to North and the serious problem of external debt. Notwithstandinq the major efforts and sacrifices that RM/18 A/S-18/PV.6 83 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or statement from a high-ranking official, likely a government representative, addressing the situation in South Africa and its implications for the region and the world. The speaker is calling for the end of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic society, and is also discussing the global economic crisis and its effects on developing countries. The text does not mention specific economic or environmental policies, but rather focuses on the political and social context.

**Category**
International relations, Humanitarian aid and relief