Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi called for the west to pay reparations for slavery and the damage done to Africa during the 4th extraordinary meeting of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the 30th anniversary of the Libyan revolution recently held in Libya.

Col. Gadhafi also called for a return of all African artifacts robbed by Europeans and others during the same meeting, one of the greatest gatherings of African Heads of State in the 20th century.

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan received the only invitation extended to a North American delegation, according to organizers.

Min. Farrakhan, unable to attend due to health reasons, sent his chief of staff, Leonard Farrakhan Muhammad, his son, Mustafa Farrakhan, his African representative, Akbar Muhammad, and his personal physician, Dr. Abdul Alim Muhammad, to meet with Col. Gadhafi.

Dr. Alim Muhammad, also the Nation of Islam�s minister of health, gave an in-depth report on Min. Farrakhan�s health to the Libyan leader as well as many other heads of state concerned about the Nation of Islam leader.

The summit included a call for Blacks in the Diaspora to be included in the dialogue for a United States of Africa. This event was vindication for the Libyan leader, who in the early '80s had called for a meeting of African leaders but due to a threat from the west to withhold aid to participating countries, he was not able to get a quorum.

Now after seven years of sanctions and isolation centered on the Lockerbie bombing and a negative image of Col. Gadhafi, he emerged victoriously to host a meeting of 43 heads of state of Africa. These states included former heads of state Ahmed Ben Bella of Algeria and Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, who have been dubbed the wise men of Africa due to their longevity in the struggle of their countries. The only other key missing figure due to his failing health was Julius Nyerere, now deceased.

The conference began with a parade that featured 32 to 52 African nations. Col. Gadhafi, dressed in a white uniform decorated with medals, stood proudly at the helm and saluted the various military representatives.

During the deliberations, which began in Sirte the next day, Col. Gadhafi honored the sons of two great African heroes, Gamal Nkrumah, son of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and Roland Lumumba, son of Patrice Lumumba.

Col. Gadhafi wanted the final resolution to be completed September 9, 1999 (9-9-99), so that this date would live in the history of Africa as the day those African leaders determined that Africa must be united.

The words of Kwame Ture had to be in the front of the minds of those who heard him speak on college campuses throughout America and organizations in the Caribbean, Canada and Europe.

"As Africa is my mother, I know that Africa will unite if they are to survive."

(Akbar Muhammad, based in Accra, Ghana, is the International Representative of the Nation of Islam and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.)