KEITA; Popular Movement for the
Development of the Republic of West Africa; Rally for Democracy and
Progress (RDP), Almamy SYLLA; Union for Democracy and Development
(UDD), Moussa Balla COULIBALY; Rally for Democracy and Labor (RDT);
Union of Democratic Forces for Progress (UFDP), Dembo DIALLO; Party
for Democracy and Progress (PDP), Idrissa TRAORE; Malian Union for
Democracy and Development (UMDD); Movement for the Independence, the
Renaissance and Integration of Africa (MIRIA), Mohammed Lamine TRAORE

Other political or pressure groups: United Movement and Fronts of
Azawad (MFUA); Patriotic Movement of the Ghanda Kaye (MPGK)

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU,
OIC, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU,
WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Cheick Oumar DIARRAH
chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador David RAWSON
embassy: Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako
mailing address: B. P. 34, Bamako
telephone: [223] 22 54 70
FAX: [223] 22 37 12

Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow,
and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Economy
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Economic overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the
world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic
activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the
Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the
labor force is engaged in agriculture and fishing. Industrial
activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. The economy
is beginning to turn around after contracting through 1992-93,
largely because of enhanced exports and import substitute production
in the wake of the 50% devaluation of 12 January 1994.
Post-devaluation inflation peaked at 35% in 1994, and the government
appears to be keeping on track with its IMF structural adjustment
program.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.4 billion (1994 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 2.4% (1994 est.)

GDP per capita: $600 (1994 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 42.4%
indust