leaders: Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo
GRACA]; Force for Change Democratic Movement [leader NA]; Independent
Democratic Action or ADI [Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation
of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Manuel
Pinto Da COSTA]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Aldo BANDEIRA];
Ue-Kedadji coalition [leader NA]; other small parties

Political pressure groups and leaders: NA

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEEAC,
CEMAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US: Sao Tome and Principe does not
have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN,
headed by First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA, located at 400 Park
Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022, telephone [1] (212) 317-0580

Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy
in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao
Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to
the islands

Flag description: three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double
width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side
in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on
the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Economy Sao Tome and Principe

Economy - overview: This small poor island economy has become
increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence 26 years ago. However,
cocoa production has substantially declined because of drought and
mismanagement. The resulting shortage of cocoa for export has created a
persistent balance-of-payments problem. Sao Tome has to import all fuels,
most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of
food. Over the years, it has been unable to service its external debt
and has had to depend on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao
Tome benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under
the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. Sao Tome's success in
implementing structural reforms has been rewarded by international donors,
who have pledged increased assistance in 2001. Considerable potential
exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has
taken steps to expand facil