It is a personal privilege for me to begin this first state visit of a President of the United States to the sub-Saharan region of Africa.

I believe that this day is coming for Africa.

We share with you a desire to see all the people of Africa at peace with each other, preserving their diversity and their national character, living in mutual respect, and enjoying the fruits of development and of democracy.

I come from a great nation to visit a great nation.

DONALD CYRIL LUBICK, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, vice Laurence N. Woodworth, deceased.

ROBERT L. YOST, of California, a Foreign Service officer of Class one, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Dominican Republic.

GEORGE S. BENTON, of Maryland, to be Associate Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, vice John W. Townsend, Jr., resigned.

ANITA M. MILLER, of California, to be a member of the Board of Trustees of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation for a term expiring December 10, 1983, vice Jonathan Moore, term expired.

SAUL SILVERMAN, of Pennsylvania, to be Assayer of the United States Assay Office at New York, New York, vice Allan Stephen Ryan, deceased.

Sun Day will be proclaimed on May 3, 1978.

We share a common hope for peace.

The world needs, the world expects, and the world will benefit from your creativity, your energy, and your success.

President Carter emphasized his Administration's commitment to freer trade.

The visit testifies to the desire of both Presidents to increase their mutual understanding and build on the broad areas of agreement that exist between the two Governments.

One of the greatest honors of my life is to meet with others who share with us in the United States a common background, a common commitment to the common future.

Political liberty and economic progress need not be conflicting ideals, but can strengthen one another.

They agreed that it is essential that the conference reach agreements which are just and fair for all countries.

Both Presidents expressed the hope that the American Convention on Human Rights will soon enter into force.