MAPUTO, July 17 (AFP) - Mozambique took over chairmanship of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) Monday at the organisation's third summit in Maputo, amid calls for increased cooperation from member states.

Accepting his new post at the helm of the seven-nation organisation, Mozambique's President Joaquim Chissano said his government was committed to the objectives of the CPLP.

"My government, and I personally will put our commitment and all our energy at CPLP's disposal for the sake of development, consolidation and prestige of our organisation," he said.

Chissano -- who is also head of the 14-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) -- urged cooperation in sectors including education, health, justice, public administration, and telecommunications.

His calls for cooperation were echoed by attending heads of state.

Brazil's President Henrique Cardoso said the CPLP "should not be a mere monoply of governments, it only makes sense with direct involvement of societies which believe in their values".

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres, who accompanied President Jorge Sampaio, said the CPLP must become an organ which can positively intervene worldwide to end what he called "international political and economic dictatorship".

The CPLP must, he said, be able to influence the world agenda at all levels including proposing reforms in the United Nations system, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Chissano said political and diplomatic dialogue and the promotion of the Portuguese language were essential.

Other major challenges were HIV/AIDS, and the president called for common policies and action against the epidemic.

Mozambique is considered to be the nation least affected by AIDS in southern Africa with rates of infection estimated at around 14 per cent of the population, and about 700 new infections occurring daily.

Chissano referred to the political and military situation in Angola -- a CPLP member country -- and called on the United Nations (UN) to make sure everyone complied with its resolution to impose sanctions against the rebel movement UNITA.

"We appeal to the international community to respect UN Security Council sanctions against the movement of Jonas Savimbi (leader of rebel group UNITA - National Union for the Total Independence of Angola), and continue providing humanitarian assistance to the Angolan people who are victims of UNITA," said Chissano.

Representing Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, national assembly chairman Roberto de Almeida, called for special attention from the CPLP.

"The situation in Angola must be given maximum priority", De Almeida said.

The Angolan government has been fighting UNITA rebels since 1975.

The CPLP includes Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and Sao Tome and Principe.

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