Washington — In an initiative designed to overcome the global digital divide, South African President Thabo Mbeki has reached out to leading technology figures, including five from the United States, for an International Task Force on Information Society and Development.

Mbeki announced formation of the panel-- and a parallel body drawn from South Africa's public and private sector -- during his annual 'state of the nation' address to Parliament on Friday.

"The application of modern communication and information technology in the fields of education, health, commerce and government will be expedited." the president said. Among those Mbeki named in his speech are the chief executives of software giant Oracle, Larry Ellison, and computer manufacturer Hewlett-Packard, Carly Fiorina. The other Americans on the list are Esther Dyson of Edventure Holdings, Craig McCaw of Teledesic, and Manuel Castell of the University of California.

Mbeki also tapped executives from the Indian software firm NIIT, the German electronics giant Siemans, Britain's Psion, which manufactures handheld and other computer devices, and two leading French high-tech firms -- entertainment and telecom giant Vivendi and Alcatel, a global telecommunications equipment maker. The list included one South African, Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Thawte Consulting.

Those chosen for the task forces "expressed their determination to work with the Government significantly to increase the numbers of skilled people in this sector," Mbeki said. More members will be announced later, the president said.