<PAGE> MERRILL LYNCH MIDDLE EAST/AFRICA FUND, INC.
November 9, 1994
VIA ELECTRONIC FILING
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Judiciary Plaza
Washington, D.C. 20549
Attention: Division of Investment Management
Re: Merrill Lynch Middle East/Africa Fund, Inc.
CIK No. 0000920599
Request for Withdrawal of Registration Statement
on Form N-2 (File No. 33-52767)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
On March 21, 1994, Emerging Freedom Fund, Inc. (now known as Merrill
Lynch Middle East/Africa Fund, Inc.; the "Fund") filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement on Form
N-2 (File No. 33-52767; the "N-2 Registration Statement") under the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"). Prior to effectiveness of the
N-2 Registration Statement, the Fund has been converted from a closed-end
fund into an open-end fund, and in connection therewith, on October 7, 1994
the Fund filed with the Commission
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a new registration statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act (the "N-1A
Registration Statement").
Therefore, the Fund hereby requests withdrawal of the N-2 Registration
Statement pursuant to Rule 477(a) under the Securities Act. Please be
advised that we continue to seek effectiveness of the N-1A Registration
Statement, and no withdrawal request is made in connection therewith.
Very truly yours,
MERRILL LYNCH MIDDLE EAST/AFRICA FUND, INC.
By: /s/ ARTHUR ZEIKEL
Arthur Zeikel
President
cc: John C. Grzeskiewicz
David L. Wills
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