Bush meets with African leaders

2005-06-13 19:19

Washington - US President George W Bush said on Monday he was committed to expanding US programmes linking trade benefits and aid for Africa to reforms as he welcomed five African leaders he cited as models.

"We believe Africa is a continent full of promise, and talent, and opportunity, and the United States will do our part to help the people of Africa realize the brighter future they deserve," he said with the presidents of Botswana, Ghana, Mozambique, Namibia and Niger at his side.

"I consider these men friends, I consider them to be strong patriots of their respective countries, and I consider them to be democrats," said Bush, who stressed that all five nations had held elections in the past year.

"What a strong statement that these leaders have made about democracy and the importance of democracy on the continent of Africa," said the US president.

His guests were President Festus Mogae of Botswana, President John Kufuor of Ghana, President Armando Guebuza of Mozambique, President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, and President Mamadou Tandja of Niger.

"All of us share a fundamental commitment to advancing democracy and opportunity on the continent of Africa.

"And all of us believe that one of the most effective ways to advance democracy and deliver hope to the people of Africa is through mutually beneficial trade," he said.

Bush specifically praised the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which rewards countries with trade benefits, and the Millenium Challenge Account, which requires reforms in exchange for economic assistance.

AGOA allows nearly 40 sub-Saharan countries to export some 6 100 products, including fibres, threads, fabrics, footwear, wine and motor vehicle components duty-free to the United States.

In 2004, Bush signed legislation extending AGOA's trade and investment provisions to 2015 and extending a key textile provision through 2007.

"AGOA is promoting democratic reform in Africa by providing incentives for these nations to extend freedom and opportunity to all of their citizens," said the president.

Bush created the Millenium Challenge Account programme, which is supposed to grow to five billion dollars by 2006, in 2002, linking aid to democratic reforms and the embrace of free-market principles.

To date, only Madagascar has received funds from the programme.

The US president said he had told his guest that Washington "will work harder and faster to certify countries" as eligible for Millenium Challenge Account funding.

He also pointed to his announcement last week that the United States will provide about $674m "to help alleviate humanitarian emergencies in African nations, especially the growing famine in parts of Africa."

The White House has said the $674m was in addition to the $1.4bn the United States has already pledged to contribute to the United Nations' Africa fund.

- AFP