    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [March 19, 1998]
    [Pages 403-404]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Videotaped Address to the People of Africa
    March 19, 1998

        To all our friends in Africa, let met me say how very much I'm
    looking forward to my upcoming trip. I'll travel to Ghana, Uganda, South
    Africa, Botswana, and Senegal. It will be a real privilege for me to be
    the first American President to visit those countries.
        This journey will be my opportunity, and yours, to help to introduce
    the people of the United States to a new Africa, an Africa whose
    political and economic accomplishments grow more impressive each month.
    I want to see for myself what America can learn from Africa and how we
    can work with you as partners to build a better future for all our
    children.
        As I visit your countries and meet your leaders and citizens, I'll
    have in mind four central goals for us to work toward together. First,
    we want to support Africa's democracies, those with long and proud
    histories and those that are newly emerging. Together we can create a
    global community of nations that respect and promote human rights,
    tolerance, and broad participation in public life.
        Second, we want to increase trade and investment with Africa. When
    it comes to economic development, America and Africa can help each
    other, opening markets, building businesses, creating jobs on both
    continents. A prosperous future awaits us if we strengthen the economic

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    ties between our countries and give all our people the education and
    training they need to succeed in this new global economy.
        But democracy and prosperity are threatened where there is violence,
    so our third goal is to look for ways to work in partnership with the
    nations of Africa to prevent armed conflict. Ethnic and political
    violence continues to plague parts of Africa. Together we can, and we
    must, find solutions.
        Fourth, the United States wants to play a role in preserving
    Africa's majestic natural beauty and wildlife and ensuring sustainable
    development of Africa's natural resources. The nations of the world must
    continue to cooperate and avoid environmental destruction and to leave a
    rich heritage to our children.
        There are many other areas where we can progress as partners:
    improving nutrition and health care, eradicating diseases like AIDS and
    malaria, empowering women, fighting crime and drugs, expanding civic and
    cultural ties across the ocean. With the 21st century fast approaching,
    Africa, the cradle of human civilization, is forging a vibrant future
    for itself with new leaders, new opportunities, and new hope. The core
    values that are driving Africa's renaissance--democracy, diversity, free
    enterprise--those are the values that the United States shares.
        My wife, Hillary, my daughter, Chelsea, the entire United States
    delegation, and I look forward to being with you and sharing our
    experience with the American people.

    Note: The address was videotaped at approximately 2:30 p.m. on March 5
    in the Roosevelt Room at the White House for later broadcast on the U.S.
    Information Agency WORLDNET, and it was released by the Office of the
    Press Secretary on March 19. A tape was not available for verification
    of the content of this address.