[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
[July 14, 1999]
[Pages 1213-1214]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Proposed Legislation To Provide Assistance to African 
Nations
July 14, 1999

    This week Congress has a chance to pass a bill that can transform 
our relationship with an entire continent for the better. The African 
growth and opportunity act promises a new partnership with Africa based 
on mutual respect and mutual responsibility.
    Last week African nations signed two significant documents: a cease-
fire in Congo and a peace agreement ending the war in Sierra Leone. With 
these agreements and with democratic government in Nigeria and a new 
leadership in South Africa, we have an historic opportunity. The United 
States must do everything we can right now to support the efforts 
Africans are making to build democracy and respect for human rights, 
advance peace, and lay the foundation for prosperity and growth.
    This bill supports education and job creation so that all of 
Africa's children can grow up educated and productive. It supports 
better health care and the flow of ideas and technology that will help 
Africa's doctors save more lives.
    This bill has strong bipartisan support in Congress, nearly 
unanimous support from the nations of Africa, and brings together a 
broad group of concerned citizens on both continents, from Jack 
Kemp and Andrew Young to 
the African Association of Women Entrepreneurs. It represents an effort 
to build a partnership with

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African nations that involves listening and working with them. It serves 
America's national interests in creating new markets for American goods 
and services; in building strong, reliable, and democratic partners 
overseas; and in creating a more prosperous and stable world. I urge 
Congress to seize this opportunity by passing the African growth and 
opportunity act.