    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [January 21, 2000]
    [Pages 102-103]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on the
    Comprehensive Trade and Development Policy for Africa
    January 21, 2000

    Dear __________:
        I am pleased to submit the fifth annual report on the
    Administration's Comprehensive Trade and Development Policy for Africa,
    as required by section 134 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. The past
    year has seen the broadening and deepening of our economic relations
    with Sub-Saharan Africa as we pursue common objectives under the
    Partnership for Economic Growth and Opportunity in Africa and set a
    course for the 21st century.
        For the first time in history, a U.S.-Africa Ministerial meeting was
    held in Washington in March 1999. The event was attended by 83 ministers
    from 46 Sub-Saharan countries, as well as representatives from 4 north
    African nations, the heads of 8 African regional organizations, and 8
    members of my Cabinet and 4 agency heads. The Ministerial resulted in
    the Blueprint for a U.S.-Africa Partnership for the 21st Century, a
    document setting forth common perspectives and plans for U.S.-Africa
    cooperation on a series of important issues, including the integration
    of African states into the global economy, regional integration,
    development assistance, sector issues including investment, debt, and
    agriculture, and the broader issues of human resource development, HIV/
    AIDS, transnational threats, and conflict resolution. We will continue
    to build on this blueprint in the coming year.
        The legislative cornerstone of our Africa trade policy is the
    African Growth and Opportunity Act. I am pleased that this legislation
    has been approved by both chambers of Congress, and I look forward to
    final approval by the Congress of this historic legislation early this
    year.
        The African Growth and Opportunity Act will add further impetus to
    our Nation's bipartisan efforts to enhance economic growth and
    strengthen U.S. trade with and investment in Sub-Saharan Africa.
        My Administration continues to be guided by the conviction that
    economic development in

    [[Page 103]]

    Sub-Saharan Africa will benefit both Africans and Americans. As
    highlighted in the attached report, the United States has made
    significant progress in supporting sustainable growth and expanded trade
    in Africa through a series of successful initiatives, focused on
    increased economic engagement, enhanced market access, technical
    assistance in implementing economic reforms, trade missions, development
    assistance, debt relief, and support for the region's integration into
    the multilateral trading system.
        My Administration will continue working with the Congress, the
    private sector, the countries of Africa, and our other trading partners
    to implement the policies and programs contained in this report. We have
    charted the course and look forward to an even stronger, mutually
    beneficial U.S. partnership with the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa in
    the 21st century.
            Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Jesse Helms, chairman, and Joseph
    R. Biden, Jr., ranking member, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations;
    Benjamin A. Gilman, chairman, and Sam Gejdenson, ranking member, House
    Committee on International Relations; William V. Roth, Jr., chairman,
    and Daniel Patrick Moynihan, ranking member, Senate Committee on
    Finance; and Bill Archer, chairman, and Charles B. Rangel, ranking
    member, House Committee on Ways and Means.