    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [September 23, 2002]
    [Pages 1644-1645]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and the Presidents of the
    Central African States
    September 23, 2002

        We, the Heads of State of the United States, Burundi, Cameroon,
    Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
    Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Sao Tome
    and Principe, met September 13, 2002 at the 57th United Nations General
    Assembly in New York.
        We confirmed our commitment to cooperate to pursue regional peace,
    prosperity, freedom, and stability in Central Africa. In pursuit of
    these goals, we renewed our commitment to the political and economic
    reforms necessary to improve the lives of the people of Central Africa,
    and mobilize the resources required to advance development in the
    region. We will continue to show the leadership required to achieve
    these goals as the cornerstone of human freedom and dignity.
        We will strengthen the capacity of the Economic Community for
    Central African States (CEEAC) and the Monetary and Economic Community
    of Central Africa (CEMAC) sub-regional organizations, and work with the
    Council for Peace and Security in Central Africa (COPAX) to prevent and
    resolve conflict, reduce human suffering, and promote regional economic
    integration.
        Convinced that peace and security are global, we support the call by
    United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and
    President Bush for Iraq to fulfill its obligations toward the United
    Nations. We agree that the UN Security Council must face its
    responsibilities and demonstrate the resolve to enforce its resolutions.
        We further agreed that cooperation is essential to combat terrorism,
    and affirmed our commitment to build regional and national capabilities
    to share information and implement United Nations Security Council
    resolutions to eliminate and deny sanctuary

    [[Page 1645]]

    for terrorist organizations, networks, and finance across Central
    Africa.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement. Participating in the issuance of the joint
    statement were: President Pierre Buyoya of Burundi; President Paul Biya
    of Cameroon; President Ange-Felix Patasse of the Central African
    Republic; President Idriss Deby of Chad; President Joseph Kabila of the
    Democratic Republic of the Congo; President Teodoro Obiang Nguema
    Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea; President El Hadj Omar Bongo of Gabon;
    President Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo; President
    Paul Kagame of Rwanda; and President Fradique De Menezes of Sao Tome and
    Principe.