    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [July 10, 2003]
    [Pages 857-859]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Luncheon Hosted by President Mogae in Gaborone
    July 10, 2003

        President Mogae. The President of the United States, Mr. George W.
    Bush, and First Lady, Mrs. Laura Welch Bush; Your Lordship, the Chief
    Justice and Mrs. Nganunu; the Honorable Deputy Speaker of the National
    Assembly and Mrs. Temane; honorable members of the Cabinet from the
    United States and from Botswana; distinguished ladies and gentlemen.
        I'm delighted to once again welcome you to Botswana, Mr. President,
    and members of your high delegation. It is an honor and

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    privilege on behalf of the Government and people of Botswana to thank
    you for honoring us with a visit and for your pro-African initiatives on
    AIDS and trade.
        This visit, the second of its kind by a President of the United
    States, is indeed a welcome gesture of the friendship that exists
    between our countries. The United States and Botswana have enjoyed many
    years of fruitful and beneficial relations.
        Recently, when Botswana appealed to the United States for help in
    the fight against HIV/AIDS, you not only increased the funding for the
    BOTUSA testing and counseling program, but also restored the Peace Corps
    program to mitigate the human resources constraints.
        Our country, together with Namibia, has also been given special
    treatment under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA. In spite of
    the fact that Botswana graduated from the least-developed-country status
    several years ago, you, Mr. President, gave us a special dispensation
    which allows us to use third-country fabrics to produce textile goods
    for export to the U.S. market.
        I am happy to say that, as in many other African countries, many
    jobs have been created for Botswana. We deeply appreciate your decision
    and are determined to maximize the benefits under this dispensation.
        The assistance and cooperation we have received clearly demonstrates
    that in the United States, Botswana has a true and dependable partner.
    Mr. President, we also welcome your administration's encouragement of
    and collaboration with your country's private sector in the fight
    against the HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa as a whole and in
    Botswana in particular.
        Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, may I now ask you to join me in
    drinking a toast to the continued good health and happiness of the
    President of the United States, Mr. George W. Bush, and First Lady, Mrs.
    Laura Bush, to continued friendship and cooperation between Botswana and
    the United States of America, and of course, to international peace and
    security for which the President stands.
        To the President.

    [At this point, the participants drank a toast.]

        President Mogae. Pula!
        Audience members. Pula!
        President Mogae. Pula!
        Audience members. Pula!
        President Bush. Well, thank you very much, Mr. President, for your
    warm words of welcome and for your friendship and your hospitality. And
    thank you, Madam First Lady, as well for the
    hospitality that you've shown Laura and me. We're
    delighted to make our first visit to Botswana and to see the vast and
    rich beauty of your country.
        The United States and Botswana share many beliefs. We believe that
    democratic government provides the best protections for human dignity.
    We believe that political and economic liberty go together and that
    prosperity is another word for economic freedom. Botswana is known for
    the strength of your democracy and for the vigor of your economy. And
    that's a tribute to the leadership of President Mogae and his
    administration. You have demonstrated, sir, sound economic management
    and fiscal discipline and a commitment to free market principles. You
    have shown that you can build a nation's prosperity and transform the
    lives of its people. And your trade policies, Mr. President, are also
    ensuring strong commerce between Botswana and the United States, which
    will only grow in years ahead.
        Botswana is also directly confronting HIV/AIDS and taking bold steps
    to overcome this crisis. We applaud your leadership. The people of this
    nation have the courage and the resolve to defeat this disease, and you
    will have a partner in the United States of America. My country is
    acting to help all of Africa in turning the tide against AIDS. This is
    the deadliest

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    enemy Africa has ever faced, and you will not face this enemy alone.
        Together, our two nations are determined to build an Africa that is
    growing in peace, in prosperity, and in hope. So let us toast to the
    enduring friendship between the United States and the Republic of
    Botswana.
        Mr. President, to your health and to your country's success.

    Note: The President spoke at approximately 12:30 p.m. at the Gaborone
    International Convention Centre. In his remarks, he referred to Barbara
    Mogae, wife of President Mogae. President Mogae referred to Chief
    Justice Julian Nganunu of Botswana's High Court; and Deputy Speaker of
    the Botswana National Assembly Bahiti Temane.