    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [June 10, 2005]
    [Pages 971-972]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and President Thabo
    Mbeki of South Africa
    June 10, 2005

        Our two nations are committed to deepening the close bonds of
    cooperation and shared values of peace and prosperity that mark the
    U.S./South Africa bilateral relationship. In our meeting on June 1, we
    shared perspectives on vital bilateral and international issues,
    including: trade and economic development; eradication of poverty; the
    fight against HIV/AIDS; global cooperation against terrorism and the
    proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; debt management in Africa;
    and the compelling need to help all people attain the blessings of
    freedom, democracy, and security.

    Building Peace and Security

        We discussed South Africa's experience as a beacon for
    reconciliation and as an important leader in resolving conflicts. We
    recognized the significant progress in resolving the devastating
    conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Cote
    d'Ivoire, and Sudan. Looking to the future, we identified mutual support
    for United Nations and African Union initiatives as essential to
    building a durable peace in these countries.
         We agreed that all nations should uphold and enforce
                internationally established obligations to prevent the
                further spread of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons
                and expressed our mutual determination to deal forcefully
                with the threat of international terrorism.

    Spreading Economic Growth and Well-Being

        The productive meeting afforded us the opportunity to reaffirm our
    joint vision for African economic growth and development, a vision built
    around the principles of good governance and accountability established
    both in the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the
    2002 Monterrey Consensus.
        We noted with satisfaction the positive benefits for South Africa
    and the region of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). We
    agreed that our two countries share a strong interest in the successful
    completion of the Doha Development Agenda negotiations of the World
    Trade Organization (WTO) and will work together in the WTO toward the
    elimination of agriculture-export subsidies, the reduction of trade-
    distorting domestic support, and substantial improvements in
    agricultural-market access. We agreed on the economic benefits of a
    U.S.-Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Free Trade Agreement and its
    potential to create economic growth and jobs, and we asked our
    negotiators to intensify efforts to conclude such an agreement.

    [[Page 972]]

        We also look forward to a positive outcome of the upcoming G-8
    summit reaffirming the G-8's commitment to supporting Africa's efforts
    to address the challenges and realize the opportunities the continent
    faces. We agreed to strengthen our joint efforts to cooperate to combat
    the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other
    infectious diseases.

    Expanding Democracy and Freedom

        We agreed that our two nations should identify ways to work together
    even more effectively in the international arena to promote these
    principles of democracy and human rights.
        We stressed that a democratic, stable, and economically prosperous
    Zimbabwe is in the interests of the African continent and international
    community. We expressed our deep concern about the food crisis and the
    suffering of the people of the southern African region--Zimbabwe, in
    particular.

    Next Steps

        To fulfill our joint goals and interests, we agreed to take the
    following concrete steps over the next 12 months:
         Expand U.S. cooperation with the NEPAD to support its
                vision of improved governance, better economic management,
                and regional integration;
         Work with the African Union to promote development and good
                governance in Africa, support South African leadership in
                resolving conflict and building peace in the Democratic
                Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Cote d'Ivoire, and Burundi;
         Enhance U.S.-South African military cooperation, including
                training and equipping a South African battalion and
                establishing a joint training program to support the African
                Standby Force and peacekeeping initiatives throughout the
                continent;
         Work together toward strengthening the efforts of the
                Zimbabwe people to achieve a peaceful resolution to that
                country's political and economic crisis;
         Initiate senior-level consultations on human rights,
                particularly for women and children, including multilateral
                mechanisms;
         Deepen cooperation to end terrorism and the proliferation
                of weapons of mass destruction; and
         Intensify efforts to conclude a U.S.-SACU Free Trade
                Agreement.
        Our two governments will meet regularly to consult on bilateral,
    regional, and multilateral issues of shared importance. We asked the
    United States Secretary of State and the
    South African Minister of Foreign Affairs to oversee bilateral consultations on these
    initiatives and report to us in twelve months on concrete results.
        We look forward to continuing our dialogue and to an even greater
    cooperation at all levels in our governments.

     Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.