[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
[June 13, 2005]
[Pages 975-977]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on the African Growth and Opportunity Act
June 13, 2005

    Thank you all for coming. Welcome to the White House. I want to 
thank the five Presidents who are with us today: President Mogae of Botswana, President Kufuor of Ghana, President Guebuza of Mozambique, President Pohamba of Namibia, and President Tandja of Niger.
    We just had a great discussion. I consider these men friends. I 
consider them to be strong patriots of their respective countries, and I 
consider them to be democrats.
    I want to thank Secretary of State Condi Rice for joining us today, and she was in the 
discussions we had earlier. I'm honored that the members of the 
diplomatic corps have joined us. I thank the Ambassadors for being here.
    I appreciate Members of the Congress being here: Senator Bill 
Frist, the majority leader is with us; 
Congressman Bill Thomas, Congressman 
Charlie Rangel of the Ways and Means 
Committee, two fine Members, and I appreciate you being here as a symbol 
of unity and support for--[laughter]--for moving the trade agenda 
forward. I appreciate Congressman Jim Kolbe 
from Arizona for being here as well. Thank you all for coming, really 
are honored you're here, and I know the Presidents are as well.

    All the Presidents 
gathered here 
represent countries that have held democratic elections in the last 
year. What a strong statement that these leaders have made about 
democracy and the importance of democracy on the continent of Africa. 
All of us share a fundamental commitment to advancing democracy and 
opportunity on the continent of Africa, and all of us believe that one 
of the most effective ways to advance democracy and deliver hope to the 
people of Africa is through mutually beneficial trade.

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    That was certainly the idea behind the African Growth and 
Opportunity Act, a bipartisan act, an act of the United States Congress 
that recognized this fact. You see, AGOA is promoting democratic reform 
in Africa by providing incentives for these nations to extend freedom 
and opportunity to all of their citizens. Under this law, African 
nations can obtain greater access to our markets by showing their 
commitment to economic and political reform, by respecting human rights, 
tearing down trade barriers, and strengthening property rights and the 
rule of law, which is precisely what the leaders of these five nations 
are doing.
    Because AGOA is producing results, I've twice signed into law 
provisions that build on its success and extend its benefits long into 
the future. My predecessor worked with 
the Congress to get the law passed. I have been honored to work with the 
Congress to extend the good law. And the reason why I feel confident in 
going to the Congress is because it has worked. It's a good piece of 
legislation that has made a difference in people's lives.
    In 2004, we saw dramatic evidence of the results that this new 
engagement between the United States and Africa is helping produce. Last 
year, exports to the United States from AGOA nations were up 88 percent 
over the year before, and non-oil exports were up by 22 percent. In 
other words, we pledged to open our markets; we have opened our markets; 
and people are now making goods that the United States consumers want to 
buy. And that's helpful. That's how you spread wealth. That's how you 
encourage hope and opportunity.
    Over the same period, interestingly enough, U.S. exports to sub-
Sahara Africa were up 25 percent. In other words, this is a two-way 
street. Not only have folks in Africa benefited by selling products in 
the United States; American businesses, small and large, have benefited 
through the opening of the African market as well. Across sub-Sahara 
Africa, economic growth increased to an 8-year high. Real per capita 
income increased by 2.7 percent, and this growth is expected to continue 
in 2005. By creating jobs and lowering prices and expanding opportunity, 
AGOA is today developing benefits for Americans and Africans alike, and 
that's important for our fellow citizens to understand. Trade is 
beneficial for the working people here in America, just like it's 
beneficial for people on the continent of Africa.
    We'll continue to work for policies that build on these impressive 
results. In December, I announced that 37 African countries are now 
eligible for AGOA benefits, and next month in Senegal, senior ministers 
from my administration will meet with government ministers from these 37 
AGOA nations to build on this progress. These representatives will be 
joined by hundreds of American and African businesses and private 
organizations who will discuss ways to promote development and 
strengthen civil society.
    As we expand our trade, the United States is committing to expanding 
our efforts to relieve hunger, reduce debt, fight disease on the African 
continent. One thing we discussed was the Millennium Challenge Account, 
and I assured the leaders we will work harder and faster to certify 
countries for the MCA, so that MCA countries and the people in the MCA 
countries can see the benefit of this really important piece of 
legislation and funding.
    I also announced last week that the United States will provide about 
$674 million of additional resources to help alleviate humanitarian 
emergencies in African nations, especially the growing famine in parts 
of Africa. On Saturday, we also announced an agreement worked out 
through the Group of Eight industrialized nations that will cancel $40 
billion in debt owed by 18 of the world's poorest nations, including 14 
in Africa. The countries eligible for this relief are those that have 
put themselves on the path to reform. We believe that by removing a 
crippling debt burden, we'll

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help millions of Africans improve their lives and grow their economies.
    Finally, one of the greatest causes of suffering in Africa is the 
spread of HIV/AIDS. I appreciate Randy Tobias being here. I made fighting this terrible disease a top 
priority of my administration by launching an emergency plan for AIDS 
relief. Working with our African partners, we have now delivered life-
saving treatment to more than 200,000 people in sub-Sahara Africa, and 
we're on our way to meeting an important goal--an important 5-year 
goal--of providing treatment for nearly 2 million African adults and 
children.
    The United States of America is firmly committed to working with 
governments to help fight the pandemic of AIDS. It is--this crisis is 
one that can be arrested. And I want you all to know that when America 
makes a commitment, we mean what we say, and this Government means what 
it says, and this Congress means what it says, and we'll work together 
to fight HIV/AIDS.
    These are just some of the initiatives that we're pursuing to help 
Africa's leaders bring democracy and prosperity and hope to their 
people. The reason I ask these 
Presidents to 
join us today is because I applaud their courage; I appreciate their 
wisdom. I appreciate them being such good friends that they're able to 
feel comfortable in coming to the White House to say, ``Mr. President, 
this is going well, and this isn't. How about working together to make 
this work better.'' That's how we solve problems. We solve problems by 
having a frank and open dialog.
    We believe Africa is a continent full of promise and talent and 
opportunity, and the United States will do our part to help the people 
of Africa realize the brighter future they deserve.
    Again, I'm honored you all are here. Thank you all for coming. May 
God bless you all.

Note: The President spoke at 11:11 a.m. in Room 450 in the Dwight D. 
Eisenhower Executive Office Building. In his remarks, he referred to 
President Festus Gontebanye Mogae of Botswana; President John Agyekum 
Kufuor of Ghana; President Armando Guebuza of Mozambique; President 
Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia; and President Mamadou Tandja of Niger.