[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 28 (Monday, July 19, 1999)]
[Page 1369]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Proposed ``African Growth and Opportunity Act''

July 14, 1999

    This week Congress has a chance to pass a bill that can transform 
our relationship with an entire continent for the better. The ``African 
Growth and Opportunity Act'' promises a new partnership with Africa 
based on mutual respect and mutual responsibility.
    Last week African nations signed two significant documents--a cease-
fire in Congo and a peace agreement ending the war in Sierra Leone. With 
these agreements, and with democratic government in Nigeria and a new 
leadership in South Africa, we have an historic opportunity. The United 
States must do everything we can right now to support the efforts 
Africans are making to build democracy and respect for human rights, 
advance peace, and lay the foundation for prosperity and growth.
    This bill supports education and job creation so that all of 
Africa's children can grow up educated and productive. It supports 
better health care and the flow of ideas and technology that will help 
Africa's doctors save more lives.
    This bill has strong bipartisan support in Congress, nearly 
unanimous support from the nations of Africa, and brings together a 
broad group of concerned citizens on both continents--from Jack Kemp and 
Andrew Young to the African Association of Women Entrepreneurs. It 
represents an effort to build a partnership with African nations that 
involves listening and working with them. It serves America's national 
interests in creating new markets for American goods and services; in 
building strong, reliable, and democratic partners overseas; and in 
creating a more prosperous and stable world. I urge Congress to seize 
this opportunity by passing the ``African Growth and Opportunity Act.''