[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 23 (Monday, June 13, 2005)]
[Pages 974-975]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and President Thabo Mbeki

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.
 <bullet>    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

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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.
    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:
 <bullet>    Expand U.S. cooperation with the NEPAD to support its 
            vision of improved governance, better economic management, 
            and regional integration;
 <bullet>    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;
 <bullet>    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;
 <bullet>    Work together toward strengthening the efforts of the 
            Zimbabwe people to achieve a peaceful resolution to that 
            country's political and economic crisis;
 <bullet>    Initiate senior-level consultations on human rights, 
            particularly for women and children, including multilateral 
            mechanisms;
 <bullet>    Deepen cooperation to end terrorism and the proliferation 
            of weapons of mass destruction; and
 <bullet>    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.