[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 24 (Monday, June 20, 2005)]
[Pages 983-985]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.

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    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.
    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.

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    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 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 lifesaving 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.