29 October 2001
Excerpt: Bush Talks to Africa Forum About Trade, Terrorism
(Combating Terror to Ensure Prosperity and Freedom) (930)
Addressing the representatives of 35 African nations October 29,
President Bush spoke of the long-term ties that bind the United States
and its coalition partners in the current fight against global
terrorism.
"In an era of global trade and global terror, the futures of the
developed world and the developing world are closely linked. We
benefit from each other's success. We are not immune from each other's
troubles. We share the same threats, and we share the same goal: to
forge a future of more openness, trade, and freedom," Bush said.
"Recent events have provided the world with a clear and dramatic
choice. Our enemies, the terrorists and their supporters, offer a
narrow and backward vision. They feed resentment, envy, and hatred.
They fear human creativity, choice, and diversity. Powerless to build
a better world, they seek to destroy a world that is passing them by,"
he continued.
"When nations accept the rules of the modern world, they discover the
benefits of the modern world. This vision of progress is not owned by
any nation or any culture, it belongs to humanity -- every African,
every Muslim, every man or woman who wants to make it real," President
Bush said.
President Bush spoke at the Department of State, which is hosting the
"African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum" October 29-30. The
president was joined by Secretary of State Powell, US Trade
Representative Zoellick, and several other cabinet representatives and
Congressmen. The purpose of the Forum is to engage African nations in
discussions ranging from strengthening commercial linkages to sound
financial policies to wrestling the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
(begin transcript)
President Bush: Over 80 countries, including Ethiopia and Egypt, Ghana
and Gambia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Togo and Zimbabwe, lost
citizens along with the Americans on September the 11th. The United
States is deeply grateful to all countries and all African countries
that have now joined in a great coalition against terror.
We are grateful for the political support offered by the Organization
of African Unity and by many African regional organizations. We
appreciate the basing and overflight rights offered by African
countries, and the growing number of African nations that have
committed to cracking down on terrorist financing.
We are encouraged by the strong declaration issued at Dakar by 28
African countries, calling on all African nations to ratify the 1999
Algiers Convention against terrorism. I spoke to Senegal's President
Wade to thank him for his leadership in convening the Dakar meeting.
The Algiers Convention was developed following the 1998 embassy
bombings by al Qaida, which took 12 American lives and over 200
African lives, including many Muslims.
Now it is critically important that this convention be ratified, so
that African nations have additional judicial, diplomatic, and
financial tools to root out terrorism. And as nations begin to put
these measures in place, the United States will look for ways to work
together.
In an era of global trade and global terror, the futures of the
developed world and the developing world are closely linked. We
benefit from each other's success. We are not immune from each other's
troubles. We share the same threats, and we share the same goal: to
forge a future of more openness, trade, and freedom.
Recent events have provided the world with a clear and dramatic
choice. Our enemies, the terrorists and their supporters, offer a
narrow and backward vision. They feed resentment, envy, and hatred.
They fear human creativity, choice, and diversity. Powerless to build
a better world, they seek to destroy a world that is passing them by,
and they will not succeed.
We offer a better way. When nations respect the creativity and
enterprise of their people, they find social and economic progress.
When nations open their markets to the world, their people find new
ways to create wealth. When nations accept the rules of the modern
world, they discover the benefits of the modern world.
This vision of progress is not owned by any nation or any culture, it
belongs to humanity -- every African, every Muslim, every man or woman
who wants to make it real. Good governments, of course, will look
different from place to place. Cultures must preserve their unique
values. Yet everywhere, East and West, North and South, there is a
model of successful development, a market economy, trading with the
world, that respects human rights and the rule of law. Every nation
that adopts this vision will find in America a trading partner, an
investor, a friend.
And it's for this reason that America welcomes and supports the new
African initiative, put forward by visionary African leaders. To
fulfill this vision of progress we must return to the steady, patient
work of building a world that trades in freedom.
Our times present many challenges. Yet I'm optimistic about our shared
future. I know we can build a world that grows in prosperity and
trades in freedom. I know we can bring health and education to more
people. I know we can defeat terror -- defeat terror now, so that our
children and grandchildren can grow up in free societies.
Out of the sorrow of September 11th, I see opportunity, a chance for
nations to strengthen and rethink and reinvigorate their
relationships. We share more than a common enemy; we share a common
goal: to expand our ties of commerce and culture, to renew our
commitment to development and democracy. And together we will meet
that goal.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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