For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 10, 2003
President Bush and President Mogae Remarks in Exchange of Toasts
Gabarone International Convention Centre
Gabarone, Botswana
Audio
12:30 P.M. (L)
PRESIDENT MOGAE: The President of the United States, Mr. George
W. Bush, and First Lady, Mrs. Laura Welch Bush; Your Lordship, the
Chief Justice and Mrs. Nganunu; the Honorable Deputy Speaker of the
National Assembly and Mrs. Temane; honorable members of the Cabinet
from the United States and from Botswana; distinguished ladies and
gentlemen.
I'm delighted to once again welcome you to Botswana, Mr. President,
and members of your high delegation. It is an honor and a privilege on
behalf of the government and people of Botswana to thank you for
honoring us with a visit, and for your pro-African initiatives on AIDS
and trade.
This visit, the second of its kind by a President of the United
States is, indeed, a welcome gesture of the friendship that exists
between our countries. The United States and Botswana have enjoyed
many years of fruitful and beneficial relations.
Recently, when Botswana appealed to the United States for help in
the fight against HIV/AIDS, you not only increased the funding for the
BOTUSA testing and counseling program, but also restored the Peace
Corps program to mitigate the human resources constrained.
Our country, together with Namibia, has also been given special
treatment under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA. In spite
of the fact that Botswana graduated from the least developed country
status several years ago, you, Mr. President, gave us a special
dispensation which allows us to use third country fabrics to produce
textile goods for export to the U.S. market.
I am happy to say that, as in many other African countries, many
jobs have been created for Botswana. We deeply appreciate your
decision and are determined to maximize the benefits under this
dispensation.
The assistance and cooperation we have received clearly
demonstrates that in the United States, Botswana has a true and
dependable partner. Mr. President, we also welcome your
administration's encouragement of and collaboration with your country's
private sector in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic in
sub-Saharan Africa as a whole, and in Botswana, in particular.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, may I now ask you to join me in
drinking a toast to the continued good health and happiness of the
President of the United States, Mr. George W. Bush, and First Lady,
Mrs. Laura Bush; to continued friendship and cooperation between
Botswana and the United States of America; and, of course, to
international peace and security for which the President stands.
To the President.
(A toast was delivered.)
PRESIDENT MOGAE: Pulah. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, thank you very much, Mr. President, for your
warm words of welcome, and for your friendship and your hospitality.
And thank you, Madam First Lady, as well, for the hospitality that
you've shown Laura and me. We're delighted to make our first visit to
Botswana and to see the vast and rich beauty of your country.
The United States and Botswana share many beliefs. We believe that
democratic government provides the best protections for human dignity.
We believe that political and economic liberty go together, and that
prosperity is another word for economic freedom. Botswana is known for
the strength of your democracy and for the vigor of your economy. And
that's a tribute to the leadership of President Mogae and his
administration. You have demonstrated sure, sound economic management
and fiscal discipline, and a commitment to free market principles. You
have shown that you can build a nation's prosperity and transform the
lives of its people.
And your trade policies, Mr. President, are also ensuring strong
commerce between Botswana and the United States, which will only grow
in years ahead.
Botswana is also directly confronting HIV/AIDS and taking bold
steps to overcome this crisis. We applaud your leadership. The people
of this nation have the courage and the resolve to defeat this disease,
and you will have a partner in the United States of America.
(Applause.)
My country is acting to help all of Africa in turning the tide
against AIDS. This is the deadliest enemy Africa has ever faced and
you will not face this enemy alone.
Together, our two nations are determined to build an Africa that is
growing in peace, in prosperity and in hope. So let us toast to the
enduring friendship between the United States and the Republic of
Botswana.
Mr. President, to your health, and to your country's success.
(A toast was delivered.) (Applause.)
END 12:35 P.M. (L)
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