Bill Clinton: “African Growth and Opportunity March 11, 1998 In this year's State of the Union Address, I asked Congress to support an…”

“African Growth and Opportunity March 11, 1998 In this year's State of the Union Address, I asked Congress to support an initiative to strengthen economic ties to Africa. Today, I am pleased that Congress has taken an important step forward on legislation that will open a new era of U.S.-African trade and investment relations. The strong bipartisan vote in the House in support of the ``African Growth and Opportunity Act'' offers the way for a brighter future for Africa. The United States has a vital stake in a stable, prosperous Africa. Later this month, when I travel to Africa, I will deliver the message that the United States stands ready to be a partner in Africa's prosperity. A majority of sub-Saharan Africa's 48 countries have adopted market-oriented economic and political reforms in the past seven years. A stronger, stable, prosperous Africa will be a better economic partner, a better partner for security and peace, and a better partner in the fight against the new transnational threats of drug trafficking, crime, terrorism, the spread of disease and environmental degradation. This bill--by significantly broadening market access, spurring growth in Africa, and helping the poorest nations eliminate or reduce their bilateral debt--would help African nations that are committed to undertake difficult economic reforms to build better lives for their people. We have an historic opportunity to support the renaissance in Africa.…”