On the recordMarch 17, 1998
Since its independence in September of 1996, Botswana has been a successful multiparty democracy. It has consistently scored high in human rights reports by the State Department. It has been a long-standing ally of the United States, and it has consistently supported U.S. positions in international fora. Through increased adherence to free-market principles, Botswana has experienced remarkable economic growth, it has made U.S. economic assistance unnecessary, and it has done it in a part of a continent where that is not always the case. We often encourage African countries to spend money on social concerns such as education and health, and the President Masire government has done exactly that. Unlike so many other leaders in many countries and certainly in Africa, the President is stepping down voluntarily. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party offered him the chance to be exempt from new term limits on the presidency, but he refused.
Said by
Doug Bereuter
Source
govinfo.gov