Ambassador Soon's April 30, 1998 statement

[James Love <love@cptech.org>]

Going over some notes, I just found this April 30, 1998 statement, from
Ambassador Franklin A. Sonn, then the SA Ambassador to the US.

"South Africa supports passage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act
(H.R. 1432), particularly the provisions relating to duty free treatment
for textiles and apparel, the further extension of the Generalized
System of Preferences (GSP), debt relief initiatives, and the provision
of Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) funds.

"For the first time, there has been a real attempt by the U.S. Congress
to bring legislative focus on to Africa and to recognize Africa as an
important part of the global economy.  This is significant and
appreciated.

"During the press conference held in Cape Town by President Mandela and
President Clinton on the occasion of President Clinton's visit to South
Africa, a number of questions were asked of both presidents.  One such
questions specifically related to the conditionally clauses which form
part of the African Growth and Opportunity Act.  In his response to this
question, President Mandela confirmed his opposition to them.  The
President also went further, however, to emphasize that the
conditionalities will remain a subject of ongoing discussion.

Issued by the South African Embassy, Washington, DC, April 30, 1998

----------------------------
This, of course, was before the HOPE bill had been introduced.
-- 
James Love
Consumer Project on Technology
http://www.cptech.org
love@cptech.org
202.387.8030; fax 202.234.5176