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African Diplomatic Corps press release attacks integrity of opponents of AGOA, defends its own integrity
The debate over the Africian trade bills is heating up. This press release by the African
Diplomatic press corp was just sent to me by a reporter, looking for comment. Here are some of the
colorful quotes:
"We . . . vehemently reject the hollow arguments promoted by
a small cadre of self-promoting advocates for Africa, that the
bill advances U.S. corporate interests at the expense of the
interests and needs of Africa.
. . .
What is abundantly clear is that the opponents of the African
Growth and Opportunity Act are preaching one thing in public, and
espousing an entirely different objective in private --- carrying
out a protectionist agenda designed to throttle and stifle access
of African products into U.S. market.
The African Diplomatic Corps, therefore, strongly deplores the
aspersions cast on the integrity and independence of African
governments and institutions. They profess to advance the cause
of African development, but in reality seek to protect special
interest groups here to the detriment of U.S.-Africa partnership.
This is the whole press release:
---------------
AFRICAN DIPLOMATIC CORPS
PRESS RELEASE
AFRICAN AMBASSADORS HIGHLY SCEPTICAL ABOUT
THE MOTIVES OF THE OPPONENTS OF AFRICA BILL
(AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT)
With the clearance of H.R. 434, the African Growth and Opportunity
Act, through the relevant Committees of both the House and Senate,
the African Diplomatic Corps is greatly encouraged that the
Congress is now poised to pass this bill. We urge them to seize
this renewed sense of energy and urgency for the Act s timely
passage. The bill s widespread bipartisan support is demonstrably
much stronger; and there is a high degree of cooperation and trust
at all levels among the players.
The African Diplomatic Corps continues to give its unequivocal
support to the bill, because we believe this legislation is the
critical centerpiece pulling together the various elements of
U.S.-Africa economic partnership. Along with trade and investment
flows, debt relief, market access and development cooperation, the
Act significantly raises the level of commitment and involvement by
our respective business communities and governments.
As representatives of the sovereign nations of Africa, in
Washington, we are here to work toward the strengthening of
mutual understanding between the peoples of Africa and the U.S., as
well as to foster and enhance business and economic relations.
More specifically, we need to stress that our governments, the
African business community, non-governmental organizations and
civil society are fully backing this legislation without any
equivocation or ambiguity. The more than 80 ministers of finance,
trade and foreign affairs who participated in the U.S.-Africa
Ministerial Conference in March this year collectively demonstrated
their unwavering stand by urging Congress to pass this bill as
early as possible.
We, therefore, vehemently reject the hollow arguments promoted by
a small cadre of self-promoting advocates for Africa, that the
bill advances U.S. corporate interests at the expense of the
interests and needs of Africa. We also reject their simplistic and
divisive tactics aimed to thwart the bill s progress; their mission
is none other than to confuse and distort facts and figures about
Africa s promise, problems and people.
Africans of all walks of life have thus expressed their support for
the bill. Unfortunately, opponents of the bill seem to dismiss
African elected governments and their representatives as incapable
of deciding for themselves --- saying they have instead developed
another bill in consultation with African and U.S. citizens
groups as well as U.S. and African economists and trade
specialists ! This sounds bizarre; it is neither acceptable nor
helpful.
What is abundantly clear is that the opponents of the African
Growth and Opportunity Act are preaching one thing in public, and
espousing an entirely different objective in private --- carrying
out a protectionist agenda designed to throttle and stifle access
of African products into U.S. market.
The African Diplomatic Corps, therefore, strongly deplores the
aspersions cast on the integrity and independence of African
governments and institutions. They profess to advance the cause of
African development, but in reality seek to protect special
interest groups here to the detriment of U.S.-Africa partnership.
It is false and simply sheer misinformation to assert that African
labor unions and civil society oppose the African Growth and
Opportunity Act. Also, neither President Nelson Mandela nor
Reverend Leon Sullivan have ever been prominent critics of the
bill. Why not point out instead that unions in this country oppose
the African Growth and Opportunity Act? Isn t that the case? Are
the opponents of African Growth and Opportunity Act simply strange
bedfellows with the unions or is there more to it than meets the
eye?
The African Diplomatic Corps, also fully refutes the insinuations,
characterizations, and lies spread by the opponents of the bill.
H.R. 434, in our view does not merit the denigration and unfounded
allegations heaped upon it. On the contrary, the bill:-
- Is strongly supported by African Governments, NGO s,
civil society and endorsed by the African Ambassadors.
- establishes a trade and investment policy between the
U.S. and Africa. It expands the GSP program for African
countries, providing the opportunity for more African-made
goods to enter the U.S. market duty-free.
outlines the standard eligibility requirements which call for progress towards the establishment
and enforcement of appropriate policies relating to trade issues .
helps to create investment-friendly environment in Sub-SaharaAfrica, allowing Africans to attract
needed capital to sustain strong employment opportunities and
economic growth.
- includes internationally recognized labor provisions
also supports deep debt relief; and supports the Administration's debt initiatives.
- is not a substitute for debt relief or development aid
recognizes the importance of continued aid to African nationsand in no way discourages, prohibits,
or decreases continuing
assistance to Sub-Sahara Africa.
We believe, as Ambassadors of sovereign nations, we are acting both
collectively and independently in the best interests of our
continent and countries. We have extensively interacted across the
board with any individuals and groups interested to talk to us.
Over the last two years, we have issued many press releases in
support of the bill, and have written letters on many occasions to
every member of Congress, both expressing our views and urging each
to support the bill.
Finally, we urge every Senator and Representative of the U.S.
Congress to respect the views relentlessly pursued by all African
governments. If enacted, this legislation would promote equitable,
sustainable development in Africa, while respecting national
sovereignty. Let us move together forward!
June 29, 1999
Contact: H.E. Roble Olhaye, Ambassador of Djibouti
Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF DJIBOUTI , 1156-15TH ST., N.W.,
#515,WASHINGTON, D.C. , TEL.(202) 331-0270, FAX.(202) 331-0302
--
James Love, Director, Consumer Project on Technology
I can be reached at love@cptech.org, by telephone 202.387.8030,
by fax at 202.234.5176. CPT web page is http://www.cptech.org