22 February 2005
Bush Lauds South Africa's Success in 10 Years of Democracy
President supports Mbeki's efforts, pledges more anti-AIDS help
President Bush has congratulated South Africans for their accomplishments during their country's first 10 years of democracy, the White House press secretary announced February 22.
Following is the text of the press secretary's statement:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Brussels, Belgium)
February 22, 2005
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
South Africa
President Bush congratulates the people of South Africa on their achievements during their first ten years of democracy. President Mbeki’s February 11 State of the Nation address made clear South Africa’s commitment to progress at home and around the world. In this broader effort, we support President Mbeki's work to promote the advancement of democracy and regional stability in Cote d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and urge a common effort to ensure that the parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe are free and fair.
The United States shares many of the goals and values expressed in the State of the Nation address, particularly South Africa’s great concern over tuberculosis, AIDS, malaria, and other diseases. We will work closely within the framework of South Africa’s national comprehensive plan to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and plan to continue and increase our cooperation via the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
The United States looks forward to working closely with South Africa to further our shared interest of building a world in which all peoples can live in peace, freedom, and dignity.
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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
