Clinton vows continued support for Africa
US President Bill Clinton vowed Thursday to continue to work hard on issues that promote positive developments in Africa.
"Africa does matter to the United States" and that Americans in this age have no reason not to be interested in the continent unless they choose not to do so, he said during an address at the opening of the National Summit on Africa, an initiative by African-Americans to provide an anchor for improved US-Africa relations.
With modern communications technology making it possible for people to know of what is happening in far places in matter of seconds, Clinton added that "it is no longer an option for us to choose not to know the trials and triumphs of other people."
Rather, he said, "we can only choose not to act" even though it is possible for America to make a difference in other people's lives.
But in this case, America cannot choose not to act when it comes to Africa.
Clinton said though it is easier to know about conflicts in Africa, the region is also a source of positive developments.
For instance, he noted, the fastest growing economy in the world in 1999 was Mozambique, followed by Botswana.
Clinton listed a number of required steps, among them the building of an open trading system, providing debt relief for Africa, supporting education, fighting disease and contributing to the end of conflicts.
