America Strikes Back: President Bush Speaks to African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush is now speaking in Washington. A short time ago, we heard Colin Powell, the secretary of state, but at this time, the president has entered the room. This is the African Growth and Opportunity Forum in Washington. We'll pick up the tail end here of Colin Powell and his introduction of the president.</s>COLIN L. POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: The fact is that we're all living in a new century. An increasingly globalized world is before us. And the leader I'm about to present to you believes that, despite the terrorism we have seen in recent weeks, this is a very promising time, indeed for America, indeed for Africa and for the world. This is an era of growing political and economic freedom, an era of partnership and an expanding world economy. A successful entrepreneur himself, the man I'm about to introduce, believes that the greatest thing governments can do is to unleash -- unleash -- the creative energies of their private sectors. He believes that what this forum is about, and what the African Growth and Opportunity Act was all about, are profoundly important in unleashing the creative energies of the private sector and of the men and women of Africa. He believes that by history and by choice, African matters deeply to America. And he has made Africa a priority. He may be leading a global war against terrorism, but he is here today to underscore just how high a priority Africa is for him and for his administration. He believes as strongly as you do in the future of Africa. And he is determined that Americans work as partners with all of you to build that future. And so ladies and gentlemen, it is my high honor and distinct privilege to present to you a true friend of Africa, the president of the United States, George W. Bush.</s>GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you all. Thank you very much.</s>BUSH: I appreciate the three members of my Cabinet who are on the stage with us today, members who represent trade and economic activity and economic development, people who join me in my commitment for a freer world and a prosperous Africa. I want to thank Secretary of Treasury O'Neill, Secretary of Commerce Evans, and U.S. Trade Representative Zoellick for being here as well. Thank you all for coming.</s>BUSH: From Nigeria to South Africa, African nations have made great strides -- great strides -- toward democracy. The democratic transitions of the last decade mean that a majority of Africans now live in democratic states. That is progress we will praise and progress we must work hard to continue.</s>HEMMER: At the State Department, President Bush talking with African leaders assembled there, emphasizing a strong need for economic and political leadership, saying at one time he urges patient work of building a world that trades in freedom -- this in light of events of September 11. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com