South Africa would certainly reap economic and other rewards from the United States as a result of its sound governance, the US ambassador to South Africa, Cameron Hume, said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Johannesburg Press Club, Hume said the conviction that freedom, democracy and the rule of law were fundamental requirements for economic well-being had animated all the US’s major policy decisions towards Africa over the past year.
Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the position of the US government in this regard had been reinforced, he said.
”At this time one would expect a tendency to increase economic assistance to key countries in Africa with good governance, and to reduce assistance to countries with less commitment to democracy and the law.”
Nigeria and South Africa had been identified as ”anchor countries” on the African continent — secure countries that were leaders in trade, education, technology and other fields.
”I am equally convinced that South Africa’s unsinkable attachment to the values of human rights, democracy, freedom and the rule of law are a cornerstone of South Africa’s leadership role,” Hume said.
One of the USA’s main aims was to support South Africa’s economic development, and assistance programmes to further this goal were being expanded.
”I would cite education and job creation as two of the most important aims of our developmental assistance, both of which are crucial for South Africa’s democratic transition,” he said.
The USA was also committed to working with the South African government on questions of regional security, health, trade and the ongoing fight against crime.
Hume pointed out that the United States was the largest contributor to the United Nation’s Global Fund, which recently awarded over $100-million to South Africa for three separate health-related projects.
The USA viewed South Africa as ”a promising partner” and the Bush administration was confident that both countries stood to benefit from such a partnership, Hume said. – Sapa