**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: THERESA CALDWELL**

**Tuesday, July 8, 2003 202-225-0773**

**AFRICA DESERVES A "ROAD MAP"**

**Statement By Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.**

**"Today, President George W. Bush stood where countless Africans stood
before being sold into bondage and called slavery 'one of the greatest
crimes of history.' He 'talked the talk,' but will he 'walk the walk'
when it comes to truly addressing the modern-day needs of Africa? The
United States' periodic, nit-picking approach to problem-solving there
has not, and WILL not, work. We need a Road Map for Africa, crafted with
the same care that went into crafting a Road Map for the Middle East.**

**"A Road Map for Africa must overcome a nearly 400 year legacy of
unregulated business, investment and trade that gave us slavery,
colonialism and widespread human and economic exploitation. I introduced
such a plan four years ago, The HOPE for Africa Act of 1999. It was
based on [H]{.underline}uman Rights, [O]{.underline}pportunity,
[P]{.underline}artnership and [E]{.underline}mpowerment as the basis for
a new, respectful and mutually beneficial human and economic
relationship between the United States and the African continent.**

**"Unregulated business and investment, structural adjustment programs
built on debt service, is the status quo or worse. This formula has
given Africa wealth in the hands of a few, followed inevitably by ethnic
and tribal civil wars over food and economic security, undemocratic
regimes, and economic and political instability.**

**"I support bilateral, multilateral and international trade. I am no
economic isolationist or economic protectionist. However, I am clear
about our need to establish a new principle that should underlie EVERY
trade bill in the United States---trade benefits must be shared widely
by the majority of the common working people in every participating
society. It must not just benefit the business, financial, and political
interests of an elite few.**

**"Business and investment in Africa are also critical. Our African Road
Map must ensure the average African worker a minimum wage. Workers
should also have rights, including the right to organize for their own
protection and economic security, to work in safe and healthy
conditions, and protect the environment at the same time. Business
development and economic growth must be sustained, so the common people
of Africa might be able to work their way out of poverty with dignity.**

**"The U.S. must provide trade remedies that can be embraced by
both working Americans and working Africans because it raises the living
standards of both. Average workers on both continents will be able to
buy the goods and services that they produce, strengthening the economy
immediately and into the future.**

**"First, the Road Map should affirm each African nation\'s right to
economic self-determination. It must be built on the principles and
goals developed by African finance ministers in cooperation with the
Organization for African Unity, and with input by African workers\'
organizations.**

**"Second, the Road Map should offer a solution to Sub-Saharan Africa\'s
crushing, multi-billion dollar debt through comprehensive debt
forgiveness. Excluding South Africa, with upwards of 20 percent of
Sub-Saharan nations\' export earnings going to debt service, few
resources are left to devote to development and urgent needs.**

**"Third, the Road Map should be even farther reaching than the planned
\$15 billion African AIDS initiative championed by the President. It
must address the AIDS crisis by replenishing and targeting assistance
from the Development Fund for Africa for AIDS education and treatment
programs; making it U.S. policy to assist Sub-Saharan African countries
in efforts to make needed pharmaceuticals and medical technologies
widely available; and prohibiting the use of U.S. funds to undermine
African intellectual property and competition policies that are designed
to increase the availability of medications. Since the beginning of the
AIDS epidemic, 83% of AIDS deaths have occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa.**

**"Fourth, the Road Map should restore Africa\'s budget line item for
foreign aid with a set guaranteed amount, not to decline below 1994
levels. This would restore parity for Africa with U.S. foreign aid
treatment of other vital regions. Currently, Africa is the only region
without a line item in the budget.**

**"Finally, former President Clinton said we must put a new and human
face on trade. That still has not been done. The new face must be based
on a new foundation. The policies regarding Africa that the Congress
sets now will deeply affect the economic future of the continent and,
thus, the future of the African people for decades to come. With such
high stakes, it is vital that we get the policy right."**

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