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U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PRESS RELEASE
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov
(202) 712-43202000-117
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 4, 2000Contact: Gabrielle Bushman
Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Members of the Mozambican Delegation, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of President Clinton I want to commend President Chissano for his leadership and that of his government, in responding to the recent disasters which have struck Mozambique.
By bringing to Rome those of us who have witnessed Mozambique's remarkable economic and political progress following years of civil war, you have allowed us to reaffirm our commitment to Mozambique's economic development.
The Mozambican Government has asked the donor nations and donor agencies to work with you to adopt a plan of action which 1) helps Mozambique to recover from the staggering blows it suffered beginning in February, and 2) continues the economic and social progress which many have referred to as the Mozambique Miracle.
I am pleased to announce here today that your voice has been heard in Washington. On April 21, President Clinton requested that the United States Congress provide emergency funding for Mozambique and other nations damaged by the floods in southern Africa.
Under the President's proposal, the Administration is requesting the Congress to provide $131 million in new resources for Mozambique's Post-Flood Reconstruction program. These funds are intended to help rebuild the vital commercial and business network and reconstruct road and rail infrastructure which links towns, villages, and farms to their supplier and their markets. Among the critical commercial links it will rehabilitate is the Limpopo Rail Line to Zimbabwe.
The United States is also committed to help rebuild Mozambique's social infrastructure, and will help repair and rebuild damaged and destroyed health clinics and primary schools.
I want to make it clear that President Clinton's request to the Congress is in addition to our regular ongoing bilateral program budget.
Finally, I would like to say that we admire the courage and resiliency displayed by the Mozambican people in these very difficult times. As Mozambicans start rebuilding their lives, the U.S. Government will work with you every step of the way.
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