Joint Declaration By Clinton And Obasanjo

BOTH presidents agree to the following principles:

Shared strategic interests:

Both presidents agree that their countries share the common goals of promoting human rights and democracy, throughout Africa and the world;

"Democracy dividend:"

Both presidents affirm that democracy is a dynamic process and note that, after two centuries, democracy is still evolving, even in the United States. President Clinton praises the patience with which Nigerians have begun the long process of building credible, viable and strong democratic institutions. He notes that important benefits of the democratic process are within sight, although they may take some time to bear full fruit;

International debt:

Nigeria faces tremendous economic and financial challenges. The alleviation of Nigeria's external debt burden can facilitate its efforts to undertake economic reforms that will reduce poverty and spur economic growth. In that context, President Clinton reaffirms that the United States supports a generous Paris Club rescheduling for this year. Beyond this year, the United States would support positive consideration by the international financial community of debt reduction for Nigeria in a multilateral context, provided Nigeria makes meaningful progress on economic and financial reforms that can promote poverty alleviation and spur economic growth;

Regional security issues:

Regional instability - resulting in part from the situation in Liberia, the civil war in Sierra Leone, and the coup in Cote d'Ivoire and its deeply flawed transition back to democracy - are among the primary challenges to security in the region. President Clinton commends Nigeria for promoting democracy, political stability, for leading peacekeeping operations and providing other support, both within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and within the United Nations framework. President Clinton also acknowledges the sacrifices made by the Nigerian people in the pursuit of regional peace, and reaffirms the intention of the United States government to support regional peacekeeping and conflict resolution efforts in West Africa. The two presidents commend the government and people of Senegal for a peaceful, and indeed exemplary election and transfer of power. Both presidents welcome Nigeria's transition to an elected civilian government;

African security issues:

Both countries will continue to work to achieve lasting peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea in the Horn of Africa and a resolution of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Both presidents also agree to work bilaterally and within the framework of the Organisation of African Unity and the United Nations to help resolve the on-going civil wars in Sudan, Angola and Burundi. In particular, both presidents express their support for the efforts by former South African President Mandela to mediate a peaceful solution to the conflict besetting Burundi.

United Nations:

Both presidents express their support for the role of the United Nations, especially in the areas of collective security, peacekeeping and development activities. They further express their support for reform of the United Nations, as well as revision of the United Nations scale of assessments and undertake to work together toward these goals;

South Summit:

President Clinton welcomes the election of President Obasanjo as chairman of the South Summit, wishes him well for his tenure, and expresses his hope that the exchanges between the G-8 leaders and the South Summit leaders will build on the promising start made at the summit on Development Partnership in Okinawa;

Cooperation against narcotics and crime:

Both presidents agree that since the restoration of democratic rule in May 1999, Nigeria has made progress in combating international narcotics trafficking. The two presidents agree to cooperate on new measures designed to help reduce illegal drug trafficking and international criminal activity, and agree that international narco-trafficking is a crime which diminishes the welfare of both countries, and that drug cartels and dealers must face the reality that there will be no safe haven for them in Nigeria;

Poverty alleviation:

Both presidents recognise that poverty alleviation and job creation are vital to Nigeria's development and stability, and both will have a potentially positive impact on Africa as a whole. President Clinton states that the United States government will continue its policy of supporting development and other programmes in Nigeria through USAID and other forms of bilateral support;

Health issues:

Both presidents agree that the fight against infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, polio, and malaria, is of critical importance to the welfare and development of Nigeria and of Africa as a whole. President Clinton welcomes Nigeria's leadership on this issue and offers additional assistance in fighting these diseases. President Obasanjo announces that Nigeria will host in 2001 a major HIV/AIDS summit, similar to the April, 2000 Conference on Rolling Back Malaria, held in Abuja;

Agricultural self-sufficiency:

Both presidents highlight agriculture's key role in Nigeria's economic recovery and prosperity of Nigeria. President Clinton believes it is important for the United States to help Nigeria produce more, and more nutritionally valuable, food products through the application of modern technology;

Education:

Both presidents underscore the importance of education in the creation of viable democracies and prosperous societies. President Obasanjo praises the hospitality of the United States, which has welcomed so many Nigerians into its educational institutions, and expresses his hope that both countries will work together to build a modern and effective education system accessible to all Nigerians. President Clinton announces that the U.S will provide assistance to Nigeria's education section in the following: to improving civic education; developing entrepreneurial capabilities, building teacher skills, creating links between Nigeria and American universities; and expanding the Fullbright scholarship programme. President Clinton will work with Congress to provide additional assistance toward creating community-based resource centres to improve computer literacy and internet connectivity, and toward enhancing girls' education;

The environment:

Both presidents commit to working together to protect Nigeria's rich environmental heritage and improve environmental conditions, which will substantially improve the quality of life for all Nigerians. The two leaders also agree to enhance our cooperation on clean energy development and global climate change;

Cooperation on military reform:

Both presidents agree that improving the professionalism, skills, and welfare of the Nigerian Armed Forces and ensuring their commitment to the civilian control of the military is critical to Nigeria's democratic transition. The United States announces that it had begun training and equipping the first of five Nigerian Army battalions for peacekeeping operations, particularly in Sierra Leone, and is committed to continuing to provide other assistance to the Nigerian Armed Forces consistent with the promotion of human rights and civilian control of the military;

Transportation:

Both presidents welcome the resumption of direct air links between our nations, as well as the historic signing of the Open Skies Agreement. They welcomed the resolution of issues of concern to the U.S Federal Aviation Administration regarding airport security at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and discussed ways in which direct air links could be enhanced;

Telecommunications and infrastructure:

Both presidents pledged to work together to facilitate the improvement of Nigeria's telecommunications networks and infrastructure. The United States and Nigeria recognise that the speed and level of improvement in Nigeria's infrastructure will in large part determine the ability of the Nigerian economy to diversify and grow, and will have an impact on Nigeria's democratic stability;

Private investment and trade:

President Obasanjo welcomes the recent enactment of the Trade and Development Act of 2000, which will foster trade between Africa and the United States. Both presidents urge the Lagos Stock Exchange to bring its practices in line with those of other major financial markets to encourage domestic and international investment.