Republic of Botswana (19/6/05)

TAUTONA TIMES no 21 of 2005
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President

"I am convinced that our common endeavours must
be geared towards addressing South-South
inequities in the areas of trade, investment and
science and technology. We must begin by
arresting emerging trade inequities in the South
if we are to have the moral authority to demand
the speedy removal of trade imbalances with the
industrialized countries." - President Mogae at
Doha [D 1]

CONTENTS

A. Remembering June 14
B. Press Schedule
C. The Week That Was
D. Statements by:

1) The President at the 2nd South Summit in Doha (15/6/05)
2) The Vice President at the Botswana Investment Forum (13/6/05)

E. Press Office Forwarding:

1) Ministry of Local Government instructs
Gaborone City Council to obey Court Order (18/6/05)
2) "Promoting Development through Investment" (16/6/05)
3) Minister Skelemani returns from Kampala (15/6/05)
4) Botswana to host SADC Forum of Permanent
Secretaries of Heads of State and Government
(15/6/05)
5) Mogae flies to Doha after White House Mini-Summit (14/6/05)
6) Remarks by US President Bush in a Statement on
the African Growth and Opportunity Act (13/6/05)
7) Additional notes and forwarding

A. Remembering June 14

Last Tuesday marked the 20th anniversary of the
infamous June 14 1985 terrorist attack on
Gaborone by armed forces of the former Apartheid
regime. In terms of its death toll it was the
worst of a series of such aggressions that
Botswana suffered during the period.

The June 14 attack was this past week
collectively recalled in a series of events,
which were sponsored by the Association of South
Africans Living in Botswana (ASABO) with the
support of the South African High Commission.
Yesterday the South African Minister of Safety
and Security, Mr. Charles Nqakula, joined our own
Minister of Health, Mrs. Lesego Motsumi, at a
wreath laying ceremony at the graves of some of
its victims.

A common theme of the local June 14
commemorations has been the longstanding
solidarity that exists between the peoples of
Botswana and South Africa. This was reaffirmed
notwithstanding a pall that was cast in the
middle of the week by a criminal attack on the
home of South Africa's Deputy High Commissioner,
which has deeply shocked our community from State
House on down.

The events of twenty years ago can certainly
never be forgotten by those of us who were
present. Among the terror attacks victims was a
Somali computer programmer named Ahmed Geer who,
along with his Dutch wife, had some two weeks
earlier moved into a dwelling in a yard that also
accommodated an exiled South African student. The
young couple's motive for the move was simply
decent accommodation at an affordable rent.

In the aftermath of the attack this author's own
shock turned to anger when the South African
General Magnus Malan subsequently sought to
justify his forces murderous rampage to the press
by claiming that the homes that had been
destroyed were in fact training centres where the
Palestinian Liberation Organisation had been
instructing "ANC terrorists". In this cynical
hoax my humble Somali acquaintance was
posthumously transformed into a senior PLO
mastermind.

Many western, along with "liberal" South African,
journalists parroted Pretoria's lies. Although
the attack itself was reported around the world,
at the time virtually no outside journalists
bothered to take the three hour drive from
Johannesburg to Gaborone to speak with any one on
this side of the border. It was in this context
that a few days later this author in frustration
forwarded a letter to a number of periodicals
protesting their uncritical acceptance of the
Apartheid military's empty claims. It read in
part:

"...In the early hours of the morning last week I
was awakened by machine gun fire and mortar
shelling, the terrifying sounds of neighbours
being murdered in their homes by South African
death squads. In the days since I have also
witnessed the considerable effectiveness with
which the South African government has been able
to present to the Western news media its
disinformation about the nature and circumstances
behind its vicious attack.

"Pretoria claims that it was attacking terrorist
training facilities, that a Somali computer
programmer murdered by mistake was really a
member of the P.L.O., that two teenage girls,
both domestic servants to an Asian family, were
actually A.N.C. hand grenade specialists, that a
six year old boy and a seventy one year old man
were also security threats to the Apartheid
state...Here in Gaborone we know that the raid
victims were rich and poor, black and white,
locals, refugees, and expatriates.

"...Could it be that Botswana's non-racial
democracy and sustained economic growth have now
become too much for the racists to tolerate? Will
the makers of "Constructive Engagement" allow
this peaceful, but vulnerable, outpost of
political pluralism and private enterprise join
the long list of nations which over the past four
years have fallen victim to Pretoria's policy of
regional destabilization?...."

Twenty years later I still believe that as their
townships became ungovernable, Pretoria's
securocrats lashed out on June 14 because they
could no longer control their jealous rage at
this nation's then two decades of progress as a
non-racial democracy, which also played host a
vibrant community of Apartheid's exiles.

- Dr. Jeff Ramsay, Press Secretary to the President (19/6/05)

Contacts: Office Telephone: (267) 3975154 &
Facsimile: (267) 3902795. Cell: (267) 71318598.
E-mail: jramsay@gov.bw & jramsayop@yahoo.co.uk.

B. Press Schedule:

As always the events listed below, which
represent only those parts of H.E. the
President's schedule open in whole or part to
press coverage, are subject to change. When
possible and necessary, updates will be
forwarded. Members of the Press are also
encouraged to contact the sponsors of the various
events listed below for further programme details
and possible updates.

Monday (20/6/05): In the afternoon, at 15:00,
H.E. the President will receive a courtesy call
from (Retired) U.S. General Charlton Fulford, who
is currently serving as the Director of the
African Centre for Strategic Studies (from
Tuesday 21/6/05 the Centre will be holding a
"all-Africa Senior Leaders Seminar at the GICC,
with former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda
scheduled to deliver the keynote address).

Thereafter, at 17:00, President Mogae will
receive another Courtesy Call from delegates
attending a one day Forum of Permanent
Secretaries to SADC Heads of State and
Government. The opening of the Forum will be held
the same morning at the Gaborone Sun, from 8:30
AM, with opening remarks by the Permanent
Secretary to the President, Mr. Eric Molale [see
E 5 for more details].

Tuesday (21/6/05): In the afternoon, from 15:00,
H.E. the President is scheduled to receive the
credentials of the incoming Ambassadors of the
Republic of Turkey, Republic of Korea (South),
the Swiss Confederation and Democratic Republic
of Algeria, at State House.

Wednesday (22/6/05): In the afternoon, at 15:00,
H.E. the President is scheduled to give an
exclusive interview with BBC1 reporters as part
of a special feature on Botswana.

Thursday (23/6/05): In the morning, from 9:00 am,
H.E. the President will address and take part in
Exercise Thokgamo activities at the Maun stadium.
Hosted by the Botswana Defence Force, Thokgamo is
a joint military training exercise involving some
3000 SADC troops, which began on the 10th of
June. The Exercise, which has been assisted by
the French Re-enforcement of African Capabilities
in Peacekeeping Programme (RECAMP), has already
demonstrated the cooperative capacity of regional
armed forces, thus underscoring the SADC member
states' commitment to collective peace and
security.

Saturday (25/6/05): During the day H.E. the
President will be in Maputo, in order to attend
Ceremonies Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of
Mozambique's liberation from colonial rule.

Tuesday (28/6/05): In the morning, at 10:00 am,
H.E. the President is scheduled to give an
exclusive interview to BBC World Business Report.

Friday (1/7/05): Sir Seretse Khama Day Public
Holiday - During the afternoon H.E. the President
is expected to attend in the 10th annual Kabelano
Trust Football tournament and related activities.

Monday (4/7/05) - Wednesday (6/7/05): H.E. the
President is expected to travel to Sirte, Libya,
to attend the 5th Ordinary Session of the
Assembly of the African Union.

Saturday (16/7/05) - Tuesday (19/7/05): The
ruling Botswana Democratic Party will hold its
National Congress in Serowe.

Monday (18/7/05): In the morning, from 10:00 AM,
H.E. the President will attend the annual
President's Day celebrations, which will be held
this year in Kasane.

C. OP Press Coverage Highlights for the week ending Saturday 18/6/05:

Sunday (12/6/05): H.E. the President arrived in
Washington D.C., where he thereafter chaired
consultations with fellow African leaders ahead
of their collective meeting with the US President
George W. Bush. He also held a follow up meeting
with the President of Howard University on
potential partnership in tertiary education [E 6].

Monday (13/6/05): In the morning, H.E. the
President joined the Presidents of Ghana,
Mozambique, Namibia and Niger in a joint meeting
with the US President George W. Bush at the White
House. President Mogae subsequently spoke on
behalf of the five African President's at a White
House Press Conference and also at a Corporate
Council for Africa function. In addition he was
interviewed by the American Broadcasting
Corporation (ABC) World News Tonight, before
departing for Doha, Qatar to attend and address
the 2nd South (Group of 77 + China) Summit [E
6-7].

Elsewhere H.H. the Vice President opened a two
day Botswana Investment Forum in London [D 2] [E
3], while the Hon. Minister of Presidential
Affairs and Public Administration represented the
President at a meeting in Kampala convened to
consider proposed reforms to the African Union [E
4].

Tuesday (14-6-05): H.E. the President arrived in
Doha for the Summit; while both H.H. the
Vice-President and the Hon. Minister of
Presidential Affairs and Public Administration
returned to Botswana.

Wednesday (15/6/05): H.E. the President addressed
the opening session of the 2nd South Summit in
Doha [D 1].

Saturday (18/6/05): In the morning H.E. the
President returned to Gaborone on a scheduled Air
Botswana flight. Shortly thereafter, he was
briefed by the Hon. Assistant Minister of Local
Government and others on his Ministry's response
to the legal situation caused by the Gaborone
City Council's vote to defy a Court Order.
Following the briefing the Assistant Minister
issued a Press Statement [E 1].

D. Statements:

D 1) 15/6/05: STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY MR.
FESTUS G. MOGAE, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF
BOTSWANA, AT THE SECOND SOUTH SUMMIT OF THE GROUP
OF 77 AND CHINA, held Doha, Qatar:

Your Majesties
Your Royal Highness, the Emir of the State of
Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and Host
of the Second South Summit Chairman of the Group
of 77 and China, The Right Honourable Percival J.
Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica Your
Excellencies Heads of State and Government
Excellencies, Foreign Ministers Distinguished
Delegates

1.        Let me begin by expressing my gratitude
and that of my delegation to the Government and
people of Qatar for the warm welcome and
hospitality accorded to us since our arrival.

2.        The City of Doha has become a symbol of
our hopes and aspirations for a fairer and
equitable international trading system.  It was
here that Qatar hosted the Second Ministerial
Conference in 2001 which launched the Doha Round
of multilateral trade negotiations.  It was out
of that meeting that the Doha Development Agenda
was conceived.  It is befitting that we are
meeting here today to rekindle the spirit of
South-South co-operation.

3.        I also wish to congratulate you, Right
Honourable Patterson, on your assumption of the
Chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China.  I
assure you of my support throughout your tenure
of office.  We welcome your able leadership. We
are fully aware of your deep knowledge of,
commitment to, and brilliant eloquence in
articulating issues of interest to the South.

4.        Mr. Chairman, we are meeting here not as
a club of the poor but an integral part of
humanity that is concerned about the urgent need
to construct a more just and equitable world
order.  We are here not to glorify poverty and
under-development, but to collectively reflect on
how we can strengthen one another in tackling our
challenges.

5.        We have come to Doha not to condemn the
highly industrialized countries but to seek
realistic and practical solutions to the
challenges of our common future. We seek
constructive engagement and partnership with the
North. We need them and they need us.


6.        When we met in Havana in 2000 at that
maiden South Summit of the Group of 77 and China,
we agreed on a concrete plan, the Havana
Programme of Action as a tangible strategy for
strengthening South-South Co-operation.  The
Havana Programme of Action recognizes the
potential benefits of co-operation among
developing countries.  South-South co-operation
remains a potent tool for the advancement of our
interests.

7.        In the face of mounting global challenges
such as unfair trade practices, hunger, poverty,
HIV/AIDS, conflicts and terrorism, South-South
co-operation reinforces the spirit of self
reliance, interdependence and solidarity among
developing countries.  It has proved to be a
reliable vehicle for pooling together and sharing
best practices on development experiences in a
variety of fields such as scientific research,
ICT, human resource development, education and
training as well as university and college
exchanges.

8.        Five years after Havana, it is only
proper that we pause and reflect on progress
regarding the implementation of our agreed
commitments. We must individually and
collectively ask ourselves as to what steps we
have to take to further enhance South-South
co-operation.  I am convinced that our common
endeavours must be geared towards addressing
South-South inequities in the areas of trade,
investment and science and technology.

9.        We must begin by arresting emerging trade
inequities in the South if we are to have the
moral authority to demand the speedy removal of
trade imbalances with the industrialized
countries.  Recent studies have shown that whilst
it is urgent and indeed desirable to bring about
a more just global trading system, we should not
ignore the benefits that can be derived from
dismantling trade barriers between developing
countries.  While we must continue to demand open
access to the developed country markets as a
right, countries of the South must also fully
explore or utilize the potential for south-south
trade.

10.         In doing so the countries of the south
must never fail to recognize that we are at
different stages of development.  The advent of
the World Trade Organisation (WTO) regime is
already eroding the benefits that some of our
countries have for many years enjoyed under a
variety of preferential dispensations with the
industrialized countries.

11.         The United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development Secretariat (UNCTAD) has reported
that two thirds of South-South trade took place
in Asia, mainly driven by East Asia.  Africa for
many years has had the lowest share of global
trade.  This challenges us to work harder in
promoting export oriented growth and in
attracting investment.  It is imperative that
these trade and investment imbalances be
addressed if the new geography of international
trade is to have any real meaning to all of us.

12.         There is need for more investment by the
South in Africa to enable this region not only to
import from the rest of the world for
consumption, but also to develop a solid
industrial base, and to be able to export to
other markets as well.

13.        This is possible and achievable.  In
Botswana we already have concrete and effective
co-operation in many fields with a number of
countries of the South such as the People's
Republic of China, India, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia,
Singapore and Malaysia.

14.        In the fight against HIV/AIDS, we in
Botswana are deeply appreciative of the
commendable support and solidarity extended to us
by the Republic of Cuba.  President Fidel Castro
Ruz has assigned a contingent of health workers
of various professional qualifications to
buttress our frontline in the war against this
dreadful epidemic.  And they are doing a
marvellous job!

15.        Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, in
saying that we are at different levels of
development is not to negate the need to work
towards closer south-south cooperation in
international trade negotiations.  There can be
no doubt that as developing countries there is
more that binds us than that which divides us.

16.        In this respect, it remains important
that in taking our respective national interests
into account in multilateral trade negotiations,
we should, as much as possible, where
appropriate, seek common ground so as to fully
utilize our numerical strength and political
weight to advance our cause. At Cancun, Mexico in
2003 we stood together and clearly demonstrated
our solidarity and the strength we can muster to
protect our common interests.

17.        Mr. Chairman, education, science and
technology remain critical to the advancement of
any development agenda.  Our ongoing efforts to
strengthen south-south co-operation in this area
are commendable.  It is important that we
continue to increase investment in ICT and
promote sharing of ICT knowledge and
infrastructure among developing countries.

18.        We are pleased that some countries of the
South and in particular the Asian countries are
increasingly closing the digital divide. Asian
countries have made significant advancement in
the area of science and technology.

19.        This is a welcome development which gives
both hope and inspiration to African countries.
According to the World Bank and the Millennium
Project, Africa has only 18 scientists and
engineers per million population compared with 69
in south Asia, 76 in Middle East, 273 in Latin
America, and 903 in East Asia.

20.        Bridging the digital divide is therefore
as much a challenge within the South as it is in
north-south relations.  It is our hope that we
can count on the support and co-operation of our
friends in the South.  We look forward to the
World Summit on the Information Society to be
held in Tunis from 16-18 November 2005 to provide
further impetus to our efforts in this area.

21.        Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses,
Excellencies Heads of State and Government, we
are meeting today against a backdrop of
significant global developments that fully
justify and challenge the relevance of
south-south cooperation as a tool for advancing
the interests of developing countries.  During
the past ten years, we have been grappling with
the question of how to reform the United Nations
to make it more relevant and responsive to
current global challenges. When the organization
was formed in 1945 it had only 51 Members.
Today, the membership has not only increased to
191, but also the challenges the United Nations
face have dramatically changed both in scope and
complexity, demanding a more representative and
reinvigorated world body.

22.        Poverty, hunger, disease, environmental
degradation, terrorism, violence and conflict are
part of a litany of problems that beset our
world.  We must therefore consistently and
constantly remind each other that no single state
can face these challenges alone.  For small
States such as Botswana, we are convinced that
our interest can be enhanced in an atmosphere of
multilateral co-operation and tolerance within
the framework of a more inclusive, representative
and responsive United Nations.

23.        In this respect, we strongly believe that
the imperatives for reform are more pressing than
ever before.  This is why Botswana fully
subscribes to the African position and supports
the reform efforts by the United Nations
Secretary General.

24.        As a Group of 132 countries we
acknowledge that we have both the numerical
strength and moral authority but effective
political power rests with a small number of
countries.  The world needs to be persistently
reminded that democracy is not only desirable at
the national. International institutions and
organizations should also be more democratic and
representative of the will of their members.  In
other words there can be no logical justification
for democracy at the national level and
dictatorship at the international level.

25.        We look forward to the completion of the
Doha Round of trade negotiations preferably not
later that 2006.  However, we should not lose
sight of the development dimension of trade
during this Round. It took the Uruguay Round
about seven years, and throughout that period it
did not focus on the development dimension of
trade relations.  It is in our interest to ensure
that the Doha Round should be a genuine
development Round.  We thus remain hopeful that
the WTO Ministerial Meeting to be held in Hong
Kong in December 2005 will reach consensus on
this fundamental issue of interest to the
developing countries.

26.        Mr. Chairman, let me conclude by
reaffirming our abiding faith in South-South
co-operation.  We are here because we are
convinced that South-South Co-operation is
committed to fostering the spirit of
self-reliance, interdependence and mutual
solidarity. At the recent Africa/Asia Summit, I
stated that Africa is determined to provide
requisite leadership to her own development
agenda.  Today, I reiterate that fact.  Through
the African Union and its New Partnership for
Africa's Development, we have decided to take
responsibility for our destiny and to co-operate
with the rest of the international community in
transforming the political, economic and
industrial landscape of the continent.  It is
important that during this time of renewal, we
call for the consistent and assured support of
all.

27.        In exploring ways of strengthening
South-south co-operation, it is important that we
be pragmatic and measured by including in our
Plan of Action programmes that fall within the
realm of our control. We must adopt Plans that we
can implement without recourse to external
assistance.  In this regard, we should try by all
means to avoid creating more institutions that
will add strain to our already limited resources.

28.        Lastly, let us hope that industrialized
countries will seriously consider the outcome of
this Summit because it is in the common interest
of humanity.  It would be most unfortunate if our
call for partnership, co-operation and mutual
support would fall on deaf ears or simply
dismissed by cynics as the exhortations of the
South doing what they do best - talking.  Let the
world unite for peace and in the language of the
Charter of the United Nations by "promoting
social progress and better standards of life in
larger freedom." I thank you for your attention.

D 2) 13/6/05: WELCOMING REMARKS BY HIS HONOUR THE
VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA, LT.
GEN. S.K.I. KHAMA, AT THE BOTSWANA INVESTMENT
FORUM LONDON:

...Ladies and Gentlemen,

A very good morning to you all! I am delighted to
join you today at this Investment Conference,
whose theme is "Botswana: Africa's most
competitive hub". I am aware that last July some
of you gathered here in this venue, to witness
the launch of a report entitled "Investing in
Botswana". The report outlines a number of
investment opportunities that exist in Botswana
in various sectors of the economy. For those of
you who did not receive a copy of the report,
they are available at the information desk at the
entrance so please feel free to take one.

Trade and investment has evolved over the years
to command a vibrant and leading position in the
world economy. Countries throughout the world
striving for a lion's share of foreign direct
investment flows.

For over three decades Botswana has been one of
the world's best performing economies. The Africa
competitiveness Report 2004, produced by the
World Economic Forum, ranks Botswana number one
in Africa in terms of growth and competitiveness,
with sustained economic growth averaging 6.4%
annually over the past five years. This
achievement is attributed to a combination of
various factors including good governance,
accountability, democratic principles, political
stability, an educated workforce, and sound
investment in social and physical infrastructure.

The United Kingdom is Botswana's main trading and
investment partner, as well as Botswana's largest
foreign investor, with nearly one billion pounds
sterling worth of trade and services moving
between our two countries each year. To date,
over 70 UK corporations and small companies have
invested in Botswana. This level of investment,
however, needs to be further strengthened.

We welcome the initiative by the United Kingdom,
as (rotating) head of the European Union, to put
Africa at the top of the agenda and to deepen the
UK's trade relationships with all countries of
the region through steps tailored to individual
countries level of development. Its aim is to
provide an economic stimulus to the region in
order to assist development that will enable
free, dynamic economies to raise standards of
living.

This step-by-step approach involves has several
aspects including the active support for World
Trade Organisation Membership, expanded market
access to the European Union through economic
partnership agreements, and a commitment to
pursue additional trade and investment agreements.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I cannot overemphasise the
importance of small and medium scale businesses.
Small, medium and micro enterprises represent
over 80% of the industrial enterprises of most
developing countries and have served as engines
of growth in every economy. There role in
building a solid industrial base is very
significant as they represent a high potential
sector for employment generation and a source of
livelihood to millions of people in not only
developing countries, but developed countries as
well. Many developed economies owe their
industrialisation to small and medium scale
enterprises, notably including the United Kingdom.

While achievements in this sector are many it is
also interesting to note that the process of
globalisation and new developments in information
and communications technologies have impacted
heavily on small and medium scale enterprises to
a greater extent than larger multinational
corporations. Indeed these strides have brought
about mixed reactions and adjustments. On the one
hand they have created problems for the
"not-so-innovative" enterprises. On the other
hand they have opened up boundless new
opportunities to innovative ventures.

Later today and tomorrow, our minister of Trade
and Industry, Mr. Neo Moroka, will have an
elaborate discussion on Botswana's policies
pertaining to small and medium scale enterprises.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Botswana Government is
enacting a programme of diversification to
encourage investment in a wider range of sectors
and it is my wish that this two-day Conference,
through its plenary and parallel sessions,
promote Botswana as a destination for foreign
direct investment, highlighting investment
opportunities being fostered by Government.

The programme indicates that you will be
addressed by various speakers including the
minister of Minerals, Energy and Water resource,
Mr. Charles Tibone and Mr. Joshua Galeforolwe,
the CEO of the Public Enterprises Evaluation and
Privatisation agency. Tomorrow there will be
parallel sector-specific sessions led by various
captains of industry covering mining and energy,
agriculture, financial services, manufacturing,
tourism and information and communications
technology.

I am quite certain that you will have access to
up-to-date information and will be able to
constructively engage with those representing
industry in Botswana and those investing in the
sub-region. I thank you for your attention.

E. OP Press Office Forwarding:

E 1) 18/6/05: Ministry of Local government
instructs Gaborone city Council to obey Court
Order:

Forwarded below for your convenience please find
a Press Statement that has been issued this
afternoon by the Assistant Minister of Local
Government. Any further enquiries on the
substance of the document should therefore be
directed to the Ministry of Local Government:

Ministry of Local Government - Press Release:

The attachment of the fleet of vehicles used by
the Gaborone City Council pursuant to a Court
Order has been widely reported in the Press. The
Court Order is for an amount in excess of P 20
million, which is payable by the City Council to
Daisy Loo Botswana for bush clearing services
rendered.

The Court Order followed an Arbitration, which
made an award in favour of Daisy Loo.

The application for a Court Order was not opposed by the Gaborone City Council.

The Ministry has now been informed that the City
Council has met and has resolved not to honour
the Court Order, on the basis that the contract
awarded to Daisy Loo was irregular. The Council
has taken this decision despite being clearly
advised that in terms of the law the Court Order
has to be obeyed.

I share the Council's concern over the
circumstances on which such a contract would have
ever been signed and such a huge debt incurred. I
have, therefore, ordered that a full
investigation should be instituted into the award
of the contract.

It should be noted, however, that this Government
respects the Rule of Law and has consistently
required that Court Orders should be fully
obeyed. I have accordingly instructed the Council
in terms of Regulation 115 (2) of the Town
Council Regulations to make payment of the amount
reflected in the Writ of Execution. This will
result in the release of the Gaborone City
Council's fleet of vehicles so that proper
services for the rate payers of Gaborone can
continue.

Further action on the matter will depend on the
outcome of the investigation, which I have
instituted.

I must here also express my extreme concern that
the full Council of the Capital City has gone so
far as to resolve not to honour an Order of the
High Court even though the Order itself was not
contested by the Council.

This act is of all the more concern given that
the legal implications of the Council's
resolution vis-à-vis the Court Order was raised
at the meeting and that in this context the
Council was advised that Resolutions of Council
are decisions like any other that may be arrived
at during the conduct of Council business and are
subject to a conventional or trite rule that such
decision could only be valid if they are lawful.
Decisions or resolutions are, therefore, lawful
and implementable only if they do not contravene
any lawful authority.

In the context of the issue at hand the Gaborone
City Council has been served with a Writ of
Execution, which is a legal instrument of a Court
Order that must be obeyed.

In the above context, the steps I have taken will
remedy the immediate legal situation. I hope that
such a thing will never happen again in Gaborone
or elsewhere.

Signed,

(Ambrose Basipo Masalila)

Assistant Minister

E 2) 16/6/05: From: Commonwealth News and
Information Service (London) - "Promoting
Development Through Investment in Botswana":

The Government of Botswana is keen to work with
foreign investors to promote development and
ensure sustainable exploitation of the country's
natural resources.

Charles Tibone, Botswana's Minister of Minerals,
Energy and Water Resources, said: "We are looking
for development partners with the necessary
financial and technical capabilities to work with
us under our progressive and investor friendly
laws, policies and fiscal regimes."

Mr Tibone was addressing an investment forum held
at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, UK, on
14 June 2005. He stated that Botswana has a lot
to offer to minerals investors. "We have
excellent geological prospects, world-class
mining laws, and a good and stable social,
economic and political environment. We have free
access to crucial geological information as well
as a fiscal environment that allows for
repatriation of investors' profits."

While Botswana is known predominantly as a
diamond mining country, producing 31 million
carats in 2004, Mr Tibone said it is also rich in
other minerals such as gold, copper, nickel, as
well as coal, with an estimated 200 million
tonnes' worth of deposits in the country. He
stated that Botswana, which imports two-thirds of
its power needs from South Africa, is expected to
face a power shortage in 2007. This opens up
opportunities for investments in coal mining and
power generation.

Peter Siele, Botswana's Assistant Minister of
Agriculture, said the country's agricultural
sector, which is largely untapped, offers
investment opportunities in animal husbandry,
game farming and agro-processing of animal
products, fruits, vegetables and grains such as
sorghum, maize and millet. Botswana is currently
exporting beef and ostrich products to
neighbouring countries and to the European Union.

The lack of competition in the food production
business in Botswana, coupled with a stable
workforce and growing economy, are factors that
have made the country a good place to do
business, according to Peter van Wyk, Chief
Executive Officer of Bokomo Botswana. Mr van Wyk,
who shared his views at the investment forum,
said his company has a successful range of
businesses in Botswana, which includes the
processing of agricultural foodstuff such as
maize and wheat, and the distribution of dried
food products.

Dr Philip Bacon, Director of UK-based Nature
Bureau, stated there are profits to be made in
the exploration of minor crops such as the
hyphaene palm that is commonly found in Botswana.
He said this palm is used to make baskets, which
is good for the handicrafts industry that
supports tourism and the export sector. Dr Bacon,
a forestry expert, added that there are other
plant species in Botswana which can be used in
the production of cosmetics, soap and flavouring.
For Dr Bacon, the forests of Botswana hold a
wealth of opportunities.

E 3) 15/6/05: Minister Skelemani returns from Kampala Meeting

The Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public
Administration Hon. Phandu Skelemani returned
from Kampala, Uganda yesterday (Tuesday 14th June
2005), where he had attended a special African
Union Committee Meeting.

At the meeting he was joined by Botswana's envoys
to the African Union and to the Republic of
Zambia, Ambassador M. Moorad and High
Commissioner Z. Ntakhwana respectively.

The Meeting was held on 13th June 2005, pursuant
to the decision of the 4th Ordinary Session of
the Assembly of Heads of State and Government
held in Abuja Nigeria in January 2005 on
proposals tabled by the Great Socialist People's
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. At the Abuja Summit it
had been agreed to appoint a committee of Heads
of States or Government under the Chairmanship of
Uganda, also comprising Botswana, Chad, Ethiopia,
Niger, Senegal and Tunisia, in order to further
consider the Libyan proposals and submit a report
to the 5th Ordinary Sessions of the Assembly,
which is scheduled for July 2005.

The proposals tabled at Kampala called for the
creation of posts of the Ministers of Defence,
Foreign Affairs, Transport and Communications,
Foreign Trade and the cancellation of customs and
harmonization of customs tariffs among Member
States. The stated objective of these proposed
steps is to raise the profile of the Union and
otherwise expedite the continent's political,
social and economic integration so as to enable
it to be an important and effective global actor.

The meeting in Uganda was chaired by H.E. the
Ugandan President Museveni and was also attended
by the HE President Wade of Senegal, Chairperson
of the African Union Commission, former President
Konare of Mali, as well as other senior
representatives.

Besides the Libyan proposals the meeting received
additional proposals for the restructuring of the
African Union Commission from Senegal and Uganda.

The Kampala meeting considered all of the
proposals tabled and resolved to submit its
recommendations to the full Committee of the
seven Heads of State, who are expected to convene
a follow up meeting at the time of the July
Summit.

At the Kampala meeting it was further recognized
that the proposals were forward looking and in
line with the vision, mission and the ultimate
goal of the Unification of Africa. The meeting
further called for a sustainable process of
integration that would allow for common policies
and requisite portfolios to be put in place. In
this regard, the meeting recognized the vital
role to be played by regional organizations and
further encouraged those regions of Africa that
were best able to move forward with the formation
of political federations to begin to do so.

The meeting also recognized the importance of
strengthening the institutions of the African
Union. To this end it called for the
strengthening of African Union's international
representation so as to assist the Commission to
effectively execute its mandate. It further
recommended that all avenues including NEPAD
should be used to mobilize resources for the
development of infrastructure in Africa.

E 4) 3/6/05: Botswana to host Forum of Permanent
Secretary's of SADC Heads of State or Government
on Monday 20/6/05 at the Gaborone Sun.

Members of the Press are hereby informed that
this coming Monday, the 20th of June 2005,
Botswana will host a meeting of Permanent
Secretaries to SADC Heads of State and Government
(including Heads of Civil Service and/or Cabinet
Secretaries).

The one day forum will be held at the Gaborone
Sun from 8:30 am. At that time, members of the
Press may wish to cover the Opening Remarks by
the meeting's Chairperson, the Permanent
Secretary to the President Mr. Eric Molale.

Members of the Press are further invited to cover
a Courtesy Call by the senior SADC Permanent
Secretaries to H.E. the President, which will
occur at 17:00 at the Office of the President.

A theme for meeting will be "Harmonisation of
Productivity and Performance Improvement
Initiatives of the Public Service in the SADC
region."

The gathering will also look into the possibility
of institutionalising the Forum of Permanent
Secretaries of Heads of State and Government in
the SADC region.

Monday's agenda further include presentations by
the NEPAD and SADC Secretariats.

In addition to Botswana, delegations from the
following countries have so far confirmed their
attendance: Angola, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique,
South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

E 5) 30/6/05: Mogae flies to Doha after White House Mini-Summit

After an overnight visit to Washington D.C.,
where he joined four of his brother, African
Union, leaders to the White House for intensive
talks with the U.S. President George W. Bush,
President Festus Mogae departed for Doha, Qatar,
yesterday. At Doha he will join over eighty other
Heads of State and Government at the 2nd South -
South Summit. Below are separate reports on the
two Summits.

I. President Mogae at the White House Mini Summit

On Monday President Festus Mogae, along with four
fellow African Union leaders, travelled to the
White House for a friendly and frank meeting with
the U.S. President George W. Bush.  Also
attending the meeting were Presidents John Kufuor
of Ghana, Armando Guebuza of Mozambique,
Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, and Mamadou
Tandja of Niger.

Prior to the meeting, on Sunday evening,
President Mogae chaired a meeting of the African
leader, where they confirmed their common
understanding of the agenda.  (In accordance with
diplomatic protocol the other four leaders
deferred to President Mogae on the basis of his
seniority in office.)

At the White House, the five African Presidents
engaged the American President on issues of
economic development in the context of their
common commitment to NEPAD and support for the UK
sponsored Commission of Africa Report, which is
to be tabled at the upcoming G-8 Summit in
Scotland.

Also discussed at the meeting was the Bush
Administration's support for expanded trade
through the African Growth and Opportunity Act
(AGOA), the global struggle against HIV/AIDS, and
additional U.S. assistance in other areas through
the Millennium Challenge Account.

The meeting was immediately followed by a
briefing by President Bush, in the presence of
the five visiting Presidents, of interested
officials and guests, along with the press, at
the Executive Office Building (immediately
adjacent to the White House - the six Presidents
all walked together from the Oval Office to the
meeting room).

Among the top level Americans at the briefing
were the U.S. Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice,
the Assistant Secretary of state for African
Affairs, Constance Newman, the Senate Majority
Leader, Bill Frist, Congressmen Jim Kolbe,
Charles Rangel and Bill Thomas, the Global Aids
Coordinator, Randall Tobias, the Executive
Director of the Millennium Challenge Corporation,
Paul Applegarth, former House Africa Subcommittee
Chairman Harold Wolpe and Andrew Young.

In his remarks, President Bush affirmed that:

"We just had a great discussion. I consider these
men friends, I consider them to be strong
patriots of their respective countries, and I
consider them to be democrats...All of us share a
fundamental commitment to advancing democracy and
opportunity on the continent of Africa."

[Full text of Bush's remarks E 6 below].

In his statement the American President went on
to stress the importance of the African Growth
and Opportunity Act, observing that:

"AGOA is promoting democratic reform in Africa by
providing incentives for these nations to extend
freedom and opportunity to all of their citizens.
Under this law, African nations can obtain
greater access to our markets by showing their
commitment to economic and political reform, by
respecting human rights, tearing down trade
barriers, and strengthening property rights and
the rule of law, which is precisely what the
leaders of these five nations are doing....

"... Not only have folks in Africa benefited by
selling products in the United States; American
businesses, small and large, have benefited
through the opening of the African market, as
well. Across sub-Sahara Africa, economic growth
increased to an eight-year high. Real per capita
income increased by 2.7 percent, and this growth
is expected to continue in 2005. By creating jobs
and lowering prices and expanding opportunity,
AGOA is today developing benefits for Americans
and Africans alike...."

President Bush also said that the United States
was committed to expanding its efforts to relieve
hunger, reduce debt, and fight disease on the
continent, further stating that during the
meeting he had assured his African counterparts
that his administration was prepared to work
"harder and faster" to certify countries for
assistance through the Millennium Challenge
Account

On the global struggle against HIV/AIDS, President Bush added:

"... Fighting this terrible disease a top
priority of my administration by launching an
emergency plan for AIDS relief. Working with our
African partners, we have now delivered
lifesaving treatment to more than 200,000 people
in sub-Sahara Africa, and we're on our way to
meeting an important goal -- an important
five-year goal -- of providing treatment for
nearly two million African adults and children."

President Bush concluded by noting:

"I ask these Presidents to join us today is
because I applaud their courage, I appreciate
their wisdom, I appreciate them being such good
friends that they're able to feel comfortable in
coming to the White House to say, Mr. President,
this is going well and this isn't -- how about
working together to make this work better. That's
how we solve problems. We solve problems by
having a frank and open dialogue."

Following President Bush's remarks, President
Mogae addressed the Press, speaking on behalf of
the five. In this capacity he expressed the five
leader's appreciation for having been afforded
the opportunity to engage in a friendly and frank
dialogue with President Bush, saying that they
had had been a "very satisfactory exchange" on
such issues as debt relief and HIV/AIDS.

President Mogae further expressed the African
leaders' gratitude to the Bush Administration's
for its continued support of AGOA: "We are very
much satisfied with AGOA. We think that it has
done a great deal. We are happy that it has been
extended to 2015."

With respect to the Millennium Challenge Account,
President Mogae noted that the Presidents of
Ghana and Niger, in particular, had expressed
concern about delays in the certification
process, acknowledging: "We complained about
bureaucracy on that side."



President Mogae added that President Bush had
assured them that he regretted the problems and
expected that his Secretary of State, Condoleezza
Rice, would ensure improvement - "He turned to
her and said, 'She is going to take care of it.'"

President Mogae further observed that the African
leaders had also acknowledged that they too share
some of the blame for slowing the flow of aid:
"Sometimes we, ourselves, are not as prompt and
as diligent in following up some of these things
as we should be."

At the gathering President Mogae also confirmed
that Botswana was not, itself, eligible to
benefit from the Millennium Development Challenge
Account funding, as the country's per capita
income exceeded the $1,425 threshold: "We're
struck out because it says that we are not poor
enough, and yet we are poor."

In response to a question about post-election
violence in Ethiopia, President Mogae said he was
not in a position to judge the matter but noted
that that:

"On a whole they are trying to be democratic.
It's a multi-party democracy. The ruling party is
a coalition and the opposition is a
coalition...it's a democratic election taking
place and if some things are going wrong, it will
be a matter of regret."

Following the Press Conference President Mogae,
along with his four colleagues, attended a
luncheon of political and business leaders, along
with representative of the media, which was
organised by the Corporate Council for Africa.
There he once more spoke on behalf of the five,
outlining the morning's discussions.

Before leaving for Qatar, President Mogae also
gave an exclusive interview to the American
Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) World News.

II. The Doha Summit

Later today President Mogae will arrive in Doha,
Qatar, where he will attend the 2nd South - South
Summit. The gathering, which brings together the
members states of the Group of 77 plus China, is
expected to focus on the promotion of greater
international co-operation for development, more
especially in the areas of trade and finance.

In anticipation of this September's Millennium
Summit to be held in New York City, the Doha
meeting is also expected to seek consensus among
the so-called developing countries on reform of
the United Nations, including an expanded
Security Council. Under the chairmanship of
Botswana the African Union has already forged a
common position around the demand for two
permanent and five rotating seats on the Council.

President Mogae is expected to address the Summit tomorrow.

The Group of 77 is a coalition of developing
nations that was established in 1964 to promote
its members' collective economic interests, while
creating an enhanced joint negotiating capacity
within the United Nations. The movement derives
its name from the fact that its founding
membership stood at 77, but the organization has
since expanded to 133 member countries, including
Botswana.

E 6) 13/6/05: Forwarded from White House Press
Secretary's Office: Remarks by President Bush in
Statement on the African Growth and Opportunity
Act"

WASHINGTON, June 13 / The following are remarks
by President Bush in statement on the African
Growth and Opportunity Act:

Thank you all for coming. Welcome to the White
House. I want to thank the five Presidents who
are with us today: President Mogae of Botswana,
President Kufuor of Ghana, President Guebuza of
Mozambique, President Pohamba of Namibia, and
President Tandja of Niger.

We just had a great discussion. I consider these
men friends, I consider them to be strong
patriots of their respective countries, and I
consider them to be democrats.

I want to thank Secretary of State Condi Rice for
joining us today, and she was in the discussions
we had earlier. I'm honoured that the members of
the Diplomatic Corps have joined us. I thank the
ambassadors for being here. I appreciate members
of the Congress being here: Senator Bill Frist,
the Majority Leader is with us; Congressman Bill
Thomas; Congressman Charlie Rangel of the Ways
and Means Committee -- two fine members and I
appreciate you being here as a symbol of unity
and support for the -- (laughter and applause) --
for moving the trade agenda forward. I appreciate
Congressman Jim Kolbe from Arizona for being
here, as well. Thank you all for coming, really
are honoured you're here and I know the
Presidents are, as well.

All the Presidents gathered here represent
countries that have held democratic elections in
the last year. What a strong statement that these
leaders have made about democracy and the
importance of democracy on the continent of
Africa. All of us share a fundamental commitment
to advancing democracy and opportunity on the
continent of Africa. And all of us believe that
one of the most effective ways to advance
democracy and deliver hope to the people of
Africa is through mutually beneficial trade.

That was certainly the idea behind the African
Growth and Opportunity Act, a bipartisan act, an
act of the United States Congress that recognized
this fact. You see, AGOA is promoting democratic
reform in Africa by providing incentives for
these nations to extend freedom and opportunity
to all of their citizens. Under this law, African
nations can obtain greater access to our markets
by showing their commitment to economic and
political reform, by respecting human rights,
tearing down trade barriers, and strengthening
property rights and the rule of law, which is
precisely what the leaders of these five nations
are doing.

Because AGOA is producing results, I've twice
signed into law provisions that build on its
success and extend its benefits long into the
future. My predecessor worked with the Congress
to get the law passed, I have been honoured to
work with the Congress to extend the good law.
And the reason why I feel confident in going to
the Congress is because it has worked. It's a
good piece of legislation that has made a
difference in people's lives.

In 2004, we saw dramatic evidence of the results
that this new engagement between the United
States and Africa is helping produce. Last year,
exports to the United States from AGOA nations
were up 88 percent over the year before, and
non-oil exports were up by 22 percent. In other
words, we pledged to open our markets, we have
opened our markets, and people are now making
goods that the United States consumers want to
buy. And that's helpful. That's how you spread
wealth. That's how you encourage hope and
opportunity.

Over the same period, interestingly enough, U.S.
exports to sub-Sahara Africa were up 25 percent.
In other words, this is a two-way street. Not
only have folks in Africa benefited by selling
products in the United States; American
businesses, small and large, have benefited
through the opening of the African market, as
well. Across sub-Sahara Africa, economic growth
increased to an eight-year high. Real per capita
income increased by 2.7 percent, and this growth
is expected to continue in 2005.

By creating jobs and lowering prices and
expanding opportunity, AGOA is today developing
benefits for Americans and Africans alike, and
that's important for our fellow citizens to
understand. Trade is beneficial for the working
people here in America, just like it's beneficial
for people on the continent of Africa.

We will continue to work for policies that build
on these impressive results. In December, I
announced that 37 African countries are now
eligible for AGOA benefits, and next month in
Senegal, senior ministers from my administration
will meet with government ministers from these 37
AGOA nations to build on this progress. These
representatives will be joined by hundreds of
American and African businesses and private
organizations who will discuss ways to promote
development and strengthen civil society.

As we expand our trade, the United States is
committing to expanding our efforts to relieve
hunger, reduce debt, fight disease on the African
continent. One thing we discussed was the
Millennium Challenge Account, and I assured the
leaders we will work harder and faster to certify
countries for the MCA, so that MCA countries, and
the people in the MCA countries, can see the
benefit of this really important piece of
legislation and funding.

I also announced last week that the United States
will provide about $674 million of additional
resources to help alleviate humanitarian
emergencies in African nations, especially the
growing famine in parts of Africa. On Saturday,
we also announced an agreement worked out through
the Group of Eight Industrialized Nations that
will cancel $40 billion in debt owed by 18 of the
world's poorest nations, including 14 in Africa.
The countries eligible for this relief are those
that have put themselves on the path to reform.
We believe that by removing a crippling debt
burden, we'll help millions of Africans improve
their lives and grow their economies.

Finally, one of the greatest causes of suffering
in Africa is the spread of HIV/AIDS. I appreciate
Randy Tobias being here. I made fighting this
terrible disease a top priority of my
administration by launching an emergency plan for
AIDS relief. Working with our African partners,
we have now delivered lifesaving treatment to
more than 200,000 people in sub-Sahara Africa,
and we're on our way to meeting an important goal
-- an important five-year goal -- of providing
treatment for nearly two million African adults
and children.

The United States of America is firmly committed
to working with government to help fight the
pandemic of AIDS. It is -- this crisis is one
that can -- that can be arrested. And I want you
all to know that when America makes a commitment,
we mean what we say, and this government means
what it says, and this Congress means what it
says, and we'll work together to fight HIV/AIDS.

These are just some of the initiatives that we're
pursuing to help Africa's leaders bring democracy
and prosperity and hope to their people. The
reason

I ask these Presidents to join us today is
because I applaud their courage, I appreciate
their wisdom, I appreciate them being such good
friends that they're able to feel comfortable in
coming to the White House to say, Mr. President,
this is going well and this isn't -- how about
working together to make this work better. That's
how we solve problems. We solve problems by
having a frank and open dialogue.

We believe Africa is a continent full of promise
and talent and opportunity, and the United States
will do our part to help the people of Africa
realize the brighter future they deserve.  Again,
I'm honoured you all are here. Thank you all for
coming. May God bless you all.

E 7) Additional notices and forwarding from 12-19/6/05:

* "Developing nations end summit in Doha" (18/6/05)
* Ministry of Minerals, Energy & Water Resources
Statement in response to Sunday Standard articles
(17/6/05)
* President to meet SADC Permanent Secretaries of
Heads of State and Government on Monday at 17:00
(18/6/05)
* "Doctor works to revolutionise Africa's fight against AIDS" (16/6/05)
* "Collaboration marks Second South Summit" (15/6/05)
* Botswana to host SADC Forum of Permanent
Secretaries of Heads of State and Government
(15/6/05)
* World Bank to Support SADC Groundwater Project (15/6/05)
* World Bank President Wolfowitz on Africa (15/6/05)
* "Doha Summit wants wealthy countries to meet aid target" (15/6/05)
* Oppenheimer: "Africa Needs A Hand Up, Not A Hand Out" (14/6/05)
* Condeleeza Rice on AIDS in Africa (14/6/05)
* IPS: "African Leaders Complain of Red Tape" (14/6/05)
* Reuters/ABC: "Bush pledges to speed up aid" (14/6/05)
* AP: "Bush vows to speed up aid to poor nations" (14/6/05)
* AFP: "Bush links US AID to reforms" (14/6/05)
* Pictures of the Presidents in the Oval Office (13/6/05)
* White House Pictures of Presidents Mogae, Bush etc. (13/6/05)
* AP: Bush Hosts African Presidents (13/6/05)
* "Development issues to dominate South Summit" (13/6/05)
* "Bush to meet with 5 African Presidents" (13/6/05)