Washington, D.C. — Structuring relations with Washington and the Millienium Africa Recovery Plan (MAP), top the agenda of South African president Thabo Mbeki who begins a 3-day working visit to the United States Monday evening. "We need to take stock of our bilateral relations and look ahead," said Foreign Affairs Deputy Director-General Ndumiso Ntshinga of Mbeki's trip.
In march, Secretary of State Colin Powell told the House International Relations Committee that the U.S.-South Africa binational commission created during the Clinton administration -- one of six or seven created -- and chaired by then-vice president Al Gore did not "fit the leadership model" of President George Bush.
South African officials like Ntshinga think that something signaling South Africa's special relationship with the United States is needed and will be working hard over the next three days to fashion an appropriate instrumemnt. At the State Department, however, many foreign service officers feel that the commissions are political instruments that often get in the way of what they consider serious and meaningful foreign policy work.
Ntshinga gave no indication as to whether Mbeki was bringing a specific proposal, saying only that Bush and Mbeki needed to talk. "They will have to look at whether to have a fully fledged binational commission and whether we have perhaps passed that stage."
Regional conflicts in Angola, Zimbabwe and Congo are also high on the agenda for talks that will start in the Oval Office Tuesday and continue over lunch. He will also meet with Secretay Powell and the secretaries of Treasury and Commerce.
The two presidents have not met face to face since Mbeki paid a "courtesy call" on then-Governor Bush at his official mansion in Austin, Texas, shortly before he announced his candidacy for the US presidency. They are "still kind of getting to know each other better," says South African ambassador Sheila Sisulu, adding that "They have talked to each other on the phone."
Sisulu and Ntshina were more specific about their hopes for MAP. "We are looking with partnership with the U.S. on certain issues, including the millienium plan," said Sisulu. "This visit is part and parcel of the Millenium Africa recovery Plan." said Ntshinga.
Mbeki and the leaders of Algeria and Nigeria drew up the plan, which proposes to put Africa on "an accelerated development path." The MAP presents approaches to health, peace and security, intra- African trade and debt cancellation. It aims to foster the ability of African nations to play a greater role in tackling the continent's problems by forging a united front.
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Mbeki hopes to line up support for the MAP from the World Bank and IMF as well as the U.S. government, and then present the plan to both the OAU and the G-8 group which meets in Genoa, Italy, next month.
Although President Mbeki's visit coincides with a three-day UN summit on AIDS in New York, Mbeki -- who has been criticized for questioning the link between HIV and AIDS -- will not be attending the gathering.
In addition to his meetings with U.S. officials, Mbeki will also meet with Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Over the last few years South Africa has been involved in attempts to mediate in the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
Before returning to South Africa via Germany Thursday, President Mbeki will fly to Philadelphia where, in West Point, Pennsylvania, he will meet with the pharmaceutical giant, Merck & Company.
