Speaking to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week, William R. Steiger pointed to the recent visit by the First Lady, Laura Bush, the signing of the Millennium Challenge Compact in July, under which Mozambique is to receive development aid of over 500 million dollars, and the visit of US Health Secretary Michael O. Leavitt, as signs of the good relationship that has developed.
Steiger was nominated for the post of Ambassador to Mozambique by President George W Bush in January, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is considering whether to support that nomination.
Steiger had high praise for Mozambique over the past 15 years, which has seen "real democratic advancement". The country has also enjoyed "remarkable economic growth by pursuing policies that have earned it the respect and support of international financial institutions".
The ambassador designate pointed out "despite remaining one of the world's poorest countries, Mozambique's Gross Domestic Product per capita has more than tripled since the conclusion of the peace accords" (signed between the government and the Renamo rebels on 4 October 1992).
He did not hide the huge challenges facing the country, pointing out that it must "aggressively address the devastating reality of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases".
Supporting the health of the population is at the heart of US-Mozambique relations. Mozambique is currently one of only two countries in the world that is a focus country for both the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) and has also signed a Millennium Challenge Compact.
The Millennium Challenge Compact will fund a $204 million water and sanitation project to provide clean drinking water and curb malaria. It also includes a $176 million project for road construction and rehabilitation.
Steiger brings with him experience in the field of health administration, having previously coordinated the international programs and policies at the US Department of Health and Human Services. He has also worked on the inter-agency steering groups for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the President's Malaria Initiative. He has served as the US representative on the Board of Directors of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The future ambassador praised Mozambique's growing international standing, stating that it is "taking its place as an important player in the world community". This includes Mozambique's deployment of its military units as part of peacekeeping operations.
SOURCE: AIM
