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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release July 18, 1997

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

Fourth African/African-American Summit

The President is pleased to send a Presidential Mission headed by Transportation Secretary Rodney F. Slater and Reverend Jesse Jackson to the Fourth African/African-American Summit which will be held in Harare, Zimbabwe, July 20-25. Mission participants represent a cross section of high-level government officials, business leaders, non-governmental organization representatives, and religious leaders. Their active participation in this important event builds on our continuing efforts -- including the recent visit of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton to Africa and the announcement of the President's Partnership for Economic Growth and Opportunity in Africa -- to expand our economic and political partnership with Africa.

The Summit, convened by the Reverend Dr. Leon Sullivan and hosted by President Robert Gabriel Mugabe of Zimbabwe, will bring together an impressive group of African Heads of State, African and American business leaders and prominent private citizens. This Summit provides a unique opportunity to strengthen U.S. bilateral relations and forge new ties between American and African individuals and companies.

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