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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release May 18, 1999

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

                  Presidential Mission Travels to the
                 Fifth African/African-American Summit

     President Clinton is sending a Presidential Mission co-lead by

Labor Secretary Alexis Herman and Reverend Jesse Jackson, Special Envoy for the Promotion of Democracy in Africa, to attend the May 17-21 Fifth African/African-American Summit being convened by Reverend Leon Sullivan in Accra, Ghana.

In addition to the 33-member Presidential Mission, expectations are that 5-6,000 people, and at least 14 African Heads of State, will participate in Summit activities which will focus on combating HIV/AIDS and strengthening U.S.-Africa ties in the areas of development, trade, and investment. The Summit's goals are complementary to President Clinton's pro-active Africa policy which is based on partnership and a stronger, closer relationship with the nations of Africa as we enter the new millennium.

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