US gives Angola trade status

CRAWFORD, Texas – United States President George W. Bush has added Angola to the list of African countries that enjoy liberalised trade rules with the United States.

But on Tuesday he dropped the Central African Republic and Eritrea. Under a three-year-old US initiative, the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), Bush can pick and choose countries that receive the favourable trade treatment.Counting Angola, there are now 38 countries on the list.Angola’s quarter-century of civil war ended recently.Earlier this year, as he sought to muster support for the Iraq invasion, Bush tried to build closer ties to Angola, a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.American officials said Angola supported the US-backed resolution, but the measure was withdrawn without coming to a vote.Eritrea supported the Iraq war early this year, but was dropped from Agoa nonetheless.So was the Central African Republic, where outside analysts say personal liberties have been curtailed in recent years.Bush offered no specific reasons for taking his actions.- Nampa-APUnder a three-year-old US initiative, the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), Bush can pick and choose countries that receive the favourable trade treatment.Counting Angola, there are now 38 countries on the list.Angola’s quarter-century of civil war ended recently. Earlier this year, as he sought to muster support for the Iraq invasion, Bush tried to build closer ties to Angola, a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. American officials said Angola supported the US-backed resolution, but the measure was withdrawn without coming to a vote. Eritrea supported the Iraq war early this year, but was dropped from Agoa nonetheless. So was the Central African Republic, where outside analysts say personal liberties have been curtailed in recent years.Bush offered no specific reasons for taking his actions. – Nampa-AP