Administration of George W. Bush, 2001 / June 26

We affirmed that additional efforts to panded trade and investment between the combat the devastating effects of HIV/ two countries. AIDS and other infectious diseases are ur- We affirmed our mutual desire for a gently needed, and we renewed our com- peaceful, democratic, prosperous mitment to working together against them Zimbabwe, in which human rights and rule and the conditions that enable the diseases of law are respected. We agreed that a to proliferate. We agreed to support the dialogue between the Government of An- establishment and funding of the global gola and UNITA rebels on implementing trust fund for HIV/AIDS and other diseases the Lusaka Protocol offers the best promise as a unique public-private partnership to for peace. We affirmed our commitment bring needed resources to the battle against to progress toward resolving the conflict in these diseases through a multi-sector, inte- the Democratic Republic of the Congo grated strategy. (DROC) and agreed to cooperate on con- We pledged to work together to support flict resolution efforts throughout Africa. the launching of a new round of World President Bush looks forward to the op- Trade Organization negotiations and af- portunity to visit South Africa as part of firmed that we have many common inter- the effort to continue building and fostering ests, in particular the growth of agricultural the growth of our bilateral relationship and trade and a shared commitment to working promoting our shared agenda. together to bridge the digital divide in Afri- ca. Likewise, we confirmed our satisfaction that the African Growth and Opportunity NOTE: An original was not available for Act (AGOA) has produced positive results verification of the content of this joint state- in South Africa, and has already led to ex- ment.

Remarks at the Swearing-In Ceremony for Howard H. Baker, Jr., as Ambassador to Japan June 26, 2001

Senator Baker, you’ve drawn quite a Tennessee congressional delegation are crowd here to the White House. [Laughter] here. Mr. Vice President; Mr. Secretary; CIA Di- Thank you all for coming, and welcome. rector George Tenet, I believe, is here. Jus- Today we call upon one of America’s most tice O’Connor is here. Thank you so much valued statesmen to help be the keeper of for coming. The Ambassador from Japan one of America’s most valued friendships. is here. Thank you very much for being Howard Baker has held many titles during here, Mr. Ambassador, and your lovely the course of his long and distinguished wife. Madeleine Albright, I believe, is career. They include sailor, Senator, minor- here—Madam Secretary. Larry Eagleburger ity leader, majority leader, and White is here. Elizabeth Dole, I believe, is here. House Chief of Staff. In a few moments Senator, Elizabeth, thank you very much. he’ll add Ambassador to that list, and once The former Ambassadors to the country of again, America is very grateful. Japan are on the stage with us; they have All the former Ambassadors here are liv- been introduced. Members of the United ing examples of the very highest standards States Senate are here. Members of the of diplomatic excellence. And between them, Mike Mansfield, Walter Mondale,

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Tom Foley, and Howard Baker have accu- telligence and an uncanny ability to calm mulated over 100 years of elected office. the ship of state, even in days of crisis. [Laughter] That’s a lot of balloon drops. He comes from good stock. His grand- [Laughter] mother, Lillie ‘‘Mother Ladd’’ Mauser— Thirty-four of those years are accounted [laughter]—was Tennessee’s first woman for by Mike Mansfield alone. The Senator sheriff. [Laughter] His father and his step- began the tradition of high-level political mother both served in the House. He mar- figures serving as our Ambassador to Japan. ried into good stock, as well. He counts He held that post for more than 11 years, Senator Everett Dirksen and the grand old longer than anyone else. Japanese press man of the Grand Old Party, Alf Landon, calls these figures o-mono—the big guys. as fathers-in-law. And what the Prime [Laughter] Well, we’re all very honored to Minister is going to find out, he took an have the original big guy with us. extraordinary woman as a bride in Senator And by the way, Senator Thurmond, he Nancy Kassebaum Baker. informed me—with quite clear language— In the Senate, Howard Baker had a list that he is 4 months younger than you are. of rules for being an effective Senator. He [Laughter] called it the Baker’s Dozen. The list in- We send the very best people to Japan cluded: listen more often than you speak; because the United States has no more im- be patient; tell the truth, whether you have portant partner in the world than Japan. to or not; and finally, be civil and encour- Our alliance is rooted in the vital strategic age others to do the same. and economic interests that we share. It Well, these rules help explain why How- is the cornerstone of peace and prosperity ard Baker has made such a mark on Amer- in Asia. Today, this partnership is helping ican history. They are why he’s going to us tackle global problems, as well. keep making his mark for the years to I’m looking forward to welcoming the come. Prime Minister this weekend at Camp Congratulations. David. Together, we will explore ways we can continue to strengthen our security re- NOTE: The President spoke at 2:48 p.m. in lationship. We will talk about the Prime the East Room at the White House. In his Minister’s agenda for reforming and revital- remarks, he referred to Shunji Yanai, Japa- izing the Japanese economy. We’ll discuss nese Ambassador to the United States, and how our countries can work together on his wife, Toshiko; former Secretary of State realistic and effective responses to global Madeleine K. Albright; former Deputy Sec- problems such as AIDS in Africa and cli- retary of State Lawrence S. Eagleburger; mate change. former Senator Bob Dole and his wife, I will also tell the Prime Minister that former Transportation Secretary Elizabeth America’s 38th Ambassador to Japan is a Dole; and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi man of extraordinary ability, grace, and of Japan. The transcript released by the Of- good humor. In every post he has held, fice of the Press Secretary also included the Howard Baker has brought uncommon in- remarks of Ambassador Baker.

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