Republic of Botswana: Tautona Times No 28, 2007

Republic of Botswana (19/8/07): Tautona Times No 28 of 2007

The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President

"Our current level of implementation, however, falls short of the commitments we have made. This is the challenge with which I must leave you - in particular the challenge of fully realizing our timetable for regional integration." - President Mogae

CONTENTS:

A. Intro
B. The Weeks that should be
C. The Days that were

D. Statements by H.E. the President @:
1. A State Dinner for the Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau
2. The 15th Anniversary of JICA in Botswana
3. The SADC Heads of State Summit

And by H.H. the Vice President @:
4. The Handover of a House Project in Molepolole
5. The Official Opening of the Yarona Country Lodge

E. Notices and Forwarding
1. Botswana and Guinea-Bissau to build on past solidarity
2. FW: "Matter of Fact: Courtesy Call of Hon. Moupo to Right Honourable Martinho D. Cabi"
3. President Mogae arrives in Lusaka for SADC Summit
4. Mogae at SADC Summit (Day 2)
5. SADC Gender Protocol sent back for further consultations
6. President Mogae hosts Scouts
7. Additional Notices and Forwarding

F. Also:
1. "SADC Summit ends with commitment to democracy consolidation"
2. President Mwanawasa launches SADC Brigade

A. Introduction - Farewell Summit

Welcome to TT no. 28 of 2007. This week's edition focuses on H.E. the President's participation at the 27th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, which was held in Lusaka, Zambia [D3] [E3,4,5,7] [F1,2]. This will be the last Ordinary Summit he will attend as a serving Head of State.

As is partially reflected in his farewell statement to his colleagues [D3], His Excellency has been associated in one way or another with SADC since its early years as the Southern African Coordination Council (SADCC), when he was Permanent Secretary (1982-89) to the then President Sir Ketumile Masire. As Botswana's Minister of Finance and Development Planning (1989-98) and also Vice President (1992-98) he served as the Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers for nine years, prior to his becoming President.

Also included in this week's edition is further coverage of the two day Official visit by the Rt. Hon. Martinho Dafa Cabi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau [D1] [E1,2]

Our usual Statements section further features remarks delivered by H.H. the Vice President at the handover of a house project in Molepolole [D4] and at the Official Opening of the 100% citizen owned Yarona Country Lodge [D5].

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This editor would like to take this opportunity to thank the many TT readers for their messages of encouragement and support, which they forwarded over the past week, as we begin to work towards the establishment of new Government Communications and Information Systems to better serve our domestic and international customers. The GCIS team, which is still being put in place, shall be using its best endeavours to translate your hopes to reality. In realising this vision we also recognise that we shall need your partnership.

- Dr. Jeff Ramsay, Press Secretary to the President and Coordinator, Government Communications and Information Systems [19/8/07]

Contacts: Office Telephone: (267) 3975154 & Facsimile: (267) 3902795. Cell: (267) 71318598.

B. Press Schedule:

As always the events listed below, which represent only those parts of H.E. the President's schedule open in whole or part to press coverage, are subject to change. When possible and necessary, updates will be forwarded. Members of the Press are also encouraged to contact the sponsors of the various events listed below for further programme details and possible updates.

Wednesday (22/8/07): In the afternoon, at 1600 hours, at the Office of the President, H.E. the President will meet with Ms. Martha Chow of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (photo-op).

Thursday (23/8/07): In the morning, at 9:00 hours, at the Office of the President, H.E. the President will meet with Dr. Engelbert Guenster and Mr. Paul Stewart of Boehringer Ingelheim (photo-op).

Saturday (25/8/07): During the day, H.E. the President will attend the unveiling of the Tombstone of the Hon. Moutlakgola Nwako (1922-2002) at Mookane.

Wednesday (29/8/07): In the afternoon, from 15:00, H.E. the President will officially open the Commonwealth Parliamentary association Africa Region Speakers and Presiding Officers Workshop at the Mowana, in Kasane.

Friday (31/8/07): During the morning, from 9:00 hours, H.E. the President will chair a meeting of the National Aids Council, at Boipuso Hall. In the evening he will be the guest of Honour at this year's annual MISA Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony.

C. OP Public Press Coverage Events for the period 12-19/8/2007:

Sunday (12/8/07): In the morning the Prime Minister of Guinea Bissau, the Rt. Hon. Martinho Dafa Cabi, arrived to begin an Official Visit. H.E. the President and the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister met for Official Talks [TT27/07]. In the evening, from 19:00 hours, H.E. the President hosted a State Dinner for the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister [D1] [E1, 2].

Monday (13/8/07): In the afternoon, at 1500 hours, H.E. the President met with a business delegation from India. In the early evening went to the airport for the departure of the Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau.

Tuesday (14/8/07): In the morning, H.E. the President visited the "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" Movie Sets in "Kgalewood", Gaborone West. In the afternoon, he met with a Chinese investment group at the Office of the President.

Wednesday (15/8/07): In the morning H.E. the President's Message of Appreciation to the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was read out on his behalf at celebrations marking JICA's 15th Anniversary in Botswana (as His Excellency was in Cabinet) [D2]. In the afternoon, he departed for the annual SADC Heads of State Summit in Zambia [E3].

Thursday (16/8/07): During the day H.E. the President attended the opening sessions of the SADC Summit.

Friday (17/8/07): During the day H.E. the President attended day two of the SADC Summit, addressing the closing session [D3] [E4, 5] [F1, 2].

Saturday (18/8/07): In the morning, H.E. the President returned from the SADC Summit. Upon arrival he proceeded to Tlokweng to attend the installation of the Kgosi-e-Kgolo. In the late afternoon, he hosted a reception for members of the Botswana Boy Scouts Association at State House [E6].

D. STATEMENTS:

D1) 12/8/07: REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY MR. FESTUS G. MOGAE, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA AT A STATE BANQUET HOSTED IN HONOUR OF HIS EXCELLENCY MR. MARTINHO DAFA CABI PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF GUINEA-BISSAU.

[Salutations]...Ladies and Gentlemen

1. Your Excellency, it is a source of immense pleasure for me to welcome you and your entourage to our country on this your first Official Visit to Botswana.

2. On behalf of the Government and people of Botswana and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to extend to you and your delegation a very warm welcome. We are indeed honoured and privileged to have you as our guest.

3. I hope that you will, during your stay with us enjoy the warm hospitality of our people and carry home with you pleasant memories of your interaction with us. We are extremely delighted, Your Excellency, that despite your busy schedule, you have found time to honour us with this visit. We are particularly delighted that you chose Botswana to benchmark on issues of political and economic governance. We are very humbled by this gesture of friendship and solidarity and trust that we will not fall short of your expectations.

4. Your Excellency, Botswana and Guinea-Bissau enjoy cordial relations anchored on a rock-solid foundation of genuine friendship and mutual respect. We are united by shared values such as democracy, respect for human rights and a common desire to secure a better future for our people. We have collaborated together in many fora such as the United Nations, the African Union and the Non-Aligned Movement to promote these values and to achieve an equitable world economic and political order in which our voice can be heard and our interests and concerns taken into account. It is because of these shared values and commonality of interests that our relations have withstood the test of time.

5. Our relations, Your Excellency, go a long way back and can be traced back to the era of your country's liberation struggle. Botswana, against all odds, provided political support to your people's quest for freedom. It is important to recall that Botswana was among the first countries to recognize Guinea-Bissau as an independent sovereign state and also supported without reservation, her membership of the United Nations. We appreciate the difficulties that your country, Guinea-Bissau, has experienced since attaining her Independence and the extent to which they hindered your country's development efforts as well as the consolidation of peace and democracy. We believe, however, that no problem is insurmountable and that the Government and people of Guinea-Bissau, united in common purpose, can put their country back on a path of peace, stability and sustainable development.

6. We are inspired by the recent developments in your country which have demonstrated the resolute determination of the Government and people of Guinea-Bissau to achieve national reconciliation and restore political stability to their country. We commend the political parties for signing the National Political Stability Pact on the 12th of March this year, thus creating a conducive environment for national reconciliation and the creation of an all-inclusive government pending the holding of legislative elections in 2008. The Government and people of Botswana congratulate you and all other stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau for this encouraging development.

7. In your swearing-in ceremony on the 17th of April this year, you among other things, committed your Government to organising free, fair and transparent elections; place public finances on a sound footing; work towards implementing public administration and security sector reforms and to fight corruption and organised crime. This is indeed a mammoth task which calls for the support of the international community. We, therefore, note with appreciation the support that your Government is receiving from the United Nations and the European Union in particular, to assist you to address these challenges.

8. Your Excellency, we had very fruitful discussions this morning during which we exchanged views on different facets of governance and our own experience with regard to economic and political governance. Though to varying degrees, our two countries do have similar challenges like HIV and AIDS and unemployment, we can nonetheless still identify potential areas of cooperation for mutual benefit. The Government of Botswana is therefore ready, Your Excellency, to share its experience with Guinea-Bissau and to contribute, in whatever way possible, to your development efforts. I am confident that your Government's efforts will not be in vain and that Guinea-Bissau will not be renowned for her problems, but rather as a vibrant investment and tourism destination which enjoys peace and stability and is a land of opportunities.

9. In conclusion, allow me, once again, Your Excellency, thank you most sincerely for honouring us with this visit and to wish you a pleasant and memorable stay.

10. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, may I now ask you to rise and to join me in drinking a toast to;

* The continued good personal health of His Excellency, Joao Bernado Vieira, President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau;

* To the continued fraternal relations and solidarity between the Governments and peoples of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and the Republic of Botswana; and

* To international peace and security; PULA!

D2) 15/8/07: Message by H.E. the President on the Occasion of the 15th Anniversary of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Programme in Botswana
 
1. I am pleased to have this opportunity to express my personal gratitude to the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on the occasion of this their 15th Anniversary of serving the people of Botswana.
 
2. During this period Government, along with other institutions in our society, has benefited greatly from the constant support and cooperation extended to it by the over 220 JICA volunteers who have come here from Japan, mostly as young professionals. Collectively, they have been active in promoting and implementing technical cooperation in a great variety of fields.
 
3. Because of JICA's standing commitment to a grass-roots approach, its volunteers have been dispersed throughout Botswana, working in local communities. In this manner they have assisted us greatly in such diverse workplaces as schools, brigades, and technical colleges, institutes, hospitals and laboratories, as well as NGOs.
 
4. I am here pleased to also note that it is my understanding that during their, usually two year, stay in Botswana many JICA volunteers form a lifelong bond with our country, even after returning to their homeland. I believe that such ties are playing an important role in fostering greater mutual understanding and cooperation between Botswana and Japan.
 
5. On this occasion it is also important to recall that, over the past decade and a half, JICA has facilitated the participation of about 350 Botswana in the training courses held in Japan and elsewhere. These courses have covered a wide range of fields and issues from "Crime Prevention" to "Promoting Forest Eco-tourism".
 
6. I am happy to report that the products of these training programmes have returned with enhanced skills to play enhanced roles. Besides contributing to the upgrading of our human resource capacity, these exchanges have also promoted greater dialogue and understanding between our peoples.
 
7. Let me take this opportunity to also thank the Government and people of Japan for the generous Official Development Assistance (ODA) that has been disbursed to Botswana over the years. According to the statistics, up until the end of 2005, the total value of such assistance had US$ 170,000,000 (One hundred seventy million U.S. Dollar). This figure includes Japanese Yen Loans, Grant Aid and other forms of Technical Cooperation, including of course the presence of JICA volunteers.
 
8. Taken together the human and financial resource contribution Botswana has received from the Japanese Government has made an immeasurable contributed to our social and economical development.
 
9    On behalf of the government and people of Botswana, it is, therefore, my earnest hope that the partnership that have been built over the years between Japan and Botswana will continue.
 
10.  In conclusion let me once more thank the volunteers and staff of JICA as they celebrate their 15th Anniversary in Botswana.
 
D3) 18/8/07: STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY MR. FESTUS G. MOGAE, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA, AT THE 27th SADC ORDINARY SUMMIT, Lusaka, Zambia

[Salutations]...Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen;

1. I am happy to have been given this opportunity to address the 27th Ordinary Session of the SADC Heads of State and Government. I can only pity those who have already left as they will not have the opportunity to hear what the First Ladies, as well as myself, have to say.

2. Let me begin by congratulating you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the Chair of SADC. I am confident that under your able and wise stewardship, our Community will continue to advance. I also wish to thank you for the hospitality we have all received here in Lusaka; we have indeed felt at home.

3. I would also like to take this opportunity to further commend your predecessor, the Right Honourable Pakalitha Mosisili, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, for the diligent manner in which he guided the affairs of our Community.

4. Your Majesty, Excellencies, Dear Colleagues, as you may already know, my term of office as President of Botswana comes to an end on 31st March 2008. This will, therefore, be the last time I address an Ordinary Session of the SADC Heads of State and Government as a President. I wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for the cooperation that you extended to me, Dear Colleagues, during my tenure of office. I am confident that my successor will also benefit from your continued support and cooperation.

5. I am gratified to have had the privilege of serving my country and the region: first as chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers for nine years, when I was a Minister of Finance and Development Planning and Vice President, and, for the past decade, as a SADC Head of State.

6. I am satisfied that I will be leaving office at a time when our organization has reached some important milestones towards realizing the objectives and ideals envisioned by our founding fathers some twenty-seven years ago.

7. On the whole, the SADC region generally remains politically stable and peaceful. Significant progress has also been made in moulding SADC into a region that promotes security, democracy, good governance and, of course gender equity. Multi-party elections are now conducted in accordance with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.

8. The recent elections in the Kingdom of Lesotho, the
Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Zambia and the Republic of Madagascar bear testimony to this. It is gratifying that in all these countries, the elections were pronounced by the international community to be free and fair.

9. I am happy that today we launched the SADC Brigade which is expected to form part of the African Standby Force. This Force, as we all know, is an important component of the peace and security architecture of the continent as provided for in the Protocol establishing the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.

10. We appreciate the efforts by His Excellency President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, in facilitating political dialogue in the DRC, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, the political situation in the Eastern part of the DRC threatens to negate the gains already made towards finding a lasting solution to the problems in that country. I am confident, however, that with the support of the international community, the DRC will eventually overcome this setback.

11. Your Majesty, Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, as far as regional economic integration and trade issues are concerned we have not made as much progress as we had hoped. I have on many occasions expressed concern about the slow pace of regional integration, which among other things, can be attributed to the problem of multiple and overlapping membership of Regional Economic Communities.

12. We need to address this issue if we are to enhance and deepen regional cooperation and economic integration as envisaged in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP). Unfortunately, this overlapping membership is already impacting negatively on our relations with the international community, especially the European Union with which we are currently negotiating the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). After all, one of the objectives of our coming together was to stand together when we negotiated with others from outside the region. That this is not happening is a great pity.

13. The issue of multiple overlapping memberships of SADC countries in various regional economic communities will create a problem for the region in the long term, especially with regard to the creation of a SADC Customs Union by 2010.

14. It is not possible for a Member State to belong to more than one Customs Union. Under this scenario, that is the present scenario, it is highly probable that when SADC becomes a Customs Union in 2010, not all fourteen Member States will remain in SADC, which would be regrettable. It is, therefore, necessary for member states to decide where they belong. From my point of view I would like you all to belong to SADC!

15. Reference has been made to the membership of some countries including Botswana to the Southern Africa Customs Union as well as SADC. Clearly, this will not be a barrier to the achievement of a wider Customs Union because SACU, whose roots date back to the colonial era, will be replaced by the new customs union. There is, therefore, no conflict. As regards the type of a Customs Union model that is desirable, one can only hope that the ongoing studies will inform the region as to which model is in the best interest of all Member States.

16. I am happy to observe that SADC will be declared a Free Trade Area by the next Ordinary Summit. I wish to commend Member States for the efforts they are making towards fulfilling the requirements for membership of the SADC Free Trade Area.

17. Although notable improvements have been registered in such fields as energy, transport and telecommunications, a great deal still needs to be done to ensure the full implementation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan. We will have to redouble our efforts in pushing our regional integration agenda if we are to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

18. Another major challenge that needs to be addressed relates to our commitment to fund SADC programmes and projects. It is worrying that the Community remains overly reliant on funding from international cooperating partners. While their support is most welcome, we need to demonstrate ownership and commitment to these programmes by ensuring that a greater part of funding is from our own resources.

19. SADC should also take advantage of the opportunities provided by the New Economic Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). Our challenge in this regard, is to intensify our cooperation with NEPAD so as to ensure that we do not lose out. I believe, therefore, that it would be a welcome development to have NEPAD as a regular item on our Agenda so that we can exchange views on how our Community can benefit from this initiative.

20. On the social front, the HIV/ AIDS epidemic remains one of the greatest challenges the region currently faces. We, therefore, need to accelerate the implementation of the Maseru Declaration on HIV/AIDS.

21. Unfortunately, our region also continues to experience food shortages due to periodic drought and floods. It is gratifying, however, that overall, Member States are making progress in implementing the Dar-es-Salaam Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security. In this context, I here wish to express my appreciation of the pledges that were made at this Summit by Zambia and Malawi to donate 10000 tons of grain each for the benefit of other member states.

22. Effective implementation of our programmes and decisions also depends on the capacity of our Secretariat to service Member States diligently and effectively. I am optimistic that with most of the positions now filled, our Secretariat is resourced to perform to expected standards.

23. A few years back, we undertook to construct a new SADC Headquarters in Gaborone, and in 2005 we honoured Former President Mkapa by requesting him to lay the foundation stone for our great new edifice. The stone still lies there in solitude. I would humbly request you, Dear Colleagues, to also honour me, by at least commencing the construction of our headquarters before I leave office.

24. Your Majesty, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, in conclusion I would wish to observe that during the course of the past 27 year we have, indeed, made substantial progress as a Community in building a framework for our ongoing cooperation. This is reflected in the protocols we have signed and infrastructure we have succeeded in putting into place.

25. Our current level of implementation, however, falls short of the commitments we have made. This is the challenge with which I must leave you - in particular the challenge of fully realizing our timetable for regional integration.

26. Finally, I wish to observe that, it has indeed been an honour and privilege to have served alongside with you to build up our Community on the solid foundation that was laid by its Founding Fathers. I thank you for your courtesy and friendship.

D4) 10/8/07: REMARKS AT THE HANDING OVER CEREMONY OF A HOUSE PROJEST BY HIS HONOUR LT. GEN. SERETSE KHAMA IAN KHAMA, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA MOLEPOLOLE

[Salutations]...Ladies and Gentlemen

1. It is my pleasure to be with you today in Molepolole on this occasion, to mark the handing over of a house to Mr. and Mrs. Seitebogeng Rantlhogo Pule, a less fortunate family within our society. This project could not have been realised had it not been for the kind gesture by Mr. Chaesoo Kim who funded and constructed the shelter.

2. For many years, this family has been struggling in many ways including caring for a child with disability. For an elderly couple in their 70's, life has not been easy. It is through government's social policies like the destitute programme that the family has been surviving.

3. The programme provided the family with clothing and food. Government can however only go so far. Beyond these basic services, collaboration with other stakeholders in the form of ordinary citizens, companies and other non-governmental organizations is necessary. Although it is Governments responsibility to look after the welfare of its citizen, it is also the responsibility of citizens and the business sector to provide for the welfare of the less fortunate.

4. It is in the spirit of letsema where as a nation, we have always been ready and willing to help one another. Their neighbours and other good-hearted members of the society have supported the family. They contributed in kind to protect the family from the ever-increasing hardships of life. Some provided the family with clothing, water, and other amenities that they could lay their hands on.

5. Kims' Construction Company, in the discharge of its corporate social responsibilities and in the spirit of Vision 2016, responded to the plight of the family and constructed them this two bed roomed house with a sitting room, water borne toilet and a pit latrine. Such partnership between communities and the Private sector are exemplary and appreciated. This project explains why there is need to encourage and support the growth of the private sector in our country.

6. The thrust of government policy on housing is to change the emphasis from home provision to facilitation and foster a spirit of partnership with the private sector in promoting home ownership. I am encouraged that organisations such as Mr Kim's, are becoming aware of the importance of assisting government in providing basic shelter for the less fortunate in line with our vision 2016.

7. Let me take this opportunity to encourage individuals and organisations not to let the spirit of Ipelegeng or self-reliance fade away. The spirit of self-reliance at the individual level has faded significantly and many people have developed a dependency syndrome particularly depending on Government. In our nature as Batswana, we have always despised laziness. It is always a matter of great shame for anybody in our society who is able bodied and can help him or her self to seek to depend entirely on others for his livelihood.

8. We must appreciate that there are many other Batswana who are desperate for assistance and it is my wish that we as citizens and residents of Botswana should embark on the spirit of giving to enable us to improve the quality of life of the less fortunate members of our society. There is only so much that a government can do, or for that matter, other people from outside of your communities can do.

9. Let us see you complement the efforts of Government and generous individuals like Mr. Kim in providing basic needs to the less privileged. I would like to make a contribution to this effort by giving groceries to this family for a year worth P2400.00 excluding, that which has previously been bought.

10. With these remarks, it is my pleasure to officially handover this house to Rre le Mme Pule. Pula! Pula! Pula!

D5) 11/8/07: REMARKS BY HIS HONOUR THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA, LT. GEN. SERETSE KHAMA IAN KHAMA, AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF YARONA COUNTRY LODGE.

[Salutations]...Ladies and Gentlemen

1. It gives me great pleasure to be with you today to officiate at the official opening of Yarona Country Lodge. The lodge we are about to open, is a result of tireless effort by Mr. Patrick Simon and his team. I am informed that, Mr. Simon started this business from a humble background. He started as an employee of several organizations including Kgalagadi Breweries, Motor Centre and Avis Rent-a-Car. In 1999/2000 he decided to use the treasure of experience gained from these organizations to establish Yarona Country Lodge. Ever since then, he has been working very hard towards consolidating the effort we are gathered here to celebrate.

2. Yarona Country Lodge is 100% citizen owned; it started its operations with a capacity of four rooms being Bed & Breakfast only, with an employment of four (4) staff members.

3. The Government of Botswana through the previous Financial Assistance Policy gave a helping hand and since then, Yarona Country Lodge has increased its capacity to seventeen rooms all en-suit with exclusive furnishings and three conference rooms equipped with state-of-the-art multimedia projectors, P.A system and ADSL internet services. The staff complement has increased to thirty-two (32) of which thirty one (31) are citizens and one (1) is a non - citizen.

4. The Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency has also assisted in procuring a generator as back up system and upgraded electricity for the establishment. You are probably wondering why I keep making mention of these schemes. These schemes are a testimony of the government's commitment to uplifting the welfare of Batswana and assist those keen on venturing into different spheres of business to uplift their lives. I am informed that the Tourism Board has a tourism data collection project which collects statistics on among others, accommodation, visitor expenditure, and tourism supplies.

5. This project will culminate into a Tourism Satellite Account which will eventually be established to provide a more accurate measurement of this sector's contribution to the economy. However, it is generally estimated that the sector contributes 5% to the Botswana National Gross Domestic Product.

6. As the Botswana Government we have no doubt that through enhanced Product Diversification, Product Packaging, Community/Citizen Participation, Tourism Awareness, Marketing and Promotion that the industry can increase its contribution to the livelihood of the people of this country.

7. We further share the view that Public/Private Partnership Projects as well as Ecological/Economic Development Initiatives in this sector can ground a strong base for meaningful employment in the industry which would surely increase the index of contribution to the economy and the livelihood of our people. As you may be aware, success in a business is not a given variable, but comes with an insurmountable amount of hard work. Success in the tourism industry is all about setting yourself apart from the rest of the crowd. Relationship marketing is the key to securing a stable customer base. This includes identifying what the customer needs and their preferences and making a deliberate effort to meet or even exceed those expectations.

8. I am happy to note that Yarona Country Lodge envisions being an internationally recognised establishment and is committed to being a symbol of excellence. This has been attained through building a performance oriented culture and by enhancing skills through training.

9. Yarona Country Lodge has been involved in social responsibility initiatives which include contribution towards sports development. I am made to understand that the Lodge has also received and continue to receive positive feedback from its customers. Just to mention a few the North West University in South Africa could not resist the temptation to award this lodge a certificate of recognition for the outstanding experience during their stay at Yarona.

10. I am also made to understand that just recently this lodge hosted the England National Netball Team which was also indebted by their hospitality and awarded them with a certificate of appreciation. If Yarona Country Lodge can achieve this entrepreneurship, it should give hope and motivation to those Batswana who may wish to venture into the tourism industry. This industry is one of the fastest growing sectors world wide and in Botswana. Customers have in recent years grown accustomed to high-quality lodging product and they will generally not put up with second-rate facilities; any cutbacks that affect the service experience will not go unnoticed.

11. For that reason I want to encourage those in this industry like Yarona Country Lodge to increase their efforts in this regard and work together to achieve one goal which is Botswana's pride of good hospitality.

12. Finally, I would like you to join me in congratulating Yarona Country Lodge on their remarkable accomplishment in setting up and running this facility, which I hope will contribute towards the growth of the economy. With these few remarks, I am happy to declare Yarona Country Lodge officially open. Pula! Pula! Pula!

E. NOTICES & FORWARDING:

E1) 13/8/07: Botswana and Guinea-Bissau pledge to build on past solidarity
 
Last night H.E. the President Festus Gontebanye Mogae hosted a State Dinner for the visiting Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau, the Rt. Hon. Martinho Dafa Cabi. At the dinner the two leaders pledged to build on the bonds of friendship and cooperation that have existed between the two countries since the time of the latter's liberation struggle against Portuguese colonial rule. During the struggle Botswana was one of the first countries to recognise Guinea-Bissau's independence and support its admission to the United Nations.
 
In his remarks at the dinner last night, President Mogae said that it was an honour that Prime Minister Cabi had chosen Botswana, along with South Africa, as the destination of his first external official visit since assuming office in April. He noted that Batswana were very humbled that the Prime Minister had come to benchmark on issues of political and economic governance.
 
The President added that Botswana and Guinea-Bissau were united by shared values such as democracy, respect for human rights and a common desire to secure a better future for their people.  We further noted that the two countries collaborated closely together in such fora as the United Nations, the African Union and the Non-Aligned Movement to achieve a more equitable world economic and political order in which the voice of developing countries is heard.
 
President Mogae commended his guests for the historic signing the National Political Stability Pact on the 12th of March this year, which had created a conducive environment for national reconciliation in Guinea-Bissau.
 
In response to the President's remarks, Prime Minister Cabi expressed his appreciation for the warm reception his delegation had received since its arrival. He noted that they had had fruitful discussions which would serve to reinforce two countries longstanding friendship and solidarity. He further commended Botswana as a model of democracy, peace and stability.
 
The Prime Minister further observed that his country was in the process of developing its natural resources and was eager to benefit from Botswana's experience. He concluded by noting that Batswana were welcome to come to Guinea-Bissau and benefit from its opportunities.
 
Today Prime Minister Cabi will travel to Jwaneng for a tour of the mine before returning to Gaborone in the afternoon. At 1600 hours he will hold a press conference at the Guest House. At 1830 hours he will arrive at the airport for departure from Botswana.

E2) 13/8/07: FW: MATTER OF FACT: COURTESY CALL OF HON. MOUPO TO RIGHT HONOURABLE MARTINHO D. CABI

Forwarded FYI - The message below is as received form the Principle Public Relations Officer at Parliament:

[Start]

To: The News Editor, Botswana Television, Department of Broadcasting Services, Private Bag 0060, Gaborone.

cc. All Media Houses

MATTER OF FACT: COURTESY CALL OF HON. MOUPO TO RIGHT HONOURABLE MARTINHO D. CABI

Reference is made to a news item that was aired on Botswana Television during the 1900 hours and 2100 hours news bulletin of Sunday 12th August 2007, regarding a courtesy call that the Leader of the Official Opposition, Hon. Otsweletse Moupo was supposed to have paid on the visiting Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, the Right Honourable Martinho Dafa Cabi.

This serves to inform the public that Hon. Moupo was not aware of the said meeting. Due to the short notice of the announcement of the meeting, when Hon. Otsweletse Moupo was contacted regarding the courtesy call, he was engaged in some other commitments where he could not be reached on his cell phone.

We would like to dispel any impression the news item might have conveyed that Hon. Moupo missed the courtesy call intentionally or through an act of design.

Jacob. N. Sekgoni (Principal Public Relations Officer II)
For Clerk of the National Assembly

E3) 15/8/07: President Mogae arrives in Lusaka for SADC Summit

(Lusaka) H.E. President Mogae arrived in Lusaka this afternoon to take part in the 27th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government.

Shortly after his arrival, President Mogae held private talks with the summit's host, President Mwanawasa of Zambia.

Thereafter the Botswana delegation at the Summit, led by the Honourable Ministers Baledzi Gaolathe of Finance and Development Planning, and Lt. Gen. Mompati Merafhe of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and also including Assistant Ministers Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri of Labour and Home Affairs and Lebonamang Mokalake of Trade and Industry, briefed H.E. the President on the latest Summit developments resulting from the meetings of the SADC Council of Ministers.

The Summit will begin tomorrow morning with an opening ceremony that will include the announcement of the winners of the annual SADC Media Awards and Senior Secondary Schools Essay Competition.

The opening will also feature addresses by the incoming and outgoing Chairpersons - H.E. President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, SC, of Zambia and the Right Honourable Pakalitha Mosisili, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho respectively.

Issues before the 2007 Summit include: regional efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, a report of the Task Force on regional integration, consideration and possible signing of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, the formal launching of the SADC Standby Brigade, and additional areas of regional concern.
 
E4) 17/8/07: Mogae at SADC Summit; SADC Summit Continues

(Lusaka): This afternoon H.E. the President, Festus Gontebanye Mogae, has been meeting in closed session along with other SADC Heads of State and Government, as the 27th Ordinary Summit enters its second day of deliberations.

The Summit is expected to end later today with a closing ceremony, which will be addressed by President Mogae [D3]. It is anticipated that President Mogae will use the occasion to bid farewell to his colleagues, in the context of his stepping down from power next year, on 31/3/08. He is also likely to communicate some of his hopes and concerns about the progress of the Community.

President Mogae has been associated with SADC since its inception in 1980 as the Southern African Coordination Council (SADCC). He served as the Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers for nine years prior to his becoming President of Botswana.

Earlier today the SADC Heads of State and Government gathered at Lusaka's City Airport to formally launch the SADC Standby Brigade [F2]. During the ceremony members of the Botswana Defence Force and Botswana Police Service joined colleagues from the region in a march past parade.

President Mogae is expected to arrive back in Gaborone at 8:30 hours tomorrow morning (18/8/07), in time to attend the installation of the Kgosi-e-kgolo of Batlokwa. At 17:00 hours he will host a reception for members of the Boys Scouts Association at State House [E5].

E5) 18/8/07: Breaking News: Gender Protocol sent back for further Consultations

(Lusaka) The SADC Heads of State and Government have now come out of their deliberations. The closing ceremony, to be addressed by H.E. President Mogae, will take place shortly.

Among the outcomes of this afternoon's meeting was a decision to engage on further consultations among members states before finalising the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. As a result the Protocol will not be presented for signing later today, as had been anticipated in various media reports.

E6) 19/8/07: President Mogae host Botswana Scouts

Last night H.E. the President, Festus Gontebanye Mogae, hosted a reception at State House for representatives of the Botswana Scouting movement and their international guests.

The reception came at the end of a day of activities in which the Botswana Boy Scouts Association marked the centenary of the Scouting, or Scout Movement, which is a worldwide youth movement that aims to support young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, so that they may play constructive roles in society.

Scouting began in 1907 when Robert Baden-Powell, who had been a Lieutenant General in the British Army, held the first Scouting encampment at Brownsea Island in England. Over the past century the movement has grown to encompass three major age groups each for boys (Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Rover Scout) and for girls (Brownie Guide, Girl Guide and Girl Scout, Ranger Guide).

Today, Scouting and Guiding movements for both boys and girls together have over 38 million members in 216 countries including Botswana.

In informal remarks last night President Mogae paid tribute to the Scouting movement for its promotion of moral values, life skills and patriotism among youth. He paid special tribute to teachers and other adults around the country who volunteer their time for the Association.

The President further reflected on the fact that he, along with many other prominent members of society had themselves benefited from lessons that were instilled by scouting during their youth.

In additional remarks the patron of the Botswana Boy Scouts Association, Mr. Lesang Magang, called for Scouting to once more become a regular co-curricular activity in schools.

E7) Additional Notices and Forwarding 13-19/8/07
* 14/8/07: "Discovery Metals says new 2km copper zone found at Botswana Maun Project"
* 15/8/07: Leaders arrive for SADC Summit in Lusaka
* 16/8/07: "Zambians embrace SADC heads of State"
* 16/8/07: "Zambia's Mwanawasa calls on Zimbabweans to resolve differences"
* 17/8/07: "SADC Gender and Development Protocol: How it can save lives"
* 17/8/07: Reminder - President Mogae's weekend Schedule
* 17/8/07: Journalists Honoured at 2007 SADC Media Awards
* 18/8/07: CANCELLED: Meeting between President Mogae and Ugandan Special Envoy at State House on Sunday [the meeting took place on Friday evening in Lusaka]
* 19/8/07: "Indian firm scouting for coal mining, power projects in Botswana"
* 19/8/07: "Mogae questions duel roles"
* 19/8/07: "SADC Summit ends with commitment to democracy consolidation" [F1]
* 19/8/07: Picture of President Mogae @ SADC Summit
* 19/8/07: "Prince Harry proposes to his Zimbabwean girlfriend in Botswana"
* 19/9/07: President Mwanawasa launches SADC Brigade [F2]

F. Also in the News:

NB: News reports, statements and/or views reproduced below are not necessarily those of Government of Botswana.

F1) 17/8/07: The following is from WWW.XINHUANET.COM

"SADC summit ends with commitment to democracy consolidation"

LUSAKA, Aug 17 (Xinhua) -- The Southern African Development Community (SADC) ended its two-day summit here on Friday with leaders of the 14 member countries reaffirming their commitment to the consolidation of democracy and political stability in the region.
    
According to a communiqué issued at a post-summit press conference, the summit noted the peaceful and orderly manner in which the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar and Zambia exercised their democratic rights as they voted in the presidential and parliamentary elections in their respective countries.
    
The summit took note of the Report of the Executive Secretary on the economic situation in Zimbabwe and mandated the SADC ministers responsible for finance to use the Report of the Executive Secretary in consultations with the government of Zimbabwe and draw up an economic plan to support the country.
    
The summit launched the SADC Brigade consisting of, military, police and civilian components from all SADC member states which was set up under the provisions of the African Union which recommends that each of its Five Regional Economic Communities (RECs) should have a standby capacity for peace support operations on the continent.
    
As to gender equality, the summit noted that progress has been made towards achieving the set target of 50 percent women representation in decision-making and towards the protocol on gender and development.
    
Levy Mwanawasa, Zambian president and new chairperson of SADC, said that leaders of the member states had deliberated on matters what are critical to the realization of the vision for deepening integration, peace and security, as well as strategies on addressing the objective of poverty reduction in our region. The summit also announced that there is a basis to declare the SADC Free Trade Area in 2008.
    
"We need to re-double our efforts to unlock opportunities for the SADC liberalized trade, in the context of the Free Trade Area, Customs Union and ultimately the Common Market," said Mwanawasa.
    
Leaders of the 14 member countries held closed-door sessions on Thursday and Friday, deliberating on a number of regional development issues with several draft agreements approved. The summit agreed to amend the SADC Treaty, the protocol on tribunal and the protocol on trade and signed a memorandum of understanding amongst SADC member states on SADC headquarters and the establishment of the SADC standby brigade.
    
"The summit has been held in the spirit of brotherhood, sisterhood and dedication, which have characterized this region for many years," he said in his closing address.
    
The SADC is a major regional body in Africa with a total population of over 230 million that accounts for almost one third of the African continent.
    
Its members are Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Next year's summit will be held in South Africa.

F2) 17/8/07: Speech By His Excellency The President Of The Republic Of Zambia And SADC Chairperson, Mr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, SC, On The Occasion Of The Official Launch Of The Southern African Development Community Brigade (SADCBrig) In Lusaka, Zambia

[Start] It is my singular honour and privilege to welcome Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government and distinguished delegates to this historic occasion in our region.

Twenty-seven years ago today, our region gave birth to the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) here in Lusaka, Zambia, where our march towards a common future commenced. In 1992 the SADCC was transformed into the southern African Development Community (SADC) thereby giving our institution legal status. 

The region's collective ideals remain the pride, anchor and driving force in our resolve to live in political peace, socio-economic development and sustained security. Our resolve is to alleviate poverty with the aim to eradicate it. 

This is one noble goal, but which, as reality would have it, is only tenable in an environment of peace, security and political stability, which are prerequisites for development. 

Your Royal Highness, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,

It is against this background that we are gathered here today to witness the launch of the SADC brigade, our own regional multi-dimensional peace support operations capability, established under the African Standby Force policy framework.

It is made up of resources pledged by SADC member states on standby arrangement and comprising the military, the police and civilian components.

Your Royal Highness, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,

The scourge of conflicts in Africa constitutes a major impediment to the socio-economic development of the continent. It is thus imperative for all of us to spearhead the promotion of peace, security and stability as a necessary prerequisite for Africa's social and economic development and integration.

The reality of this situation compelled African leaders to transform the organisation of African unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU), in conformity with the United Nations charter and the ultimate objectives of the OAU charter. 

That transformation ushered into being mechanisms, amongst others, the peace and Security Council, the African standby force and the military staff committee - all aimed at the maintenance of peace and security of the continent.

Africa has redoubled its efforts and achieved progress towards the formalisation of relationship between the UN and the AU, specifically to enhance conflicts management. At the same time, the deterioration of peace and security in Africa, especially the rise in the number and intensity of internal conflicts, led to a re-opening of the debate on the need for a continental security agenda.

In July 2004, African heads of state and government met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and approved the policy framework document for the establishment of the African standby force and military staff committee within the provisions of Article 4(d) of the constitutive act of the African Union and Article 13 of the protocol relating to the establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.

The concept is that once fully established, the African standby force will consist of standby multidisciplinary contingents, with civilian and military components located in their countries of origin and ready for rapid deployment anywhere in Africa at appropriate notice.

The purpose of the SADC brigade is to participate in missions as envisaged in article 13 of the "mandate" of the protocol establishing the peace and security council of the au which includes:

Performing observation and monitoring missions; peace support missions; interventions for peace and security restoration in grave circumstances at the request of a member state; and prevent the spreading to neighbouring areas or states of conflicts or the resurgence of violence after agreements have been reached.

The SADC brigade shall also serve in peace-building efforts including post-conflict disarmament and demobilisation and humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of civilian populations in conflict areas and support efforts on major natural disasters.

Constituted under the AU Protocol on Peace and Security requiring all regional economic communities to have standby peace keeping forces, the SADC brigade shall have the planning elements at the SADC secretariat as its only permanent structure.

It operates on a daily basis as a tool of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and receives its guidance from the SADC committee of chiefs of defence staff and the committee of SADC police chiefs.

The SADC brigade, like all other regional brigades, will be part and parcel of the African standby force. 

The conceptual framework is designed in such a way that the earmarked capabilities of the troops or personnel by contributing countries to the SADC brigade, should remain domiciled within their countries of origin, on an 'on call' level of alert for the duration of the assignment in line with prescribed times of response.  In short, this is in fact a permanent standby arrangement.

A memorandum of understanding was concluded among the participating nations in order to provide a sound legal basis for their co-operation in the establishment and maintenance of the SADC brigade.

Training of the brigade at all levels will remain a key priority for SADC in order to achieve the principle of uniformity and be able to operate together its systems and equipment.

The work already done by the inter-state defence and security committee in this area will serve as a sound basis for a way forward. The regional peacekeeping training centre located in Zimbabwe and other national peace support training institutions will play a pivotal role of training military commanders, police officers and civilian officials at various levels while, at the same time, acting as a "clearing house" for all peace support operations and training activities in the region.

Your Royal Highness, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,

I wish to commend the hard and laborious work done by the SADC organ on politics, defence and security co-operation for the realisation of this historic occasion today. In the same vein, I would like to thank the organisers of the parade and all the participants for such a wonderful display.  We have indeed set a milestone for our member nations and for the rest of the world.

I now wish to take this opportunity to declare the SADC brigade officially launched. I thank you.

ENDS

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