South Africa–United States relations

South Africa-United States relations are bilateral relations between South Africa and the United States.

The United States has maintained an official presence in South Africa since 1799, when an American consulate was opened in Cape Town. The U.S. Embassy is located in Pretoria, and Consulates General are in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. Americans and South Africans also have many nongovernmental ties; for example, black and white American missionaries have a long history of activity in South Africa. South Africans (particularly the ANC leadership) also acknowledge support from and ties to the anti-apartheid movement in the U.S.

From the 1970s through the early 1990s, U.S.-South Africa relations were severely affected by South Africa's racial policies. South African Ambassador to the United States, Harry Schwarz, played a significant role in convincing many Americans that the de Klerk government was committed to ending apartheid and to returning normal relations in the early 1990's. Since the abolition of apartheid and democratic elections of April 1994, the United States has enjoyed an excellent bilateral relationship with South Africa. Although there are differences of position between the two governments--for example, regarding Iraq--they do not impede cooperation on a broad range of key issues. Bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism, fighting HIV/AIDS, and military relations has been particularly positive. Through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the United States also provides assistance to South Africa to help it meet its development goals. Peace Corps volunteers began working in South Africa in 1997.

Principal U.S. Officials include:
* Ambassador--Eric M. Bost
* Deputy Chief of Mission--Donald Teitelbaum
* Commercial Counselor--Craig Allen
* Economic Counselor--Perry Ball
* Political Counselor--Raymond L. Brown
* Management Counselor--Russell LeClair
* Public Affairs Counselor--Mary Deane Conners
* Defense and Air Attache--Colonel Michael Muolo
* USAID Director--Carleene Dei
* Agricultural Attache--Scott Reynolds
* Health Attache--Mary Fanning
* Consul General Cape Town--Helen LaLime
* Consul General Durban--Eugene S. Young
* Consul General Johannesburg--Steven P. Coffman

ee also

* Foreign relations of South Africa
* Foreign relations of the United States

References

StateDept [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2898.htm]