Prime minister Paul Bérenger left yesterday for an official visit to the United States where he intends to discuss the ?third country fabric? derogation, under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, with president George W. Bush. The country is hoping that a good deal may be struck.

However, many observers now think that such a deal is only a pipe dream. Berenger?s trip may go to pot and show to Mauritians a stark reality: the United States is a harsh trade partner, known for its blatant double standards, and is poles apart from the European Union, our usual trade partner.

AGOA is so far unknown to the public at large. Mauritians only know that this law allows us to export garments duty free and quota free to the US market if the raw materials used are imported from sub-Saharan African countries or the United States itself. It has also been widely publicised that Mauritius is trying to obtain the ?third country fabric? derogation, which will allow us to import our raw materials from cheap Asian sources.

Not much has however been said about the severe criticism of this legislation inside the States itself. Opponents not only pointed to the fact that the act undermines the sovereignty of all the eligible sub-Saharan African states, but also argued that it actually seems to reinforce the inequalities and one-sidedness that have always underpinned US relations with Africa. The act, they said, was developed without adequate attention to and reflection of the perspectives of Africans on their goals and aspirations for their continent.

Conditions attached to this act also came under attack. They were considered too heavy. There are in fact twelve requirements, which African countries must fulfill to be eligible to participate in the programme it provides for.

Under one of the requirements, sub-Saharan African countries benefiting from AGOA are barred from engaging ?in activities that undermine US national security or foreign policy interest?.

<B>Gentlemen?s agreements</B>

To say things crudely, Mauritius has no right to criticise the US invasion of Iraq and such criticism may prompt the US president to decide that Mauritius is no longer an eligible sub-Saharan African country under the AGOA.

Government and business quarters now say that this is a completely different set of conditions from those to which Mauritius has been used since independence. The island owes its development largely to trade agreements with Europe. The quota of 500 000 tons of sugar under a guaranteed price obtained shortly after independence from Great-Britain, then Europe, and those obtained under the ACP-EU partnership are now considered gentlemen?s agreements compared to what the US has so far tendered to Mauritius.

In fact, when Europe tried to tie up its agreements with the ACP to the respect of human rights and democracy, it had to back-pedal under vigorous protest.

But such a stand is unthinkable with the United States. Mauritius may be wooing Uncle Sam for crumbs that will never fall at its feet.

<B>African issues and Boeing visit on PM?s agenda</B>

During his two-day visit, the prime minister will meet President Bush as well as Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. He will also visit the head office of Boeing in Seattle. He has made it clear that this visit is not a sign of any commitment between Mauritius and Boeing. He finds it fair to go to Seattle since he visited the Airbus production line in Toulouse.

Concerning his meeting with President Bush, he said people might find it ?surprising? that the American president has found time to welcome the Mauritian PM in this pre-electoral period ? he may be the first one to be astonished ? but he is very ?happy? to be given this opportunity.

Not only will he defend the African continent as a whole regarding the AGOA III but he will also discuss the Chagos issue with George W. Bush. He will claim Mauritian sovereignty over the archipelago without disturbing the military base of Diego Garcia. Paul Bérenger has sent a letter to Tony Blair explaining the problem and he is still expecting an answer from the British prime minister. He hopes he will have more luck with President Bush.

Finally, the prime minister will tackle the Zimbabwean question with the American president. Mauritius is to chair the SADC as from August and Zimbabwe remains a difficult item. Since it left the Commonwealth, some meetings between various institutions ?such as the European Union and Africa or EU and SADC - have not taken place. The Mauritian prime minister will thus try to ?compare facts? with the Americans on the issue to get things moving.