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South Africa - Relations with U.S. (Notes)

U.S.-SOUTH AFRICAN RELATIONS 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 Africas racial policies. However, 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 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--Elizabeth Hinson Public Affairs Officer--Mary Deane Conners Defense and Air Attache--Col. Michael Garrison USAID Director--Carleene Dei Agricultural Attache--Scott Reynolds Health Attache--Clara Witt Consul General Cape Town--Helen La Lime Consul General Durban--Eugene S. Young The U.S. Embassy in South Africa is located at 877 Pretorius St, Pretoria; PO Box 9536, Pretoria 0001; tel: (27-12) 431-4000; fax: (27-12) 342-2299.