Mbeki seeks closer ties with US

Mbeki was criticised for failing to decry Zimbabwe land grabs

South Africa's President, Thabo Mbeki, has begun his first visit to the US as head of state, hoping to strengthen political and economic ties between the two nations.

Mr Mbeki is due to hold talks with President Clinton on Monday, which American officials say will cover regional conflicts in Africa, including the crisis over land occupations in South Africa's neighbour, Zimbabwe.

The aim is to cement our already good relations

South African ambassador Sheila Sisulu

However discussions are also expected to focus on Mr Mbeki's controversial stance on how to tackle the Aids epidemic in his country.

He has drawn sharp criticism from the international scientific community for inviting dissident American scientists who dispute the link between the HIV virus and Aids to join a commission investigating the epidemic - at a time when South Africa has the fastest rate of new HIV infections in the world.

'Friendship'

When asked if the Aids issue might overshadow the meeting, US National Security spokesman David Stockwell replied: "We have had a very strong relationship with South Africa and our partnership is stronger than any issue that may be discussed.

"The primary goal of this visit is to deepen our friendship with South Africa."

Mbeki and Blair last week discussed the Zimbabwe crisis at length

South Africa's Ambassador to the US, Sheila Sisulu, said Mr Mbeki's views on how to tackle the Aids crisis had been misunderstood and that the president's aim was to consult as many experts as possible on the epidemic.

"There are views on Aids that differ and those views need to be heard. What President Mbeki is saying is that the last word has not been spoken."

Reports say the White House is widely believed to have leaked a letter written last month by Mr Mbeki to Mr Clinton and other world leaders, defending his position.

However Ms Sisulu played down the Aids controversy and said the president's visit came at a time when relations could not be better between South Africa and the United States.

"The aim is to cement our already good relations, to discuss issues of mutual interest between the two governments, ranging from political stability and regional politics."

Other issues

The turmoil in neighbouring Zimbabwe is also likely to be on the agenda. Mr Mbeki has been criticised for his failure to denounce unequivocally the state-sponsored occupation of hundreds of white-owned farms by self-styled war veterans.

A South African official said other issues on the table would include how to alleviate poverty and grant more debt relief to poor African countries.

Mr Mbeki will also discuss job creation in South Africa, where unemployment climbed to 25.2 percent in 1998, according to government statistics.

The South African president will receive all the trappings of a state visit, including a 21-gun salute to welcome him to the White House and a state dinner in his honour.

He will also meet Vice-President Al Gore during his five-day visit.