War and oil colour view of Bush: quotes from Africa

Friday, February 15, 2008

Feb 15 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush is scheduled to begin a five-day African tour this weekend that focuses on the successes of his projects, particularly in combating AIDS and malaria. But African views of the American leader are a mixture of admiration and cynicism.

Here are a few quotes from around the continent:

- This visit will be an opportunity for Bush to get his hands on Africa by creating a military base. The pretext is fighting terrorism. But in reality he eyes natural resources to feed the U.S. economy and interests -- Tunisian student Mohamed Ben Fraj.

- When you look at the countries Bush is visiting, they are new emerging players in the African continent. They are countries that have lately seen political stability and economic progress. Therefore Bush is coming to pat their backs for a job well done - Ignatius Kabagambe, managing editor of The New Times, an English daily in Rwanda, third stop on the tour.

- With an African command in the offing, the U.S. wants to make sure that they have the support of most of the African countries or else they risk being seen as an occupying force fronting U.S. interests -- Ugandan political analyst Augustine Nuwagaba.

- What many African government officials want to see is less aid from Western powers like the U.S. and more investment. This is the way forward for the continent. I hope the Bush visit will show the world a dynamic continent, not a starving one. We are changing here -- Ethiopian government official who asked not to be named.

- Bush's visit comes within the framework of the United States expanding its global war front on terror against al Qaeda. Bush and his administration seek to turn Africa into a big barracks for his war against Osama bin Laden's network -- Chakib Khayari chairman of a Moroccan human rights association. - The arrival of Bush will obviously bring more harm than good to both Africans and Americans. He has made the whole world a mirror in which he sees himself and smashes by playing hide and seek with the so-called Islamists -- Somali cleric Sheikh Aden Nur.

- Bush's policy in Africa has been a mixed bag, but generally positive. He has increasingly shown some commitment towards political stability and development of the continent. His intervention in the Liberia conflict and his continuing efforts to help the African Union solve the Darfur and Somalia crises readily come to mind. Unlike in the past when Clinton failed to help when Rwanda was in flames -- Yao Gede, an international affairs analyst in Ghana, Bush's fourth stop. - I am not happy about his international policy, but I must admit that his policy towards Africa has been satisfactory -- Kwaku Baprui Asante, retired Ghanaian diplomat. - Liberia stands to gain a lot from the visit of Bush. In the military, the USA has helped us greatly, in our health, the USA has helped us and in our education - Liberian Information Minister Lawrence Bropleh. Monrovia is the final stop on Bush's tour. (Reporting by Abdi Sheikh and Aweys Yusuf in Mogadishu, Sonia Ounissi in Tunis, Francis Kwera in Kampala, Arthur Asiimwe in Kigali, Barry Malone in Addis Ababa, Lamine Ghanmi in Rabat, Kwasi Kpodo in Accra)

Source: Reuters, Feb 15, 2008