"Bush beats the democracy drum in Africa" - and other articles

[Solly Mack]

Bush beats the democracy drum in Africa


"This is President Bush's second visit to Africa, and it is designed to highlight states Washington considers stable and democratically credible."





Bush: Conflicts Not Focus of Africa Trip

"COTONOU, Benin (AP) — President Bush said Saturday that while his trip to Africa is focused on success stories and not the conflicts roiling nearly every corner of the continent, his administration is actively engaged in resolving the turmoil there.

"When you herald success, it helps others realize what it possible," the president said. "This is a large place with a lot of nations and no question not everything is perfect. On the other hand, there are a lot of great success"


In pictures: Bush on Africa tour



And the beauty of them all headline...

Bush Says Paternalism Over in U.S. Aid

"Declaring the age of paternalism over, President Bush said Thursday the United States demands clear results for the billions of taxpayer dollars it sends to Africa. He accused other nations of exploiting the continent's resources or irresponsibly offering aid as charity.

"America is serving as an investor, not as a donor," Bush said in a tone-setting preview of his six-day trip to Africa, which begins Saturday."


Now for a reality check:

Bush in Africa - oil, trade, security never far from surface

"However in 2007, more than 90 per cent of exports from sub-Saharan Africa to the US were petroleum products.

"We hope that this visit will enable us to attract more US companies who could export the products they manufacture here into the US thanks to AGOA," Ghana's Trade Minister Joe Baidoo-Ansah told AFP.

The United States taking an interest in Africa can also be explained by the fact that in 2015 Washington expects that 25 per cent of the oil it imports will come from Africa, essentially from the Gulf of Guinea.

Oil could also also have something to do with US insistence on selling the idea of a US military high command for Africa - AFRICOM, currently based in Germany."

[Angela Shelley]

1. He needs medication and a huge dose of reality.

[Solly Mack]

2. I forgot the reality check...but have now added it

Thanks for the reminder!! :)

[peekaloo]

3. *giggle* "Firt Lady" Laura Bush

love the look on that kids' face in the top pic.

[Solly Mack]

4. I loved that picture too!

Kids just don't care for that man

[Glorfindel]

5. How totally embarrassing - the lame duck quacks abroad

and evidently can't help groping foreign heads of state. :blush:

[Solly Mack]

6. Hard to find a good picture of the man

where he's not doing something embarrassing...or making some sort of face

the camera doesn't like Bush...shows him as he really is too much to like him :)