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Bush Decision to Skip Kenya Angers Locals
EFL (see, M.i.T., this is how itâs done)In a region characterized by conflict and autocratic leaders, Kenya stands out as a stable country that has come close to meeting the democratic standards set by the worldâs major powers. But when President Bushâs five-nation Africa tour takes him to East Africa — cited as a key battleground in the war on terrorism — Kenya will be passed by. Horrors! Whatever could be the reason? Instead, Bush heads to neighboring Uganda on Friday — a country where multiparty politics are banned and whose government has been accused of fueling vicious tribal conflict in war-ravaged Congo. A 17-year insurgency also continues to wreak havoc in northern Uganda. Kenya has avoided conflict and is at the forefront of efforts to end a 20-year civil war in Sudan and more than a decade of violence in Somalia. And itâs the only eastern Africa nation that can boast a smooth transition of power from one political party to another. But thereâs a major blot on Kenyaâs record — its failure to deal with the threat of terrorism. Ding-ding! We have a winner! In November, at least 10 Kenyans and three Israeli tourists were killed when suicide bombers exploded a car packed with explosives outside a hotel on Kenyaâs coast. When Bush was planning a January trip to Africa, Kenya, a longtime U.S. ally which boasts the regionâs most important economy, was penciled in. That tour was canceled and Kenya has since become the focus of U.S. terror alerts. The embassy in Nairobi was closed for four days last month because of the threats. GWB is brave enough, but heâs not stupid. Thereâs no need to expose him to any increased risk. A 1998 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi killed 219 people, including 12 Americans. The embassy blast and the November attack were blamed on al-Qaeda. But to the ire of U.S. officials, Kenyan authorities havenât convicted a single suspect. And now the chickens are home to roost. The United States does, however, have strong ties with Kenya. The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi is the largest in sub-Saharan Africa in terms of personnel and regional operations. The United States is the third-largest bilateral donor to Kenya, which is one of the largest African recipients of U.S. aid. The nation has also benefited from the African Growth and Opportunity Act, a trade initiative that gives nations duty-and quota-free access to the U.S. market. And it is likely to gain from Bushâs $15 billion plan to fight AIDS, a disease that has ravaged Kenya. But the terror alerts issued by the United States and Britain in May caused consternation in Kenya with many people complaining that the alerts were unjust and hurt the countryâs economy. So, clean out the terrorist cells in your country. However, Information Minister Raphael Tuju said the government fully understands Bushâs decision not to come to Kenya. ``Symbolically, it would have been great if he came but we have to understand that it would not have been appropriate for him to come when the travel advisory has not been lifted,ââ Tuju said. ``We are engaged with the United States in a very meaningful way.ââ But others say Bush will not be missed. ``I donât think heâs come to Africa for the good of anybody else but himself,ââ said Rachel Mutheiri, a student. ``Bush is ignorant of African affairs and his presence here wonât benefit people in any significant way.ââ You mean, other than the AIDS initiative, the development funds, etc. Bush is walking the walk, all Clinton did was talk. Posted by: Steve White 2003-07-11 |
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