allAfrica.com: Africa: Sub-Saharan Africa Rallies to US Support (Page 1 of 3)

Bush administration officials are pleased at the unanimous condemnation by African nations of the attacks against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and pledges of support for an anti-terror coalition. Even African nations not usually considered friendly to the United States have offered assistance. Libya's Muammar Gaddafi offered condolences, calling the attacks "horrific." Secretary of State Colin Powell telephoned Sudanese Foreign Minister Osman Mustafa Ismail and asked for his cooperation and received a promise of it.

The U.S. has identified the attackers as committed to an extreme Islamic fundamentalism and many African nations worry about such forces within their own borders. African nations also worry about an angry public backlash directed at Muslims or persons thought to be Muslim in the United States that endangers their citizens. AllAfrica's Charles Cobb Jr. spoke with Walter H. Kansteiner, US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, about these and other matters affecting Africa in the aftermath of the attacks. Excerpts:

Let's start right in with the word 'backlash.' With regard to the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, I have talked to several African embassies and missions in Washington and New York and there is clearly an undertone of worry at potential danger to their people - many of whom are Muslim - because of anger. Is that a concern of your office?

One of the African ambassadors, from an African country that has a very sizeable Muslim population, was in to see me just now. And he said, 'First of all I want to thank you, and particularly President Bush for recognizing the difference between Islam and Bin Laden.' And the symbolic gesture of having a Muslim cleric at the National Cathedral service was very powerful, especially for the African Muslim countries. The first clergyman who stood up and spoke at the cathedral service was a Muslim cleric. Likewise, Tuesday's visit to the Islamic Center, although symbolic, was deeply appreciated and was a significant symbol. So, this Administration is very sensitive to that and we have to make it clear that Islam and Bin Laden are not synonymous.

I think there is less concern about the attitude at official levels such as the President's or the Secretary of State's than there is about the anger of an ordinary person on the street. An Indian Sikh was attacked with a baseball bat in New York because he was wearing a turban. Muslims, many from Africa, feel they need to lay low. Are these kinds of concerns being expressed to you by representatives of African nations since you're the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs?

Not to date. No. But again I think there must be a sensitivity. That's part of the appreciation of President Bush and Colin Powell. There is a big difference between the Muslim faith and the actions of a radical terrorist cell. That's what political leaders try to tell -- the American public in this case -- that there are nuances. Important differences. But no, to answer your question, I have not heard from embassies although it would not surprise me that they are concerned about it.

The other dimension to this, of course, is policy. This is a very active period with regard to US policy in Africa. Sudan comes immediately to mind. The United States has just appointed a special envoy to Sudan. Last week the United Nations did not lift sanctions. It seemed to me that the United States was for continuing those sanctions....

It [the Security Council session] never took place. It was actually scheduled for the day of, or the day after, the attack, so all Security Council business got pushed off.

What does this mean for a place like Sudan - clearly an important nation? On the one hand there is still swirling around Sudan the accusation that it is, or certainly has been, a base for terrorists and terrorist actions. On the other hand, the United States is interested in reaching a rapprochement with the Khartoum government.

Well, our first order of business with Sudan is to get their cooperation on counter-terrorism. The most immediate order of business is that. We have lots of other bilateral and regional issues with Sudan relating to the Sudanese conflict and the behavior and conduct that has been exhibited toward Southerners. So we have lots of issues with the government in Khartoum. Right now, the issue that we have to deal with is in fact the counter-terrorist one. And so we have reached out and they have reached out. In fact there were some very interesting statements from the foreign minister concerning wanting to cooperate with the United States -- wanting to cooperate on counter terrorist issues, intelligence issues, even an implied offer to assist in overflight rights and those kinds of staging type issues that might or might not come up. So, I think the first steps have been relatively positive and I think we have to keep making those steps.

Is this a part of [Sudan Special Envoy] Senator Danforth's mission - this discussion - or something separate? You say the first priority is joining with the U.S. in a counter-terrorist effort. Does this shift somewhat Senator Danforth's mission?

This is not really Senator Danforth's mission at all. It relates to his; it will have an impact, undoubtedly. His brief, if you will, is as the Sudan peace coordinator looking to be the special envoy for the coordination of the peace effort between the North and the South. That's his mandate. Obviously it's all one country - I should say it's all one government - and what the government does in Khartoum on counter-terrorism will indirectly affect other issues too. But right now this is not what Senator Danforth is focused on at all.

web allafrica.com	Enter your search terms	Submit search form
OR subscribers use AllAfrica's premium search engine


Use our pull-down menus to find more stories

Today's Most Active Stories