1 July 2009
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These are easy to do, and I've just mentioned a few. President Mugabe has them in his power to do them.
What about U.S. relations with Nigeria, and specifically about continuing unrest in the Delta region, which is the source for a significant share of imported U.S. oil?
Nigeria is, for a variety of reasons, the most important country in sub-Saharan Africa, bar none. It is one of our most important suppliers of petroleum. It has the second largest Muslim population after Egypt and is possibly the seventh largest Muslim country in the world. It is a country that has U.S. $40-50 billion of U.S. investment. It is a dynamic and vibrant country whose citizens have demonstrated over and over again that they're the most entrepreneurial and talented people on the continent.
Its size and its economy make it a place of high interest to the United States, and for that reason, we are always concerned about what happens there. Problems in the Delta are of enormous concern. In the last several weeks, there has been a military offensive designed to break the back of those most responsible for criminal activities - for stealing large amounts of petroleum and for the kidnappings.
Stability and peace must be brought to the Delta so the people there can enjoy better lives. It is also important that, as security forces carry out their work in the area, they do not undertake human rights violations, that they're careful and discriminating in the way that they use force, that they not undermine work they do going after criminal elements by killing innocent civilians. This is an issue that we should all be concerned about, because Nigeria and Nigerians deserve the opportunity to have better lives that would allow them to use their enormous potential in good ways.
Assistant Secretary Carson outlined the administration's views on the future of U.S. relations with South Africa in a recent address at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. He also presented an overview of U.S.-Africa policy at a National Press Club briefing, sponsored by the African American Unity Caucus. He outlined the administration's policy priorities during his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Testifying before the Senate Africa Subcommittee last week, he described the administration's described how the administration is confronting drug trafficking in West Africa.
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I can't believe the U.S. government still supports the transitional government in Somalia. That is such a joke. Somalia's government was the most stable it had been in years before we went in there on trumped up charges and created chaos with the Ethiopians. Also, Carson is on the wrong side of Nigeria as well. When oil workers in the Delta are making less than a dollar a day while Exxon-Mobile profits in the tens of billions of dollars, it is damned hard not to root for the underdog. I can't believe he didn't address the gripping poverty and corruption which has caused this mess. I won't buy a drop of gasoline from any American oil company because of their usufruction of the Delta.
Sorry to say but I don't if your boycott of Exxon-Mobile makes a huge difference! Americans drive HUGE gas guzzling SUV's and we STILL drive ALOT even when the price of oil goes up...so trust me..EXXon's profit probably comes primarily from the USA alone! No if Americans STOP driving so much then they WOULD listen!
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i would like to take this opportunity to welcome barack and michelle to africa. welcome home!
In a symphony.
In the light of a symphony there's a charming intention, and also that fortune; there's a little desire and the sound of a beautiful noise....
Francesco Sinibaldi
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This article by Mr. Cobbs sounds like a good article, which focuse on human rights.But, in Africa this single handed approach has not worked. Typically aid is cut off and a lot of sanction imposed. What is improving good governance in Africa seems to be economic development and trade. That is the new modern way to improve good governance. Other wise, it just becomes an endless debate about human rights, and actually this single approach has worsened human rights in Africa. Where the Chinese have invested heavily in Africa, typically human rights have improved also.
Look at Sudan where the focus has entirely been n human rights,no improvements have been seen. The African Union saw his and oppossed the international community on impossing additional sanctions and prosecution. The approach being suggested, actually does not improve human rights. The Punishment on Zimbabwe did nothing to promote human rights or good governance.
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