America.gov (Washington, DC)
Susan Domowitz
23 September 2009
Washington — An Africa that is prosperous and at peace is vital to the interests of the United States and the rest of the world, President Obama says, adding that Africa's future is up to Africans.
Obama, in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, made that observation during a September 22 luncheon he hosted for 25 sub-Saharan African leaders. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, National Security Advisor Jim Jones, Ambassador Susan Rice, and African Union Commissioner Jean Ping also attended.
In a briefing for journalists following the luncheon, Michelle Gavin, special assistant to the president and senior director for African affairs at the National Security Council, described the event as an effort to foster dialogue and build on the themes that President Obama addressed in his speech in Accra, Ghana, in July.
In particular, Gavin said, Obama highlighted the importance of partnership and creating opportunity in Africa, through creating jobs, encouraging investment and strengthening the agricultural sector and agricultural productivity. The president also used his opening remarks to stress the importance of addressing corruption head-on to promote trade, investment and jobs creation, she said.
Obama kept his remarks brief, Gavin said, and used the lunch as an opportunity to listen to what African leaders had to say on these issues.
Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf addressed the challenges of creating jobs for young Africans. She said Africa's demographic challenge -- huge youth populations -- adds pressure to labor markets, and she highlighted the need for education. She also stressed the importance of programs that create opportunities for African women and girls.
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda talked about trade and investment in Africa. Rwanda was just named the world's top reformer in the World Bank's report Doing Business 2010: Reforming through Difficult Times, Kagame noted, and he described Rwanda's experience in creating a favorable investment climate. Kagame stressed the importance of regional initiatives and infrastructure, and outlined how the United States could be more supportive of initiatives that will create long-term growth in Africa.
Kagame also talked about health issues in Africa, acknowledging the importance of existing global health initiatives and calling for more attention to be paid to broad health infrastructures.
Tanzania's president, Jakaya Kikwete, led the discussion on agriculture and agriculture-led economic growth in Africa. According to Gavin, participants' discussion of the new $20 billion international commitment on food security, announced at the Group of Eight Summit, was an opportunity to get African leaders' insights on this issue. (See "G8 Nations Propose $20 Billion in Food Assistance.")
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I .BEWARE OF THE TOWER BUILDERS
A. THE TOWER BUILDERS ??? 1. Look at the story of Nimrod and his one world crew in Genesis 11: 1-8. Nimrod was a builder of cities and a mighty hunter . He was well-known for his feats and apparently could attract a lot of people to him. He must have been extremely- charismatic. Nimrod and the people acted completely as one body. There goal was to reach Heaven via building a tower; sort of like the space programs ( known & secret ). God delayed their goals by mixing up their language so they could not understand each other. Daniel 8:10 mentions what I believe to be a reference to the Nimrod of the last days (led by D-Evil) .This verse may also be referring to the space program as one of the Towers of Babel being used to attack the Kingdom of Heaven . 2. Beware o 3. 4. f any attempts by man to unite the world as one ; for the good of all. 5. 6. Here are two examples that come to mind : Simulcasting of the song We Are The World . I believe the actual tragedy of starving Ethiopians , coupled with our common love of music was used to get the world to thinking that we can save ourselves. This was followed by mini-movements like Hands-Across America and other movements ; which I believe were trying to get us to thinking like those people were thinking when Nimrod proposed that they build a Tower to Heaven. 3.
Beware The Tower Builders ! God is Our Refuge ! Our Tower !
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WAKE UP ! STAY UP MY BROTHERS & SISTERS ! BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
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- Life Is a Game. Have Fun. [ Luke 18:17 / Isaiah 11:6 ]
Was there any discussion about energy needs or investment for energy in this meeting?
Why waste your time with America? Is it today that America is aware of Africa's problems? Africa's problems are largely caused by America's double standard policies. They preach democcracy but sponsor dictatorship on the African continent. Africa turn to China and listen to China and in twinkle of an eye you'll be the envy of the west.
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Active Discussions: Obama Meets African Leaders in New York