Washington D.C. — Among the 3,000 delegates gathered here for the National Summit on Africa, both the presence and words of President Clinton were warmly received. "Africa matters," he proclaimed reflecting the banner stretched above him on the wall.
Hailing his administration's accomplishments and making new promises, Clinton said the United States must provide greater support for debt relief, conflict resolution and disease control in Africa. Clinton also called on Congress to join the administration in approving a $40 million contribution to the cost of a United Nations ceasefire monitoring force for the Democratic Republic of Congo.
After the speech, however, many in the gathering worried about the substance behind the pledges and saw a politician taking advantage of a political opportunity. Noting Clinton's promise of $300 million to fight aids in Africa, Mel Foote of the Constituency for Africa responded, "that's parking meter money. And Clinton's my guy. I love him. But he's a snowmaster, a political mastermind."
Economist Robert Brown, a member of the New Jersey delegation, hopes President Clinton's presence and remarks mean more vigorous attention to African issues. "I hear that over and over from people who want that to be the case," he said. Brown can only offer a tentative "maybe." If there is a policy shift towards taking Africa more seriously, several delegates said, it will be because Summit participants go home and make it happen.
"People here will make the difference," said a Summit official. "One of the important but not remarked on things about this meeting are the new people we've brought into the Africa discussion. We've got Utahans, politicians from Colorado. People from the South and outside the usual organizations."
Africans in attendance appeared to welcome the pan African cast to the meeting and took advantage of the opportunity to network. At one table in an eating area, Eritreans and Ethiopians, whose governments are waging war over a border dispute, engaged in informal discussion.
But protocol and the desire for political change coexist uneasily in the Summit setting. "It seemed strange to watch President Clinton talk of human rights with Daniel Arap Moi sitting there," said one delegate, referring to the president of Kenya, who has been accused of widespread corruption and authoritarian practices.. It was reported that later in a private meeting with Moi, Clinton "delivered a very stern message" on the need for constitutional and economic reform.
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"Deliberative" sessions over the next two days will discuss a number of issues. But one issue dominates the conference undertone: Recognizing that a "constituency for Africa" needs to be built in the United States, is this the organization to do it?
