Abuja — President George Bush concluded a five-nation tour of Africa Saturday with a speech in Nigeria promising that the United States "will help this vast continent of possibilities to reach its full potential."
Speaking to a summit of African and African American leaders in the capital Abuja, Bush called Africa "a continent of great challenge and promise" and said, "the people of Africa, when given their rights and given their chance, will achieve great things on this continent of possibilities."
He praised his host, President Olusegun Obasanjo for an "honest approach" to the fight against HIV/Aids. "The progress we are already seeing in parts of Africa is proof that AIDS can be defeated in Africa," Bush told the gathering, called the Sullivan Summit after the late African American leader, the Rev. Leon Sullivan, whose work the president praised in his opening remarks. "With greater opportunity, the peoples of Africa will build their own future of hope," he said. Earlier in the day, the president and his entourage met HIV/Aids patients at an Abuja clinic.
The six-day trip, which included stops in Senegal, South Africa, Botswana and Uganda, was the first to sub-Saharan Africa by a sitting Republican president and the third by any American head of state. Throughout his journey, Bush promised U.S support for combating HIV/Aids, strengthening Africa's economies and boosting security for the fight against terrorism.
"This has been a wonderful week for Laura and me. We have seen the rich culture and resources of Africa, as well as the continuing challenges of Africa," Bush said. "I have confidence in Africa's future because I believe in the goodness and the compassion and the enterprise of the men and women on this continent. With greater opportunity, the peoples of Africa will build their own future of hope."
Bush called on Congress to finance his plan to distribute $15 billion over five years to 14 countries in Africa and the Caribbean most afflicted by the spread of HIV/Aids. "The House of Representatives and the United States Senate must fully fund this initiative for the good of the people on this continent of Africa," he said.
Last week, a House committee approved about $2 billion for fiscal year 2004 that begins October 1, a billion less than the average expenditure required to meet the president's stated goal. The administration has come under fire for failing to lobby for the full amount, but Condoleeza Rice, the president s national security advisor, told reporters traveling on Air Force One that "we're making phone calls" and "pushing hard on Congress to fully fund."
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Bush and his Nigerian counterpart held about 45 minutes of private discussion that touched on HIV/Aids, Liberia, and economic issues important to both governments. Nearly 20 percent of oil imports into the United States comes from Africa, most of it from Nigeria, a figure that could climb to 25 percent over the next decade.
"Nigeria is nation of great diversity and great promise," Bush said in his speech. "My country deeply appreciates the friendship of Nigeria." During a photo opportunity following the meeting, Obasanjo welcomed the American president's visit as an "indication that Africa is to be reckoned with in the emerging world order."
On the question of Liberia, Bush said the United States would assist West African governments who have agreed to send an intervention force to maintain the ceasefire that has been in effect for two weeks. But he stopped short of any specific announcement.
African leaders, joined by the British and French governments and United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, have called upon Bush to provide American troops as well as logistical and communications support for the peacekeeping effort.
"The United States strongly supports the cease-fire that was signed last month," Bush said. "President Taylor needs to leave Liberia so that his country can be spared further grief and bloodshed."
Asked by reporters during the photo session with Obasanjo when he would decide whether to send troops, he said the assessment of humanitarian needs and of what is required to keep the cease fire in place must be completed before any decision is made. "We need to know exactly what is necessary to achieve our objectives," he said.
