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Name
Omar
- Egypt
Profession
Question
How do you explain the sudden interest in Africa exhibited by the Bush administration? Is this really just an attempt to mute international and domestic criticism of Bush’s militaristic policies?
Answer
Clearly, there is a contradiction in Bush's policies. In his election campaign he made it clear that Africa would not be among his administration's priorities, though he later went to Africa to demonstrate the importance of Africa for the US. There are several reasons for this:
1. African oil.
2. American Military bases on the African coast, especially in the Red Sea.
3. Finally, for business interests and exchange.
Name
Frank
- Germany
Profession
Question
I heard on the news that the US has a small amphibious force off the coast of Liberia, which greatly surprised me. Can the Americans afford to commit troops to Liberia, and isn’t this in opposition to Bush’s policy of avoiding unnecessary foreign entanglements?
Answer
American policy opposes the present Liberian head of state, Mr. Charles Taylor, and the US government is working for his removal. However, they only sent a token force, as the US administration fears for its forces. They are, however, expected to send more troops as part of the international force expected in Liberia as a result of the Security Council resolution.
Name
Ahmed Uthman
- Saudi Arabia
Profession
Question
How serious are Bush and his advisors about committing to African development?
Answer
Mr. Bush stated in his election campaign that the US was not interested in building new states, which is a reference to African development. The US has come to Africa to secure their interests in oil or natural resources, or to counter the French presence in Africa.
Among the most important US interests is the military base on the Red Sea and the African coast, to contain the Arab states. These American interests cannot be secured if Africa undergoes peace and stability; that is why the US is working to pepetuate African conflicts. They are not concerned for peace, stability and development.
Mr. Bush did not fulfill his financial promises or his promises pertaining to the eradication of AIDS made during his recent visit to Africa, while at the same time, he is planning to export waste products to Africa, rather than the Agricultural development that was requested by the Ugandan President at the Afro-American trade summit.
Name
Farouk
-
Profession
Question
Mr. Nahal
Is there a clear objective for American policy towards Africa, or is it a hidden one?
Answer
There surely is a hidden agenda for US policy towards Africa. The US media is picturing the US administration as committed to African development, peace and security. Mr. Bush, in his recent visit to Africa, promised all those things. However, what is going on in the Great Lakes, Liberia, Sudan, etc. proves contrary to US policy. Rather than the US supporting the peace process in Sudan, it is supporting the opposition led by John Garang. Instead of making peace in Somilia, it is sending 3000 troops to Djibouti. Instead of aiding the agricultural development of Africa, it is requesting that African states lift customs on its products.
Name
William F.
- United States
Profession
Question
I have to ask, why those specific countries Bush visited? What’s special about Nigeria, Botswana, Uganda, etc?
Answer
Nigeria is the biggest African state in terms of population, and the sixth largest exporter of oil to the US. In 2001, its total export was two million barrels per day, and that is expected to increase to 3.2 million barrels per day in 2020. There is no doubt that oil was the main purpose for Mr. Bush's visit.
Uganda is a strong ally of the US, and it plays an important role in the Great Lakes region and all neigbhoring states, such as Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Botswana is a small African state with good relations with the US and Israel, and it is rich in natural resources.
Name
Pol
- Singapore
Profession
Question
Is there much confidence on the part of the African nations President Bush visited that the help he promised the continent will materialize? How did they deal with his visit?
Answer
I don't feel that the general African public opinon is convinced, but the governments of the states visited have good links with the US, because they are in need for financial aid. For instant, Niger is the second poorest country in the world, and its government wouldn't exist without aid, as wouldn't many African states.
Name
Ziyad
- Qatar
Profession
Question
Are there any positive prospects for American involvement in Africa? Is such involvement even welcomed by the Africans?
Answer
The current weakness in Africa is caused by the unending state and civil conflicts, which have left the continent open to US and British involvement and to a new colonialism. Therefore, there is a warm welcome from the Africans to US and European involvement. In Liberia, for example, the government and the opposition requested that the US intervene, and also in the Ivory coast, both the government and the armed opposition welcomed the French intervention. The Eritrian president told the media that the opening of the US base is the least his country could offer the US. The current situation in Africa leads one to predict a dark future.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Question
Finally, we would like to thank our guest for speaking to Islamonline viewers today, and we also thank all viewers who participated with us in this dialogue. We apolgize for not being able to accomodate all the questions within the time allocated to this session. We request our viewers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
