Sgt Sostand
07-09-03, 01:12 AM
George W. Bush gets an ambiguous welcome in a country that admires American democracy while resenting its unilateral approach to the world
When George W. Bush and his 600-strong entourage touched down at the Waterkloof Air Force base near Pretoria today, they encountered the mixed reception that is already characterizing the U.S. president’s first tour of Africa. Fresh from his one-day stop in Senegal, Bush disembarked from Air Force One to find a combination of protests against his visit—and a flurry of petitions seeking his support.
IN THE SOUTHERN CITY of Cape Town, a high barbed-wire fence sprang up outside the U.S. Consulate to contain a small but noisy group opposed to the visit and U.S. action in Iraq. The protesters waved cowboy-style “Wanted” placards of Bush and others stating: “IRAQ IS BUSH’S VIETNAM.”
Meanwhile, at the consulate in Pretoria, bristling with security ahead of Bush’s talks with South African President Thabo Mbeki tomorrow, white Afrikaners handed over calls for the U.S. leader to condemn the killing of white farmers and to help end the political crisis in troubled neighboring Zimbabwe.
America’s popularity in South Africa, already waning in the past decade over dislike for what is seen as its “imperialist” foreign policy, has plummeted since the war in Iraq. The Mbeki government and its moral compass, revered former President Nelson Mandela, all strongly opposed the war, with a scathing Mandela describing Bush as “unable to think properly.” Mandela also accuses Bush of eroding multilateral institutions such as the United Nations-an organization he holds in high esteem for its role in promoting global democracy and helping to demolish apartheid.
The groups protesting against the Bush visit include the ruling African National Congress and its political partners, the South African Communist Party and Congress of South African Trade Unions
(Cosatu), as well as the Anti-War Coalition, which staged today’s demonstration. Supporters have been granted permission to march on the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria tomorrow. Organizers hope thousands will turn out for what they expect to be an “orderly” demonstration. Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven said the march would oppose U.S. policy on Iraq, Cuba, Iran, Syria and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
At the same time as it is joining in the protests, the South African government is working hard to play down issues that could rock a generally good relationship with the United States, which has become its biggest trading partner in the decade since the demise of apartheid. Bush arrives in Africa armed with his Millennium Challenge Account of $10 billion over three years to alleviate poverty, a $15 billion pledge over five years to fight HIV-AIDS, and the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act, which allows categories of African exporters duty-free access to U.S. markets.
Indeed, trade and aid is high on the agenda of talks between the two presidents and top officials-including U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, national security adviser Condoleezza Rice and Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Walter Kansteiner-to be held after a glitzy welcome at the Union Buildings overlooking Pretoria and the upscale Sheraton Hotel that will accommodate Bush and his wife Laura. The area has been sealed off and swept by local police and U.S. security specialists, a fleet of bullet-proof cars has been laid on for the U.S. visitors and, reportedly, 16 planeloads of security and communications equipment have been flown in to ensure the delegation’s safety
But it has not helped that on the eve of the first extended tour of
sub-Saharan Africa by a Republican President, the South African government is facing stiff public opposition to a draconian Anti-Terrorism Bill that is seen as U.S.-inspired. Neither has news that the U.S. is cutting military aid worth $7.6 million to this country (and 34 others) for failing by July 1 to indemnify U.S. citizens from prosecution by the International Criminal Court. (South Africa’s Director-General of Foreign Affairs, Abdul Minty, said signing the amnesty would “conflict” with the country’s constitution, and that South Africa had already ratified protocols setting up the ICC. The Mbeki government has also questioned why Botswana and Nigeria, who have not signed the indemnity, are not on the list of those facing what analysts are calling “military sanctions”.)
South Africans are ambivalent about the United States, admiring its power, its economy and its democracy while resenting its approach to the world. Among black people especially, feeling against Bush runs high. Both he and his father are seen as sanctions busters during the apartheid years, and U.S. governments have supported African dictators and terrorist groups in the past. Many are also cynical about Bush’s motives for visiting, believing that the U.S. president is using the trip to polish his image, to extend his war against terror-Washington promised a $100 million anti-terror plan to east African countries last week—or merely to advance American interests. ” Bush is a trouble-maker, look at Iraq,” says Douglas Kaka, 26, a gas station attendant: “Where the United States goes, it is searching for riches—it wants Africa’s oil, and its diamonds and gold.”
Such feeling is not echoed throughout Africa, although most countries on the continent opposed the Iraq war, disapprove of the U.S.’s post-September 11 role in the world and are cynical about U.S. interests. Bush refutes such allegations, arguing that his administration has been “very” involved in Africa and is looking to advance the continent through allocation of aid, which has increased under his presidency. He is also promising to play a more active role in strife-torn Liberia, promising U.S. participation-perhaps including the deployment of American troops—to help enforce a temporary cease-fire there.
Bush’s will spend a full day in South Africa tomorrow, taking part in talks on issues ranging from trade to Zimbabwe and other African trouble-spots, to the situation in Iraq and peace efforts in the Middle East. He and his entourage will then go on to Botswana, Uganda and Nigeria—and, presumably, to a similarly ambiguous reception to that received so far.
When George W. Bush and his 600-strong entourage touched down at the Waterkloof Air Force base near Pretoria today, they encountered the mixed reception that is already characterizing the U.S. president’s first tour of Africa. Fresh from his one-day stop in Senegal, Bush disembarked from Air Force One to find a combination of protests against his visit—and a flurry of petitions seeking his support.
IN THE SOUTHERN CITY of Cape Town, a high barbed-wire fence sprang up outside the U.S. Consulate to contain a small but noisy group opposed to the visit and U.S. action in Iraq. The protesters waved cowboy-style “Wanted” placards of Bush and others stating: “IRAQ IS BUSH’S VIETNAM.”
Meanwhile, at the consulate in Pretoria, bristling with security ahead of Bush’s talks with South African President Thabo Mbeki tomorrow, white Afrikaners handed over calls for the U.S. leader to condemn the killing of white farmers and to help end the political crisis in troubled neighboring Zimbabwe.
America’s popularity in South Africa, already waning in the past decade over dislike for what is seen as its “imperialist” foreign policy, has plummeted since the war in Iraq. The Mbeki government and its moral compass, revered former President Nelson Mandela, all strongly opposed the war, with a scathing Mandela describing Bush as “unable to think properly.” Mandela also accuses Bush of eroding multilateral institutions such as the United Nations-an organization he holds in high esteem for its role in promoting global democracy and helping to demolish apartheid.
The groups protesting against the Bush visit include the ruling African National Congress and its political partners, the South African Communist Party and Congress of South African Trade Unions
(Cosatu), as well as the Anti-War Coalition, which staged today’s demonstration. Supporters have been granted permission to march on the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria tomorrow. Organizers hope thousands will turn out for what they expect to be an “orderly” demonstration. Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven said the march would oppose U.S. policy on Iraq, Cuba, Iran, Syria and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
At the same time as it is joining in the protests, the South African government is working hard to play down issues that could rock a generally good relationship with the United States, which has become its biggest trading partner in the decade since the demise of apartheid. Bush arrives in Africa armed with his Millennium Challenge Account of $10 billion over three years to alleviate poverty, a $15 billion pledge over five years to fight HIV-AIDS, and the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act, which allows categories of African exporters duty-free access to U.S. markets.
Indeed, trade and aid is high on the agenda of talks between the two presidents and top officials-including U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, national security adviser Condoleezza Rice and Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Walter Kansteiner-to be held after a glitzy welcome at the Union Buildings overlooking Pretoria and the upscale Sheraton Hotel that will accommodate Bush and his wife Laura. The area has been sealed off and swept by local police and U.S. security specialists, a fleet of bullet-proof cars has been laid on for the U.S. visitors and, reportedly, 16 planeloads of security and communications equipment have been flown in to ensure the delegation’s safety
But it has not helped that on the eve of the first extended tour of
sub-Saharan Africa by a Republican President, the South African government is facing stiff public opposition to a draconian Anti-Terrorism Bill that is seen as U.S.-inspired. Neither has news that the U.S. is cutting military aid worth $7.6 million to this country (and 34 others) for failing by July 1 to indemnify U.S. citizens from prosecution by the International Criminal Court. (South Africa’s Director-General of Foreign Affairs, Abdul Minty, said signing the amnesty would “conflict” with the country’s constitution, and that South Africa had already ratified protocols setting up the ICC. The Mbeki government has also questioned why Botswana and Nigeria, who have not signed the indemnity, are not on the list of those facing what analysts are calling “military sanctions”.)
South Africans are ambivalent about the United States, admiring its power, its economy and its democracy while resenting its approach to the world. Among black people especially, feeling against Bush runs high. Both he and his father are seen as sanctions busters during the apartheid years, and U.S. governments have supported African dictators and terrorist groups in the past. Many are also cynical about Bush’s motives for visiting, believing that the U.S. president is using the trip to polish his image, to extend his war against terror-Washington promised a $100 million anti-terror plan to east African countries last week—or merely to advance American interests. ” Bush is a trouble-maker, look at Iraq,” says Douglas Kaka, 26, a gas station attendant: “Where the United States goes, it is searching for riches—it wants Africa’s oil, and its diamonds and gold.”
Such feeling is not echoed throughout Africa, although most countries on the continent opposed the Iraq war, disapprove of the U.S.’s post-September 11 role in the world and are cynical about U.S. interests. Bush refutes such allegations, arguing that his administration has been “very” involved in Africa and is looking to advance the continent through allocation of aid, which has increased under his presidency. He is also promising to play a more active role in strife-torn Liberia, promising U.S. participation-perhaps including the deployment of American troops—to help enforce a temporary cease-fire there.
Bush’s will spend a full day in South Africa tomorrow, taking part in talks on issues ranging from trade to Zimbabwe and other African trouble-spots, to the situation in Iraq and peace efforts in the Middle East. He and his entourage will then go on to Botswana, Uganda and Nigeria—and, presumably, to a similarly ambiguous reception to that received so far.