Bush begins his African odyssey..., but is he there to plunder or provide?

[Karmadillo]

Is Bush there to plunder or provide? Hmmmmmmm. Plunder or provide? Tough, tough question.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,993026,00.html

Whoever named the landscape of northern Sao Tome was an optimist. Overlooking the collection of shacks known as Morro Peixe is a Mount Hope, from which Gold river flows to the Atlantic, where villagers in canoes seek turtles and prawns.
These days everyone is talking of the other riches beneath the waves, the oil, but Hipolito Lima wonders whether it will spare his six children from poverty.

Few things are certain in this tiny island nation linked to the world by Air Gabon, better known as Air Perhaps, and the 53-year-old fisherman suspects the landscape was named ironically. "The oil is an opportunity, sure. But whether we benefit depends on the conscience of the big guys." Mr Lima never finished school but he knows enough African history to conclude that oil and prosperity do not mix.

The person with the most power to change that will step from Air Force One today on to African soil for a week-long visit billed as a mission to help the likes of the Lima children. George Bush comes with no treaties to shred, no enemies to warn, no troops to congratulate. Instead, the warrior president brings promises of billions of dollars and a series of initiatives to relieve the continent's suffering.

Starting in Senegal and continuing in South Africa, Botswana, Uganda and Nigeria, he will unveil a kinder, gentler touch.

more...

[bemildred]

1. It's a good question.

Oil comes to mind of course.
The possibility of avoiding protestors.
The illusion of magnanimity.
But it seems stupid and risky on the whole.
I assume it's just ignorance in action as usual.