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Although many Africans, especially Muslims, share negative perceptions of Bush's foreign policy with other parts of the world, there is widespread recognition of his successful humanitarian and health initiatives on the continent.
Bush has spent more money on aid to Africa than his predecessor, Bill Clinton, and is popular for his personal programs to fight AIDS and malaria and to help hospitals and schools.
Bush has stressed new-style partnerships with Africa based on trade and investment and not purely on aid handouts.
His Millennium Challenge Corp. rewards countries that continue to satisfy criteria for democratic governance, anti-corruption and free-market economic policies.
Bush signed the largest such deal, for $698 million, with Kikwete on Sunday.
Because of the U.S. anti-malaria program, 5 percent of patients tested positive for the disease on the offshore islands of Zanzibar in 2007 compared to 40 percent three years earlier, the Tanzanian leader said.
Bush's legacy in Africa would be saving the lives of hundreds of thousands of mothers and children who would otherwise have died from malaria or AIDS and enabling millions of people to get an education, he said.
"I know you leave office in about 12 months' time. Rest assured that you will be remembered for many generations to come for the good things you've done for Tanzania and the good things you have done for Africa," Kikwete said.
full reuters article here.
something else i found particularly interesting has to do with kosovo's declaration of independence:
China, Indonesia and Sri Lanka on Monday criticized Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia while Taiwan and Australia welcomed it, as Kosovo’s move appeared a litmus test of attitudes in Asia toward secession.
The Beijing government, which has threatened military action if Taiwan declares formal independence, voiced “grave concern” at Sunday’s action by the Kosovo Parliament in Pristina.
“China is deeply worried about its severe and negative impact on peace and stability of the Balkan region and the goal of establishing a multi-ethnic society in Kosovo,” said Liu Jianchao, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman.
China’s hostility to independence for Kosovo aligns it with Russia, a close ally of Serbia that has struggled with its own separatist movements over the years, most notably in Chechnya.
China is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and Mr. Liu alluded to the council in a statement on Monday that also seemed to tilt toward Russia and Serbia without taking a specific position. The Kosovo issue affects, “the fundamental norms governing international relations as well as the authority and role of the U.N. Security Council,” Mr. Liu said.
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Taiwan quickly congratulated Kosovo on Monday in terms that echoed the desire of some Taiwanese for a complete political break with mainland China. “Despite a multitude of barriers, the people of Kosovo have insisted on an ideal that they believe in, which is to peacefully pursue independence, without being threatened or scared away,” Taiwan’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Diplomats from Taipei and Beijing maneuver constantly around the world to establish diplomatic ties with even the smallest countries — a struggle that Beijing has been winning lately, with just two dozen small countries left that still recognize Taiwan.
The Vatican is the only state in Europe to recognize Taiwan, prompting efforts in the past year by Taiwan to win favor, and perhaps eventual recognition, in Pristina.
“Of course, we would like to develop further relations with countries which cherish democracy and freedom,” said Phoebe Yeh, a Taiwan foreign ministry spokeswoman.
In Beijing, Mr. Liu responded that Taiwan was part of China and had no right to extend diplomatic recognition to anywhere.
China also faces frequent criticism from overseas groups objecting to its control of Tibet and Xinjiang province.
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full nytimes article here.
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