Interesting But Unconfirmed: Iranian Arms Offloaded in Eritrea

According to informed sources quoted by an opposition Eritrean website, an Iranian vessel carrying a variety of weapons docked at Massawa Port on December 7th.

The report, on Adoulis.com, quoted the sources as saying that the ship, which was also carrying food items, unloaded at a warehouse near the main dock at Massawa and alleged "that the unloading was seen by a representative of the Somali Mujahidin Youth Movement, a representatives of the Huthis [Yemeni rebel group], and a third person believed to be a representative of the opposition in Djibouti."

The item went on to note that the UN Security Council passed a resolution on 23 December to impose sanctions on Eritrea for its support of the Somali rebels and its
refusal to withdraw from territory in Djibouti.

Editor's Note: We've seen similar allegations of Iranian involvement with Eritrea but only from opposition sources.

Angola Delays Election Again (and Again and Again)

Angola's president says the country's first post-war presidential election will likely be delayed for another three years.

The Voice of America reports President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who had previously said the vote would take place in 2009, says he wants his MPLA party to complete the mandate it won in last year's parliamentary elections.

That suggests the presidential vote would take place at the same time or after the next legislative polls in 2012.

Mr. dos Santos signalled the delay during a speech Thursday at a party conference in Angola's capital of Luanda.

President dos Santos, who has ruled Angola since 1979, has delayed the presidential poll several times.

The former rebel movement that is now the main opposition party, UNITA, has been calling for an election since Angola ended its 27-year civil war in 2002.

The leader says he will announce another date for the presidential election after parliament approves a new constitution in March. The Angolan government opened public debate on a new constitution in November.

Mr. dos Santos's MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola) won a sweeping victory in the 2008 parliamentary elections. His government has been using oil revenue to rebuild infrastructure and the economy after the long civil war.

The MPLA has been in power since independence from Portugal in 1975.

Al-Qaida in the Maghreb Claims Responsibility for Kidnappings

The Algerian-based group al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb is claiming responsibility for last month's kidnapping of three Spanish aid workers in Mauritania and a Frenchman in Mali. VOA's Scott Stearns reports the kidnapping claim came in an audio tape given to the Al Jazeera television network.

The broadcaster's website reports a man identifying himself as Saleh Abu Mohammad says that France and Spain will be informed later about the kidnappers' demands.

Spain says it can not confirm the validity of the claim, but is investigating the report.

Three Spanish aid workers were kidnapped on November 29th south of the Mauritanian city, Nouadhibou, on the road to the capital, Nouakchott. Gunmen abducted a Frenchman in eastern Mali on November 26th.

Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb is a Sunni organization which was formerly known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat. It began as an insurrection against Algeria's secular military rulers after they canceled parliament elections in 1992, when it appeared a coalition of Islamist groups might take power.

It has since expanded and aligned itself with the broader al-Qaida terrorist network, claiming responsibility for suicide bombings in Algeria last year and the kidnapping of two Austrian tourists in Tunisia who were later freed in Mali.

The group also claimed responsibility for last December's kidnapping of Canadian diplomat Robert Fowler and his aide in Niger, as well as the abduction of four European tourists returning from a nomadic cultural festival in January. One of those tourists was killed.

Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb says it killed an American teacher in Nouakchott in June, because he was allegedly trying to convert Muslims to Christianity.

It is considered a terrorist group by the U.S. State Department and the European Union.

Journalism 101

An old friend and the best editor I ever had has surfaced on the Internet. Please take a look at http://www.larrymccoyonline.com/ and in particular his "New Essay." I'll only quote from the most important part: an Editors' Code of Conduct. Here it is and if you've ever worked in a newsroom, you should appreciate every entry:

I ( insert name ) do hereby pledge that I will never slap, stab,
slug, shoot, strangle, or suffocate a writer/reporter nor will I scream
"you stupid son-of-a-bitch" or "you're the biggest asshole I've ever
met and you obviously come from a long line of assholes" when
the aforementioned person turns over copy, either near or far
from deadline, in which:

---The lead sentence begins with the word "meanwhile."

---The lead sentence is 87 words long, has nine commas, four
parenthetical thoughts and ends with a question mark.

---Montana is described as a state in the Midwest.

---The writer/reporter, when questioned about a key element in
the story, says, "How would I know? I don't understand it myself."

---A person named Miles Brewster IV is quoted as an eyewitness
to a big apartment fire in Connecticut when three weeks earlier a
Miles Brewster IV was said to be the only person who saw a mother
of three drive her car with the kids inside into a lake in Utah.

---The name of the town from which the reporter is allegedly
reporting is consistently misspelled.

---The lead paragraph says so-and-so was badly hurt in an accident,
and the fact that this person is now the late so-and-so is buried in the
11th paragraph.

---The expression "as everyone now knows" or "as is obvious to
anyone" is used.

---The writer/reporter refuses to include any meaningful back-
ground information, claiming "we've already reported that."

---Glenn Beck is presented as speaking for "Middle America,"
wherever that is.

---The copy looks exactly like what was on the AP wire minutes
ago, including the same five typos.

---An analysis piece ends with the wishy-washy "only time will tell."

---The writer/reporter misuses (after having the difference
explained to him 2,367 times) the words "infer" and "imply."

---The writer/reporter, when asked about a quote that doesn't
make sense, says, "Well, I think that's what she said. I didn't write
that part down."

---Any politician who isn't from the East Coast or the West Coast
is said to be "a leading representative of the Bible Belt."

---The winners of the World Series are called the "World
Champions."

And don't miss Larry's Memoir. It's titled "A Life Spent in What Is Now A Frivolous Profession."

Where Others Have Failed: China Drills for Oil in Kenya

A Chinese energy company has begun digging what will be the deepest oil well in Kenya, a country that has been searching for commercial oil for decades.

According to VOA, Kenyan Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi said Wednesday the oil well in northern Kenya eventually will reach a depth of more than five kilometers.

He says it will take China's state-owned oil producer CNOOC at least six months to determine whether there is oil at the site, and he appealed to Kenyans for patience.

Murungi spoke in Nairobi at a ceremony to inaugurate the project. Authorities moved the event to the Kenyan capital due to heavy rains at the Boghal-1 site in the Anza Basin.

Ten oil wells have been drilled previously in the Anza Basin but only to a maximum depth of 3,000 meters.

The Kenyan energy minister says the Boghal-1 oil well is expected to yield much more data for future exploration work than any of the 31 other wells drilled in the country so far.

Who's Doing Business With China? Surprise: Guinea Says It's A Good Deal!

VOA's Scott Stearns is reporting that Guinea's military ruler is defending a $7-billion mineral deal with China. Guinea is under a regional arms embargo following last month's killing of opposition protesters.

Guinea's military government says the Chinese mineral contract will improve the lives of its people by boosting investments in infrastructure including power plants and rail lines.

Mining Minster Mahmoud Thiam says the Chinese company will be a "strategic partner in all mining projects." Guinea is the world's largest source of aluminum ore and also has diamonds and gold.

The $7-billion deal has drawn criticism from human rights groups and political opponents as it provides an important source of revenue for a military government facing sanctions over the killing of opposition demonstrators.

The Economic Community of West African States has already imposed an arms embargo and the African Union is threatening further sanctions over last month's violence.

Human rights groups say at least 157 people were killed in a demonstration against the expected presidential candidacy of military ruler Captain Moussa Camara. The military government says 57 people died, most in the crush of people fleeing the main sports stadium.

U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley would not comment directly on the Chinese mineral deal but said Washington has "expressed concerns about this kind of activity" because the United States believes "it's important that as you do business with countries you also have respect for human rights."

Chinese Foreign Affairs spokesman Ma Zhaoxu says the deal is in line with the interests of the people of both Guinea and China and is based on principles of equality and mutual benefit. He says investments by the Hong-Kong-registered firm behind the deal will help develop Guinea's economy and improve the lives of its people.

Captain Camara says it is a good deal for Guinea. He says the only reason it is drawing so much attention is because he is embarrassing foreign companies that he says have been stealing Guinea's mineral wealth for years.

Captain Camara praised young members of the military and the civil service who he says have the patriotic courage and conviction to join his campaign to develop Guinea by engaging in contracts with foreign investors who provide a win-win partnership for the country.

Captain Camara is calling on political opponents to join him in an interim government of national unity. But the main coalition of political parties, trade unions, and civil society groups says it will not take part in ECOWAS mediation unless Captain Camara resigns.

Mouctar Diallo of the New Forces of Democracy Party praised West African leaders for listening to opposition concerns and acting on an arms embargo.

Diallo says the ECOWAS decision is inspired and most welcomed because political opponents were afraid that parts of the army were importing weapons to use against the people of Guinea as they did on September 28. Diallo says the arms embargo should not just be a piece of paper but is something that must be enforced.

Diallo says a United Nations inquiry into the violence meant to shine light on the massacre will only succeed if it has the collaboration of the military government.

Captain Camara is promising to cooperate with that investigation and has launched his own inquiry into the violence.

He denies any responsibility for the killing because he was not at the stadium. He is blaming both political opponents who he says should not have had an illegal demonstration and what he calls "uncontrollable elements" of Guinea's military.

New Threat Against Chinese from al-Qaida

China Daily this week reported a new al-Qaida threat against Chinese targets in "reprisal" for the July 5 riots in Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Abu Yahya al-Libi, in a video posted on an Islamist website, urged Uygurs in Xinjiang to "make serious preparations" for a "holy war" against the Chinese government and called on fellow Muslims for support.

This is not the first time a terrorist group has threatened to attack Chinese targets after the July riots, in which nearly 200 civilians, most of them Han Chinese, were killed.

In mid-July, al-Qaida's Algerian-based offshoot, Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), issued a call for "reprisals".

AQIM pledged to target the 50,000 Chinese workers in Algeria as well as Chinese projects and workers across northwest Africa.

The Chinese embassy in Algeria then issued a statement on its website urging Chinese organizations and citizens in Algeria to be on alert.

Congolese President Keen To Open Embassy In Tehran! Really?

Iran's Fars News Agency is reporting that Congolese President Joseph Kabila is "eager" to open an embassy in Iran. At least that is what the country's Foreign Minister Basile Ikouebe is quoted by Fars as telling his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki in a meeting on the sidelines of the 64th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sunday.

Ikouebe is quoted as saying "The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo... is willing to open the Congo embassy in the Iranian capital Tehran as soon as possible."

Question: Given Iran's, how shall we put it, rather controversial activities of recent days --- testing missiles and admitting to having a secret nuclear facility --- is this really the best time for any nation to be "eager" to engage with Iran? Could this report perhaps contain a bit of exaggeration?

China and Africa: Aid With a Catch?

An eye-catching article in today's New York Times on China's expanding business dealings in Africa. You can read the whole item here.

But here is the general point of the report:

"From Pakistan to Angola to Kyrgyzstan, China is using its enormous pool of foreign currency savings to cement diplomatic alliances, secure access to natural resources and drum up business for its flagship companies. Foreign aid — typically cut-rate loans, sometimes bundled with more commercial lines of credit — is central to this effort.



"Leaders of developing nations have embraced China’s sales pitch of easy credit, without Western-style demands for political or economic reform, for a host of unmet needs. The results can be clearly seen in new roads, power plants, and telecommunications networks across the African continent — more than 200 projects since 2001, many financed with preferential loans from the Chinese government’s Exim Bank.



"Increasingly, though, experts argue that China’s aid comes with a major catch: It must be used to buy goods or services from companies, many of them state-controlled, that Chinese officials select themselves. Competitive bidding by the borrowing nation is discouraged, and China pulls a veil over vital data like project costs, loan terms and repayment conditions. Even the dollar amount of loans offered as foreign aid is treated as a state secret.



"Anticorruption crusaders complain that secrecy invites corruption, and that corruption debases foreign assistance."

Have we heard this kind of thing before? Yep. I found this item from October 2008 on the Voice of America website. In it, then U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Jendayi Frazier was quoted as saying China needs to be more transparent with how it gives debt relief and loans to African nations.

"We certainly are concerned about China's lending practices potentially undermining our efforts to insure that Africa doesn't reaccumulate unsustainable debt," said Frazer. "We don't want to on the one hand cancel that debt and then on the other hand, China's giving more debt."

Operation Objective Voice Update

The U.S. military’s Africa Command is seeking $7.8 million for the fiscal year beginning October 1st to continue Operation Objective Voice, an operation described by AFRICOM as one “that strikes at the heart of violent extremist ideology” through broadcast and other messages. The operation, first reported here exclusively in April of this year, involves the deployment of Military Information Support Teams, known as MISTs, in Africa.

A spokesman for AFRICOM confirmed the budget request for the 2010 fiscal year in response to an inquiry from this blog. Efforts to obtain information on actual spending on the program during the past year have been unsuccessful.

In the past, Africa Command confirmed the deployment of Military Information Support Teams (MISTs) in Nigeria, Mali and Kenya. An AFRICOM official said those teams have undertaken several programs. He said these include Ethnic and Religious Tolerance programs, Anti-Smuggling/Anti-Trafficking programs, Conflict Resolution training or broad-based radio programming. In Kenya, for example, the official said the MIST team has conducted Peace and Reconciliation programs. These efforts are closely coordinated with U.S. Embassy programs.

The official disclosed AFRICOM has also conducted OOV-sponsored surveys in Chad, Niger, Senegal, and Algeria. "We have sponsored an Embassy program in Niger. We are working on OOV programming initiatives in Senegal and Burkina Faso. We also have MISTs deployed to Mauritania, Niger, and Ethiopia," the official revealed earlier this year.

Although not specifically conceived as part of OOV, the official confirms AFRICOM sponsors a news and information website, www.magharebia.com. He said AFRICOM also has Civil Affairs teams conducting small-scale Humanitarian Assistance projects in several countries; and "while these are not funded or overseen by OOV, they also contribute to the achievement of the command's OOV Effects," the official said.

The AFRICOM official said the MISTs deployed in Africa did not deploy with radio, television or other equipment of their own. He said they use capabilities already in existence in the countries where they work.

He said, "Typically (though not always), they will employ TV, radio, newspapers, billboards and posters, and what we call 'Durable Messaging Goods' (the things you give to people, such as shirts, hats, soccer balls, etc.). TV may include buying ad time or sponsoring documentaries; radio may include buying ad time, sponsoring live discussions or call-in shows, or producing radio dramas/series."

According to Foreign Policy online, the durable messaging goods including “advertising vehicles,” such as mosquito nets and water bottles that are not explicitly identified as coming from the U.S. government.

Asked by AFRICOMWatch if the U.S. military was considering the deployment of Commando Solo airborne broadcasting platforms, the official said earlier this year it is an option. "While we may seek to deploy it, it would likely be a temporary measure in support of a specific operation, such as Counter Piracy operations. It would likely NOT be deployed in support of OOV; because OOV is a long-term effort in several countries, and the temporary employment of an airborne broadcast platform is not well-suited to long-term OOV needs."

In the meantime, the Voice of America has reported the U.S. is planning to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles in the Seychelles islands to combat piracy. The use of land-based drones is a new approach to deter ship hijackings in the region.

VOA’s Alisha Ryu quoted a spokesman for the U.S. military's Africa Command as saying several Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles will be in the Seychelles by late October or November. He says they will be used to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions throughout the Indian Ocean region.

On Vacation

Back in mid-September. See you then.

Ward: Challenging The Misinformation About AFRICOM

General William Ward, commander of U.S. Africa Command, spoke on the command's mission, programs, structure, and public perception during an interview with Reed Kramer, the CEO of All Africa Global Media, on July 13, 2009. The transcript has just been released. It's available on AFRICOM's own website but here is an excerpt that I found particularly noteworthy.

Having reported pre-AFRICOM how African leaders had complained theirs was the only continent that did not have a dedicated Pentagon military command, I found it amusing once AFRICOM was unveiled how there was a sudden groundswell of criticism and how this groundswell found a ready audience in many news outlets.

So, back to the interview. The questioner refers to the "rocky" start of AFRICOM and the command's difficulties battling negative perceptions. General Ward adroitly responds, noting the perceptions are changing because people aren't seeing what the critics had led them to believe they would see:

MR. KRAMER: I wonder what your readout of the perception is. By all accounts, the start -- AFRICOM start was a bit rocky. And, as you know, there were a lot of even governments and institutions that spoke up in opposition and criticism of AFRICOM. Is that changing? Is the perception of AFRICOM changing as you get up and running?

GEN. WARD: The perception is changing, and it's changing not because of anything in particular. It's changing because of what people are not seeing. All the things that were talked about that led to that criticism, none of that is the case.

And what they are seeing is an enhanced, more dedicated approach to our working with them as true partners, listening to them and doing things with them that clearly are in our interests, because having a stable continent of Africa is in our national security interest. But also, having Africans be responsible for that likewise is in our security interest, not doing for them; helping them do for themselves.

And over the past year, year-and-a-half now, what the Africans are seeing is not something that they were at least led to believe by some that might be the case. What they are seeing is what we have been saying from the beginning, what we have been consistently saying since my time as the commander of the command, now approaching two years, and the type of actions and activities that we are conducting, all reflective of those sorts of things that we have been saying.

And so I think it's a combination of that that has caused a change in the perception, clearly an increasingly level of acceptance of who we are and what we are. And, again, as is mostly reflected in all the things that were said that we would be doing, that's not the case, namely coming to the continent with huge numbers of forces, establishing bases, and all those sorts of things that just were never the case and now folks say, well, gee, that's not happening.

And so, the welcoming of our work with them to assist them in creating additional security capacity to care for their own problems, as that complements other things that need to be happening in these societies, from the developmental side, from the area of -- you know, the governance side, things that the president talked about as well.

Sunlight is the Best Disinfectant: Clinton, Africa and Corruption

An excerpt from the speech this week by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the 8th Forum of the African Growth and Opportunity Act in Nairobi, Kenya:

True economic progress – (applause) – depends not only on the hard work of millions of people who get up every day and do the best they can, often under overwhelming circumstances; it also depends on responsible governments that reject corruption, enforce the rule of law, and deliver results for their people. This is not just about good governance; this is about good business. Investors will be attracted to states that do this, and they will not be attracted to states with failed or weak leadership, or crime and civil unrest or corruption that taints every transaction and decision.

The private sector and civil society are playing an increasingly important role across Africa in holding governments accountable and demanding fairer, more open, more just economies and societies. Leaders have to lead. They have to demonstrate to their people that democracy does deliver. Sustainable progress is not possible in countries that fail to be good stewards of their natural resources, where the profits from oil and minerals line the pockets of oligarchs who are corporations a world away, but do little to promote long-term growth and prosperity.

The solution starts with transparency. A famous judge in my country once said that sunlight is the best disinfectant, and there’s a lot of sunlight in Africa. African countries are starting to embrace this view through participation in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Creating a favorable investment climate requires countries to translate politics into governing. A famous American politician, Mario Cuomo, once said you campaign in politics, in poetry, but you have to govern in prose – the hard work of explaining what you’re doing and getting the results that you promise.

It is important that we recognize that progress has been made when elections are held. And many people believe that democracy is alive and well because an election has taken place. But as important as elections are, democracy is not just about the ballot box. Citizens and governments need to work together to build and sustain strong democratic institutions. From an independent and confident judiciary, to a professional and dedicated civil service, to a free press and vibrant civil society, we’ve learned this in my own country. We are still working to improve our democracy after 230 years, and we want to give you some of the benefit of the mistakes that we’ve made and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. And we stand ready to serve as partners to citizens and leaders looking to improve governance and transparency.

Clinton's Africa Trip: It's Not About China, Stupid! (Though Oil Does Have Something To Do With It)

Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, met with reporters this past week to discuss Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's upcoming trip to Africa. She will travel to Kenya, South Africa, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Liberia, and Cape Verde to "highlight and underscore the Obama Administration's commitment to making Africa a priority in U.S. foreign policy," according to Carson.

You can read the full transcript of his briefing here.

But one question-and-answer caught my eye. It involved Clinton's stops in oil-rich Angola and Nigeria, two countries where China has recently been active:

QUESTION: Janine Zacharia with Bloomberg. Just really quickly on the oil countries that you're going to, can you be a little bit more specific about what she'll be looking for in Nigeria and Angola besides reforms? I mean, obviously, Nigeria's election was a disaster. I mean, what specifically does she want from those energy-producing countries? And if you could address the China -- potential rivalry there in those countries as well, if that's spurring her to go there?

AMBASSADOR CARSON: No. The Secretary is going there because we have serious political, economic and hydrocarbon interest in those countries. In Nigeria, U.S. oil companies play a significant role, both in investment and production. U.S. investment in Nigeria in the oil production and service industry is well in excess of $15 billion. We are one of the leading purchasers of South African -- sorry, of Nigerian oil. And we think that it's important to discuss with Nigeria a range of issues. We are concerned about having a good energy relationship with them. We're interested in seeing them continue to play a positive regional role, including providing peacekeepers to key conflict areas. We also believe it is also important for them to deal with some of their domestic issues. We'd like to see greater improvement in their electoral performance and strengthen -- which will help to strengthen their democracy.

We'd also like them to address issues of corruption and transparency. When there is an absence of transparency and when there is a great deal of corruption, it makes the business environment extremely difficult. I think it was a point that the President made in his speech to the parliament in Accra, Ghana. If in fact you have democratic governance, respect rule of law, it is easier to draw in investment and business opportunities because people are certain and assured that they will be treated fairly. These are all issues -- the range of issues were there.

The Secretary is going because we have interest in working with Angola and Nigeria in strengthening our relationship with two major countries, oil-producing countries on the continent, working with them on issues in the global environment and the community that are important to them as well as us. Our presence there has nothing to do with anyone else's operations on the continent. The mention of our colleagues from Asia is a Cold War paradigm, not a reflection of where we are today.

Kenya and the Somali Raiders: Security and Corruption

The New York Times has a provocative item today about the security threat posed by the porousness of Kenya's border with Somalia. It says radical Islamic militia can slip easily into Kenya, endangering foreign embassies and westerners living in Nairobi.

Scary. And initially I was prepared to dismiss it as one of those "let's-scare-the-reader" type stories, often based on hypothetical scenarios, that I associate with certain other news organizations.

Indeed, it may be an overblown fear but there is some substance, as the article notes, involving cross-border incidents by Somalis. (Of course those sorts of things have been going on for decades. "Shifta" bandits from Somalia have historically raided northern Kenya.)

But the other reason the item caught my eye was the link between insecurity and corruption -- and this relates to the previous post about Michela Wrong's new book about Kenya and corruption.

So read the following excerpt or check out the whole NYTimes item.

"...the creeping fear, the one that keeps the security staffs at Western embassies awake at night, is that the Shabab or its foreign jihadist allies will infiltrate Kenya and attack some of the tens of thousands of Westerners living in the country, possibly in a major strike like Al Qaeda did in 1998.



"Last month, Western counterterrorism experts in Kenya sent out text messages warning expatriates to stay away from malls in Nairobi, Kenya’s usually laid-back capital, because of possible suicide attacks by the Shabab. A few weeks later, the group threatened to destroy Nairobi’s “tall, glass buildings.”



"The Shabab has already penetrated refugee camps inside Kenya, according to camp elders, luring away dozens of young men with promises of paradise — and $300 each. It has carried out cross-border attacks, kidnapping an outspoken cleric in May from a refugee camp 50 miles inside Kenya. Last Wednesday, in one of its boldest cross-border moves yet, a squad of uniformed, heavily armed Shabab fighters stormed into a Kenyan school in a remote town, rounding up all the children and telling them to quit their classes and join the jihad.



“If these guys can come in with their guns and uniforms in broad daylight,” said one of the teachers at the school, “they must be among us.”



"Then on Saturday it happened again: Somali gunmen, widely believed to be with the Shabab, stormed the offices of an aid organization and kidnapped three aid workers from a Kenyan border town before melting back into Somalia.



American and British advisers are working closely with Kenyan counterterrorism teams, but the area along the Somali border is known to be a gaping hole.



“The Kenyans don’t have the skills to close the border, even if they wanted to,” said one Western diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing diplomatic protocol. “People are very concerned. But on some level, we can’t defend Kenya’s border for them.”



"When asked to assess the level of security at the Somali border, the diplomat flatly stated, “There is no security.”



"The raging war in the country next door, between Somalia’s weak transitional government and the Shabab, is rapidly becoming a proxy war — with Western arms and money keeping the transitional government alive, while Arab and Pakistani jihadists with links to Al Qaeda fight for the Shabab.



"Late last month, American officials acknowledged that they had shipped 40 tons of weapons to Somalia’s transitional government, a disclosure that has only sharpened the Shabab’s anti-American sentiments.



"Kenyan security forces are now flooding into their borderlands, marching along the shimmering roads and across the unforgiving landscape, their assault rifles slung over their shoulders.



"But the 400-mile border is inevitably porous, and Somali-speaking nomads from both countries flow seamlessly back and forth in diaphanous shawls and worn-out wooden carts. And the biggest proverbial holes may be in the police officers’ pockets.



"Just this month, Transparency International listed Kenya as the most corrupt nation in East Africa. The region’s most corrupt public institution? The Kenyan police.



"Even though the border is officially closed, Hassan Mohamed, a refugee who used to build houses in Somalia but got driven out by war, explained how thousands of Somali refugees find their way into Kenya each month.



“It’s easy,” he said, rubbing his thumb and index finger together in the universal sign of a bribe. “If you pay, you can come in.”

"It's Our Turn to Eat: The Story of a Kenyan Whistle-Blower"

Many years ago, as a reporter based in Nairobi, I recall asking a Kenyan man ahead of elections whether he favored then President Daniel Arap Moi or one of the country’s opposition leaders. The man, without hesitation, launched into a vicious verbal attack on Moi, calling him a scoundrel and a thief, a dictator and a thug, and other names.

So, I said, I guess when it comes to an election, you’ll vote for the opposition candidate.
Oh no, said the man, I will vote for Moi.

When I said I was confused, the man explained: Moi has been in power so long, he and his cronies have stolen all they really want, have become fabulously wealthy and now only need (and I coined this phrase) “maintenance level corruption”. If we elect the opposition, he said, it will be very bad for us because they will be starting their corruption fresh. They will take everything, leaving us nothing. So that’s why I will vote for Moi.

This story came to mind as I read Michela Wrong’s magnificent new book, “It’s Our Turn to Eat: The Story of a Kenyan Whistle-Blower”.

It is about John Githongo, an affable former journalist who I knew in the 1990’s who becomes anti-corruption czar under Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, the man who succeeded Moi in 2002, and how he soon comes to grief as he uncovers massive official malfeasance by senior level officials in Kibaki’s then newly-elected government.

The book is more than about corruption. It gets to one of the root of causes of corruption: ethnic affiliations (or “tribalism” –something many Westerners refuse to discuss for fear of appearing racist). Under Moi, the Kalenjin tribes “ate” at the public trough. Under Kibaki, the Kikuyu took their turn to “eat.”

Githongo, a Kikuyu, hoped it would be different. In the end, he refused to be bound by appeals to his ethnic loyalty and soon found himself with no alternative but to leave Kenya and go public with his secret evidence.

Woven throughout the book is another of Africa’s critical problems – the “blind eye” turned by western donor institutions to official corruption in countries like Kenya.

This is Michela Wrong’s third book. Her first was the outstanding “In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz: Living on the Brink of Disaster in Mobutu’s Congo.” Her second was the much-overlooked but equally stunning story of Eritrea called “I Didn’t Do It for You: How the World Betrayed a Small African Nation.”

I have known Michela since we shared adjacent office space in Nairobi’s Chester House in the 1990’s. We recently had dinner in Washington when she came to the U.S. for a brief book tour. The inscription she left on my copy of “It’s Our Turn to Eat” was meant as a play on something we joked about during the meal. But it is in fact true: she is “The Empress of modern African writing.”

If you have any serious interest in Africa, read this book!

Obama In Ghana

U.S. President Barack Obama says Africans must take more responsibility for wiping out poverty, war and disease on the continent. In a speech to the Ghanaian parliament, the president said we need - what he described as - a new moment of great progress.

VOA White House correspondent Paula Wolfson reports the first African-American president of the United States received an enthusiastic welcome in the Ghanaian capital, where he was embraced as family.

He responded with some tough talk - the kind of talk only a family member can provide.

The president - the son of a Kenyan father - spoke of his personal connection to Africa's tragic past. But he said the time has come for Africans to take control of their own destiny.

"Yes, a colonial map that made little sense helped to breed conflict, and the West has often approached Africa as a patron and a source of resources, rather than a partner. But the West is not responsible for the destruction of the Zimbabwean economy over the last decade, or wars in which children are enlisted as combatants," he said.

He called on a new generation of Africans to build democracy, create opportunity, fight corruption, and end the long cycle of strongman rule and conflict on the continent.

"It is the death sentence of a society to force children to kill in wars. It is the ultimate mark of criminality and cowardice to condemn women to relentless and systematic rape. We must bear witness to the value of every child in Darfur and the dignity of every woman in Congo," he said.

The remarks came in a speech at a packed convention center attended by members of the Ghanaian parliament. The president said Ghana has become an example for the rest of the continent - a country where development is spurred by good governance.

"That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long. That is the change that can unlock Africa's potential. And that is a responsibility that can only be met by Africans," he said.

President Obama offered encouragement - especially to the young.

"You can conquer disease, end conflicts, and make change from the bottom up. You can do that. Yes you can," he said.

Earlier, Mr. Obama met privately with Ghanaian President John Atta Mills. He also visited a hospital, a symbolic stop designed to highlight American support for development efforts in Africa.

But the emotional highpoint of his visit to Ghana came at the end - a tour of a coastal fortress, where for 300 years, countless Africans boarded ships bound for death at sea or a life in slavery.

His wife and young daughters accompanied him to the site. First Lady Michelle Obama is the great-great-granddaughter of African slaves

"I think as Americans and African-Americans, obviously, there is a special sense that on the one hand this place was a place of profound sadness. On the other hand, it is here where that the journey and much of the African American experience begin," he said.

The president arrived in Ghana late Friday, and the welcome was fairly subdued. But as he prepared to board Air Force One for his long flight home, throngs gathered at the Accra airport.

Ghana's president spoke at the send-off. "He wants us to take our destiny into our own hands. And there is hope, because hope is a very powerful weapon," he said.

There was drumming and dancing and an exuberant farewell for a man many here see not just as president of the United States, but a son of Africa.

Obama: Why Ghana and Not Kenya First?

U.S. President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit the West African nation of Ghana this week on his first trip to sub-Saharan Africa as president. This has disappointed many Kenyans who had expected Mr. Obama's first presidential trip to include the East African nation where he has family ties. VOA's Cathy Majtenyi reports from Nairobi that questions are being raised about why he is not coming to Kenya.

Mwalimu Mati is CEO of the political watchdog Mars Group. He says, "I think in view of recent comments emanating from the State Department or even from the American Embassy in Nairobi, governance is a concern. That is the way that Kenyans are likely to interpret it: that there is something that our government is not doing and that is why they do not qualify for what would be probably one of the most obvious first trips that Barack Obama would make," says the political analyst.

The Kenyan government is under fire for the way it handled violence following the country's disputed elections in 2007. The mayhem pitted different political and ethnic groups against each another. Some 1,000 people died, and thousands fled their homes.

To restore stability, the top two candidates formed a coalition government that divided power and responsibilities between President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, but political in-fighting and a series of scandals and protests have rocked the fragile coalition government.

"It is basically not respecting civil and political liberties," explains Mati, "It is embroiled in high-level corruption; this Grand Coalition government has not been performing well. I see it as being quite reasonable that he [Obama] would not want to be in the embarrassing position of having to castigate hosts, and castigation is deserved in this country," he says.

These include charges of police brutality, impunity by major political figures against charges of corruption and organized violence, and government misspending. But those in government circles say recent political events in Kenya have nothing to do with President Obama's decision to visit Ghana.

Kenyan government spokesman Alfred Mutua says, "The American president has a choice of the countries to go to. He has not said that he is not going to come to Kenya. There is no understanding or written code that he has to come to Kenya on his first maiden trip."

Mutua says his government is making major progress in its reform efforts."We are already undertaking various programs in aspects of the tribunal - there are high level discussions going on, people know that. There is a lot of work that is being done about the reforms, the task force on the police; a lot of constitutional bodies are going on."

Others say that President Obama has strategic reasons for choosing Ghana over Kenya.

Attorney Kamotho Waiganjo is a political commentator and university lecturer.He says Ghana has a reputation of being a stable, successful democracy that respects institutions.

"Of course, there is also the traditional connection of America to Ghana, because, remember, Ghana was the "Slave Coast," as it were. That is the place through which a lot of Americans were shipped out from West Africa. So there is also that connection that is much bigger than President Obama's connection to Kenya," says Waiganjo.

Kenyans just have to wait for Mr. Obama to make his first visit as president to his father's homeland.

Obama to Ghana

U.S. President Barack Obama makes his first trip to Sub-Saharan Africa as president this week. He is going to Ghana after stops in Russia and Italy. VOA correspondent Scott Stearns reports from Accra that Ghana is getting ready for the visit with a fresh coat of white paint on the curbs along his route and a series of billboards - some welcoming the president and first lady, others showing the president with Ghanian leader John Atta-Mills under the words: Partnership for Change.

At Accra's main fire station, rescue workers say the decision by America's first black president to make this country his first stop in Sub-Saharan Africa reflects Ghana's political maturity.

"We are the first country to show maturity in elections because all other countries, after or before elections, there are fights and all this misunderstanding," said one rescue worker. "But we comport ourselves and go accordingly on the electoral procedure."

A colleague says Mr. Obama's visit will help focus attention on Ghana's stability.

"It is good that President Obama is coming to Ghana so that some African countries can say, 'Yes," he said. "A black American is the president.' And moreover, what we need from him is, he will bring more investors. More investors so our youths will get jobs to do, and our country will become a first-class country like theirs."

President Obama has already been good for business at the Accra Mall. The Kiki clothing store offers a variety of colorful Obama t-shirts. Owner Kiki Ademola started selling Obama products before he was even elected president. His visit has boosted demand.

"He really appeals to so many people," said Kiki Ademola. "And we can see that in the different customers that come to buy our Obama t-shirts. We have a wide range of customers from literally all over the world."

Shoppers at Accra Mall hope President Obama's visit will help cement Ghana's position in West Africa as a steady, free-market democracy.

"We have been an example for other African countries," said the shopper. "And he believes that when he comes here, other people will look up to Ghana and also take up democracy."

President Obama says he is coming to Ghana to highlight the results achieved by stable countries that are governed well, where leadership is accountable to the people and institutions are stronger than any one person.

There has been some media speculation that President Obama will press Ghanaian officials to give the U.S. Africa Command a base. But a spokesman for AFRICOM, Vince Crawley, has denied these rumors.

"We absolutely are not seeking bases in Africa right now," Crawley stated. "We have one base in Djibouti which the United States has had for a number of years. And I have seen the same press reports coming out of Ghana. And the purpose of the Obama trip is to engage with sub-Saharan Africa with a very reliable partner nation, but ... Africa Command has no interest in seeking bases in that region at this time."

Iran: Citizen Journalists

There was a cartoon in the Boston Globe newspaper last week about developments in Iran since the country’s disputed presidential election. It shows two religious leaders standing on a balcony, overlooking a large crowd of protestors. One of the men is shouting “expel the correspondents,” a reference to the crackdown by Iranian authorities aimed at preventing foreign journalists from reporting on events.

But the other religious leader notes that in addition to protest signs, the crowd of demonstrators includes many holding up cellphones, cameras and other electronic devices – some labeled “Facebook”, “Twitter” and “email.” In response to the man shouting “expel the correspondents,” the other says, “but they’re all correspondents!”

Since the disputed June 12 election and the ensuing demonstrations and clashes between protestors and security forces, Voice of America’s Persian News Network, like other news organizations, has received hundreds of pieces of video sent in by ordinary Iranians. These videos are carefully evaluated by Farsi speaking staff before being used in airshows and posted on the web.

Some of these citizen contributions clearly reflect the courage of the contributors, like the one showing militia opening fire on protestors, clearly wounding some of them. Another shows a young woman, just moments after she has been fatally shot. Still another shows baton-wielding police lashing out at group of people that includes elderly women. The video-shooter, a man, can be heard shouting emotionally at the police to “stop beating old ladies” – even as he continues to film the scene.

The world owes these citizen journalists in Iran a deep debt of gratitude. With the government arrests, deportations and attacks on professional journalists, they continue to defy Iran’s effort to eliminate all potential witnesses to what is unfolding in the country.

Text: Obama’s Speech in Cairo

The following is a text of President Obama's prepared remarks to the Muslim world, delivered on June 4, 2009, as released by the White House.

I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt's advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum.

We meet at a time of tension between the United States and Muslims around the world – tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate. The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of co-existence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars. More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.

Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. This has bred more fear and mistrust.

So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, and who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end.

I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles – principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.

I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight. No single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have all the complex questions that brought us to this point. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly the things we hold in our hearts, and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. As the Holy Koran tells us, "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth." That is what I will try to do – to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.

Part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I am a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.

As a student of history, I also know civilization's debt to Islam. It was Islam – at places like Al-Azhar University – that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe's Renaissance and Enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality.

I know, too, that Islam has always been a part of America's story. The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President John Adams wrote, "The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims." And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States. They have fought in our wars, served in government, stood for civil rights, started businesses, taught at our Universities, excelled in our sports arenas, won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first Muslim-American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers – Thomas Jefferson – kept in his personal library.

So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn't. And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.

But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We were born out of revolution against an empire. We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words – within our borders, and around the world. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E pluribus unum: "Out of many, one."

Much has been made of the fact that an African-American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. But my personal story is not so unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores – that includes nearly seven million American Muslims in our country today who enjoy incomes and education that are higher than average.

Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one's religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state of our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That is why the U.S. government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab, and to punish those who would deny it.

So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations – to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things we share. This is the hope of all humanity.

Of course, recognizing our common humanity is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead; and if we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all.

For we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere. When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk. When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations. When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean. And when innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience. That is what it means to share this world in the 21st century. That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings.

This is a difficult responsibility to embrace. For human history has often been a record of nations and tribes subjugating one another to serve their own interests. Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners of it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; progress must be shared.

That does not mean we should ignore sources of tension. Indeed, it suggests the opposite: we must face these tensions squarely. And so in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and plainly as I can about some specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together.

The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.

In Ankara, I made clear that America is not – and never will be – at war with Islam. We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security. Because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people.

The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America's goals, and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice, we went because of necessity. I am aware that some question or justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet Al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.

Make no mistake: we do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We seek no military bases there. It is agonizing for America to lose our young men and women. It is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict. We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case.

That's why we're partnering with a coalition of forty-six countries. And despite the costs involved, America's commitment will not weaken. Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists. They have killed in many countries. They have killed people of different faiths – more than any other, they have killed Muslims. Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam. The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind. The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism – it is an important part of promoting peace.

We also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is why we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who have been displaced. And that is why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend upon.

Let me also address the issue of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world. Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible. Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: "I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be."

Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future – and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq's sovereignty is its own. That is why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq's democratically-elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all our troops from Iraq by 2012. We will help Iraq train its Security Forces and develop its economy. But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never as a patron.

And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter our principles. 9/11 was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our ideals. We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year.

So America will defend itself respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer.

The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world.

America's strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied.

Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust. Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich. Six million Jews were killed – more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, ignorant, and hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction – or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews – is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve.

On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people – Muslims and Christians – have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than sixty years they have endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations – large and small – that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own.

For decades, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive. It is easy to point fingers – for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought by Israel's founding, and for Israelis to point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders as well as beyond. But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: the only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security.

That is in Israel's interest, Palestine's interest, America's interest, and the world's interest. That is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience that the task requires. The obligations that the parties have agreed to under the Road Map are clear. For peace to come, it is time for them – and all of us – to live up to our responsibilities.

Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and does not succeed. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America's founding. This same story can be told by people from South Africa to South Asia; from Eastern Europe to Indonesia. It's a story with a simple truth: that violence is a dead end. It is a sign of neither courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That is not how moral authority is claimed; that is how it is surrendered.

Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build. The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people. Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have responsibilities. To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, and to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, and recognize Israel's right to exist.

At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine's. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop.

Israel must also live up to its obligations to ensure that Palestinians can live, and work, and develop their society. And just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel's security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.

Finally, the Arab States must recognize that the Arab Peace Initiative was an important beginning, but not the end of their responsibilities. The Arab-Israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of Arab nations from other problems. Instead, it must be a cause for action to help the Palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state; to recognize Israel's legitimacy; and to choose progress over a self-defeating focus on the past.

America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs. We cannot impose peace. But privately, many Muslims recognize that Israel will not go away. Likewise, many Israelis recognize the need for a Palestinian state. It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.

Too many tears have flowed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer.

The third source of tension is our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons.

This issue has been a source of tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is indeed a tumultuous history between us. In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically-elected Iranian government. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians. This history is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I have made it clear to Iran's leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward. The question, now, is not what Iran is against, but rather what future it wants to build.

It will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude and resolve. There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect. But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point. This is not simply about America's interests. It is about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.

I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons. That is why I strongly reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. And any nation – including Iran – should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the Treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I am hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.

The fourth issue that I will address is democracy.

I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear: no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other.

That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election. But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere.

There is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear: governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments – provided they govern with respect for all their people.

This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.

The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.

Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. I saw it firsthand as a child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country. That is the spirit we need today. People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul. This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it is being challenged in many different ways.

Among some Muslims, there is a disturbing tendency to measure one's own faith by the rejection of another's. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld – whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt. And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.

Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation. That is why I am committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat.

Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit – for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear. We cannot disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism.

Indeed, faith should bring us together. That is why we are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews. That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah's Interfaith dialogue and Turkey's leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations. Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action – whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.

The sixth issue that I want to address is women's rights.

I know there is debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.

Now let me be clear: issues of women's equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women's equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.

Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity – men and women – to reach their full potential. I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice. That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.

Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity.

I know that for many, the face of globalization is contradictory. The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence. Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and changing communities. In all nations – including my own – this change can bring fear. Fear that because of modernity we will lose of control over our economic choices, our politics, and most importantly our identities – those things we most cherish about our communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith.

But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There need not be contradiction between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies while maintaining distinct cultures. The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai. In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education.

This is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work. Many Gulf States have enjoyed great wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader development. But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century, and in too many Muslim communities there remains underinvestment in these areas. I am emphasizing such investments within my country. And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas in this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement.

On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America, while encouraging more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in on-line learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a new online network, so a teenager in Kansas can communicate instantly with a teenager in Cairo.

On economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries. And I will host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world.

On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create jobs. We will open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new Science Envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, and grow new crops. And today I am announcing a new global effort with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. And we will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.

All these things must be done in partnership. Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments; community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.

The issues that I have described will not be easy to address. But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world we seek – a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God's children are respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek. But we can only achieve it together.

I know there are many – Muslim and non-Muslim – who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it isn't worth the effort – that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur. There is so much fear, so much mistrust. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country – you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.

All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort – a sustained effort – to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.

It is easier to start wars than to end them. It is easier to blame others than to look inward; to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion – that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples – a belief that isn't new; that isn't black or white or brown; that isn't Christian, or Muslim or Jew. It's a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions. It's a faith in other people, and it's what brought me here today.

We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.

The Holy Koran tells us, "O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another."

The Talmud tells us: "The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace."

The Holy Bible tells us, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Now, that must be our work here on Earth. Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you.

Kenya and Uganda Acting as U.S. Surrogates In Engaging Iran?

We have spent some time in this blog reporting on the phenomenon of Iran’s expanding relations with African countries. Recently we noted visits by Iran’s President Ahmadinejad to Kenya, and then by Kenya’s Prime Minister Odinga to Iran. Ugandan President Museveni has also been a recent visitor to Tehran.

The East African’s Charles Onyango-Obbo has just written about these visits as well in an article headlined: "Are Nairobi, Kampala Playing Obama's Game in Tehran?"

It raises a tantalizing and not altogether improbable question: rather than reflecting some sort of East African split with Washington, could Kenya and Uganda be engaged as middlemen in helping President Obama with his outreach to Iran?

Onyango-Obbo’s article draws a parallel between the current visits and what he terms “the manoeuvres executed by several ‘Western allies’ in Africa with another old American foe -- Libya's strongman Muammar Gaddafi.”

“At a time when Gaddafi's relationship with the West was at its lowest ebb, Museveni, even though he was seen as a darling of the Americans, kept up close ties with the Libyan leader, either hosting or visiting him at what seemed the most ill-timed moments.

“Many commentators said Museveni was committing political suicide and he risked the wrath of the West…

“Unknown to most, Museveni & Co were working Gaddafi on behalf of their Western friends.”

Onyango-Obbo continues:

“I am not betting the farm on it, but it wouldn't be surprising if it emerged that Kenya and Uganda are doing the same backdoor diplomacy with Iran on behalf of Obama.”

I would love it if some enterprising reporters would start asking questions here in Washington as well as in Kampala and Nairobi.

A Memorial Day Marine's Story

On this Memorial Day, I'm pleased to plug a new book called "LOON: A Marine Story".

Among the many people I have been fortunate enough to cross paths with in my life is the book's author, Jack McLean. He and I and a couple hundred other boys were in boarding school together back in the 1960's.

LOON is Jack's story: a prep school boy who, when others were doing their best to avoid the draft, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and ended up fighting in Vietnam. He then went on to attend Harvard.

As the publisher's press info tells it:

"In Loon, McLean takes readers from Andover’s privileged campus, to the infamous Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island, to the battle at Landing Zone Loon in the rugged hills along Vietnam’s Laotian border. During that period, Jack transformed from a sheltered boy, into a Marine, and ultimately into one of a handful of survivors of a horrific three-day assault during some of the heaviest fighting of the Vietnam War. Richly textured and full of action-packed battle scenes, Loon is a piercingly honest and beautifully written story of an infantry Marine and his comrades as they face the challenges of boot camp, stateside service and, ultimately, war. It neither glorifies nor mystifies. It simply tells the story, and in so doing, teaches us a great deal about courage, honor, sacrifice, and is a powerful portrait of a period of American history."

Last Friday, another of our Andover classmates organized a reception for Jack in Washington, D.C. Even though it has been more than 40 years since we were together in school, more than half a dozen of our class were on hand to congratulate Jack on his achievement and his service.

I can heartily recommend Loon. Get a copy.

Uganda and Iran as Uranium Partners?

According to Kampala's Daily Monitor, there were what the paper termed "strong" indications that during his just-concluded visit to Iran, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni discussed prospects for exploiting Uganda's uranium resources with Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

A joint Iranian-Ugandan statement said the leaders "reaffirmed the right of developing countries to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes."

Uranium was first discovered in Uganda in 2004. The Monitor reports Museveni has often said these resources would only be used for the generation of energy. The paper goes on to report that in 2007, Museveni ordered the Ministry of Energy to halt any deals for exploration of uranium, a position he has maintained to date.

The Monitor goes on: "But because of Iran's pursuit of uranium, the President's visit thus becomes significant. However, if Iranian companies are given a green light to develop exploitation of the mineral resource, such a development would be greeted by serious concern from Uganda's western allies like the United States of America."

Mr Museveni flew to Iran last Friday. Gen. Aronda Nyakirima, the Chief of Ugandan Defence Forces, also travelled to Iran and the Monitor says his presence indicates there was discussion on military cooperation between the two countries.

Iran Again Stresses Eagerness to Expand Ties with Africa

Iran's Fars news agency is quoting Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki as saying Tehran is ready to expand ties with African countries, saying that it is a priority for the Iranian government.

"We hope the upcoming African heads-of-state meeting in Tehran will help broaden relations between Iran and Africa," Mottaki said on Sunday in a meeting with former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda.

As regards relations between Iran and Zambia, he referred to the potential in various commercial and industrial sectors of the two countries, and said Iranian contractors could play a key role in implementing various scientific and medical research projects in that country.

The Iranian top diplomat pointed to the upcoming African heads-of-state meeting in Tehran and said Iran hopes it will help in bolstering ties with African states.

Kaunda, for his part, expressed hope that cooperation between the two countries would increase in various fields, and said Africa is willing to use Iran's experience in establishment of research institutes to control chronic diseases, considering the remarkable scientific developments in various fields in Iran.

Note: No word yet on the date for the upcoming African heads-of-state meeting in Tehran.