Obama Africa Trip Ends With Bush Rendezvous At Tanzania Memorial
By NEDRA PICKLER 07/02/13 08:33 AM ET EDT
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania -- Democratic President Barack Obama and
Republican predecessor President George W. Bush found common ground in
Africa on Tuesday, honoring the victims of a terrorist attack in an
unprecedented encounter a world away from home.
The U.S. presidents observed a moment of silence together at a
monument to victims of the 1998 embassy bombing here in the east
African city where Bush coincidentally happened to be as Obama wrapped
up a weeklong tour of the continent. While the two leaders didn't say
anything publicly, their wives engaged in a warm and chatty joint
appearance at a summit on African women.
Initially the two presidents weren't even planning to meet while in
town, but first lady Michelle Obama joked as she sat next to her
predecessor: "They're learning from us."
The Obamas departed Africa for home shortly after crossing paths with
the Bushes, who were hosting the summit promoting the role of African
first ladies in bringing change to their countries. Bush ended up
joining the current president for the wreath-laying ceremony honoring
the Tanzanian victims of the simultaneous attacks at the U.S.
embassies here and in Kenya masterminded by Osama bin Laden.
Both presidents have bin Laden in common. Bush's two terms were tinged
by the 9/11 terrorist attacks carried out in New York and Washington
by bin Laden's al-Qaida network; Obama ordered the U.S. military raid
that ended with bin Laden' death two years ago in Pakistan.
Obama and Bush bowed their heads as a Marine placed the wreath of red,
white and blue flowers in front of the large stone memorial on the
grounds of the new U.S. Embassy. After a few moments, they shook hands
with survivors of the attack and relatives of those killed before
returning to the embassy together in private discussion.
At that very moment, their wives were putting on a public display of
mutual affection in a discussion moderated by American journalist
Cokie Roberts. Mrs. Obama said she wanted to appear with Laura Bush
because "I like this woman" and it's therapeutic to share the
challenges of their roles.
"It's sort of a club, a sorority, I guess," Mrs. Bush responded.
Their goal was to encourage African first ladies to raise their voices
for causes they are passionate about, even if the public is sometimes
focused on more trivial matters, the said.
"While people are sort of sorting through our shoes and our hair,
whether we cut it or not ..." Mrs. Obama started.
"Whether we have bangs," Mrs. Bush interjected to laughter. Mrs. Obama
expressed surprise that her change in hair style this year would
prompt so much media coverage. "Who would have thought? I didn't call
that."
"But," Mrs. Obama said, "we take our bangs and we stand in front of
important things that the world needs to see. And eventually people
stop looking at the bangs and they start looking at what we're
standing in front of."
"We hope," Mrs. Bush joked. Mrs. Obama replied, "They do, and that's
the power of our roles."
When it comes to the power of their husbands' roles, Obama has said he
wants to usher in a new era of U.S.-Africa relations. Obama has
praised Bush for helping save millions of lives by funding AIDS
treatment. But, he said Monday, "We are looking at a new model that's
based not just on aid and assistance, but on trade and partnership."
"Ultimately, the goal here is for Africa to build Africa for
Africans," Obama said. "And our job is to be a partner in that
process."
In that spirit, Obama announced a program to bring more power to
Africans without access to electricity. During a visit to a local
power plant built with a U.S. grant, Obama demonstrated a soccer ball
designed to bring power to communities off the power grid.
One invention that could help on the electricity front is the SOCCKET
ball, developed by two Harvard graduates. The ball has a pendulum-like
mechanism inside that creates kinetic energy during play and stores
it. Its maker says 30 minutes of play can power a simple LED lamp for
three hours.
Obama kicked the ball off his foot and did a low header. "We're going
to start getting these all around Africa," Obama said. "Pretty
impressive stuff."
In remarks afterward, he touted his "Power Africa" electricity program
as a win-win for Africans and U.S. companies. He also reflected on the
trip, recalling some of the folks he met along the way, including a
female farmer in Senegal and young people in the Soweto area of South
Africa's capital city, Johannesburg.
"I'm inspired because I'm absolutely convinced that with the right
approach, Africa and its people can unleash a new era of prosperity,"
Obama said.
___
AP White House Correspondent Julie Pace contributed to this report.
Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni and Dr. Kiiza Besigye Uganda is in anarchy"
Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni na Dk. Kiiza Besigye Uganda ni katika machafuko"
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