Bush Praises African Progress, Pledges Continued Assistance

By VOA News 26 February 2008
President Bush talks about his recent trip to Africa as he addresses the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation, in Washington, D.C., 26 Feb 2008President Bush says the United States is on a "mission of mercy" in Africa, and has called on the U.S. Congress to approve funding for development programs in the continent.
In a speech Tuesday in Washington, the president highlighted his announcement last week in Rwanda that the United States will spend $100 million to help train and equip African peacekeepers heading to Darfur.
He called on Congress to double funding for programs for education, treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS in Africa. His remarks came in a speech about his recent African tour.
Mr. Bush said he saw striking changes in Africa since his last visit there in 2003, especially in HIV/AIDS treatment and education. He praised the leaders of the countries he visited: Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia - for their dedication to reform and prosperity. He also credited his own millennium development challenge with encouraging African states to fight corruption.
The president called on U.S. presidential candidates in both parties to make African development a priority.