From: barnhart@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Mr. Aaron Barnhart)
Subject: IPS:AFRICA: Bush signs post-Cold War policy statement
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 23:13:14 GMT
Organization: Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A.

Copyright Inter Press Service 1993, all rights reserved.  Permission to re-
print within 7 days of original date only with permission from 'newsdesk'.

Title: AFRICA: Bush signs post-Cold War policy statement


washington, jan 4 (ips/jim lobe) -- a major u.s. policy statement
calling for ''active diplomacy'' by washington in pursuit of a
variety of post-cold war objectives in africa was signed by
president george bush last week, officials told ips monday.

five months in the making, the document, known as the national
security decision directive (nsdd) 75, concludes that the united
states has no ''vital interests'' in africa. it defines ''vital
interests'' as those which would justify resorting to war.

nonetheless, the confidential directive, a draft of which was
obtained by north carolina-based africa news, asserts that
washington has important interests in the continent which
''mandate continuing strong u.s. involvement''.

the directive, the product of a review by the departments of
state, defence, treasury, commerce, as well as the intelligence
community and other major u.s. agencies, is the first
comprehensive statement on africa policy in 10 years, according to
officials who said they believe it will be accepted by the
incoming administration of president-elect bill clinton.

the review, they said, was launched last july when the famine
in somalia gained major media attention, resulting in increased
pressure on washington to launch an emergency food airlift.

it concludes that an active policy in africa ''presents no
risks to u.s. national security, opens new opportunities for
reform and trade, and reduces potentially great costs for relief
efforts by eliminating the causes of crises.''

''civil wars and ethnic strife'' in africa are ''likely to
increase in the years ahead.

''while (the united states) should not become physically
involved in these conflicts...a diplomacy aimed at prevention and
resolution of conflict is the sine qua non of an effective pursuit
of all u.s. goals in the region,'' it said.

that must be coupled with ''more emphasis on assisting
indigenous peacekeeping/making mechanisms, such as the
organisation for african unity (oau),'' according to a draft.

instability in africa will also ''encourage the rise of
negative trends, including radical political islam''.

''in dealing with ruling or other political groups of any
ethnic or religious background, our relationship should be
predicated on that group's demonstrable commitment to democratic
norms and political pluralism,'' it says. (more/ips)

africa: bush signs post-cold war policy statement(2-e)

africa: bush signs (2)

at the same time, washington has a continuing interest in
ensuring ''access to selected african air and naval facilities,
air space, and sea lanes for u.s. military contingency operations
in the middle east and southwest asia.''

but current military access agreements should be ''adequate for
the foreseeable future,'' the statement goes on. ''informal access
should be expanded where possible by cultivating cooperation with
host country militaries.  there is no need to permanently station
troops or construct bases in africa.''

''however, u.s. forces should continue to train there for
exposure and experience in the region,'' it says.

all u.s. military aid ''should be structured to promote the
clear subordination of military to civil authority,'' according to
the statement which calls for reductions in the size of africa's
''bloated, poorly trained militaries (which) are a threat to
public order and civilian rule.''

recent trends towards democratisation and economic reform in
africa offer a ''rare window of opportunity'' for change ''which
may slam shut if we cannot help africans demonstrate that economic
development and political pluralism'' are compatible.

''the democratisation process can complicate economic reform,
but tough economic reform measures need the support of the people
in order to last,'' the directive argues.  it also notes that
african countries are the most heavily indebted in the world and
that ''debt relief can be an effective and necessary development
tool for reforming countries.''

the directive also found a political interest in u.s.
involvement in the region, noting that ''africa's global political
role is disproportionate to its economic or military strength. in
a world increasingly receptive to collective security, africa
accounts for one-third of the u.n. membership and fills three of
the non-permanent security council seats.''

at home, u.s. involvement with africa will be propelled both by
''the growing cultural and political awareness of africa among
african-americans'' and by ''the humanitarian imperative to help
acute suffering from natural and man-made disasters.''

in particular, public concern over the ''devastating effect of
aids on the continent will grow and lead to demands for more
effective action.''  increasing aids-induced mortality among young
african adults ''will have adverse effects on economic, political
and military-security stability throughout africa.''

the directive says washington must also be concerned about
activities in africa of ''promoters of terrorism'' (it names libya
and iran) and drug traffickers, particularly from nigeria and
ghana.

washington must also help africans curb population growth, deal
with refugee problems, promote the role women in development, and
preserve the environment, the directive says. (end/ips/jl/yjc/92)


Xref: sparky soc.culture.african:7458 soc.culture.african.american:13658