Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DARESSALAAM338
2009-05-26 03:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION: "KIKWETE-OBAMA TALKS A CHANCE TO BOOST
how-toVZCZCXRO2312 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHDR #0338 1460328 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 260328Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8531 INFO RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA 0166 RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 1279 RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 3418 RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI 1344 RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA 2888 RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHDS/USMISSION USAU ADDIS ABABA
UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000338
SIPDIS
FOR INR/OPN/MR, AF/PDPA AND AF/E JLIDDLE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KMDR OPRC KPAO TZ
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: "KIKWETE-OBAMA TALKS A CHANCE TO BOOST
TIES"
The May 22nd edition of the English, National Media Group-owned,
daily newspaper "The Citizen" (circulation 6,000) carried the
following editorial:
"By becoming the first African leader to pay new American President
Barack Obama a visit at the White House, Tanzania Head of State
Jakaya Kikwete has just written yet another milestone in his
diplomatic achievements. The meeting with Obama, the first
African-American leader of the most powerful nation today, has been
described, and rightly so, as not only an important encounter, but
also a "first" for Tanzania.
For Mr. Obama, holding talks with Mr. Kikwete is an opportunity to
share insights with an adept hand at Africa's place in international
relations. It is not surprising, therefore, that the talks will be
closely monitored on the continent. The Tanzanian leader is not on
a state visit, and being granted an audience speaks volumes about
the premium attached to the relations between the two countries.
President Kikwete will definitely use this chance to get to know a
little better a man whose father was from Kenya, which is not only
our close neighbor, but a country with which we share deep
historical, trade and other ties. The Tanzanian leader might for
instance, also wish to brief President Obama on the steady progress
towards East African regional integration.
The two leaders' parley is another big score in Tanzania's growing
stature as a major player in regional and continental political and
economic diplomacy. It comes against the backdrop of preparations
for President Obama's first trip to Africa as the U.S. leader next
July, during which he will go to Ghana. Granting President Kikwete
some time from his busy schedule is significant. Tanzania has
become an influential player in seeking solutions to Africa's
political and economic problems.
This brief call will go some way in further bolstering the country's
image as a beacon of peace in a region often characterized by
political turmoil and bad governance. It's a continuation of Mr.
Kikwete's solid link with the American leadership, which was
cemented with a rare visit to Tanzania last year by former President
George Bush, during which he spent several days.
The meeting with Mr. Obama also somewhat confirms President
Kikwete's own status, having been touted as among the rising
generation of African leaders committed to not only entrenching good
governance in their own countries, but also promoting regional peace
and stability. This is something he ably demonstrated, as chairman
of the African Union (AU) last year.
As a country, therefore, we should be happy that we continue to
receive accolades in the world, from governments and multilateral
organizations. The challenge is to turn this into opportunities for
economic gain for the country and our people and to enhance
relations with our neighbors.
Announcing the meeting, the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam emphasized
Tanzania's strategic position, stating that their President has
pledged to work with like-minded counterparts to change the global
politics and economy for the better. And it confirmed that on the
agenda were a wide range of regional and bilateral issues, including
a U.S. pledge to promote good governance, economic development, and
stability on the continent.
President Kikwete has also been in the forefront in seeking answers
to the continent's economic stagnation and widespread poverty. Over
a month ago, in the search for an African rescue plan, he hosted the
Africa-World Bank meeting in Dar es Salaam that crafted the
continent's position ahead of the G20 meeting in London.
We hope that from this first contact, President Kikwete will come
away with not only a mightily useful contact, but also a renewed
vigor and commitment to push Tanzania higher up on the governance
scales and also help enhance regional co-operation and development.
ANDRE
SIPDIS
FOR INR/OPN/MR, AF/PDPA AND AF/E JLIDDLE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KMDR OPRC KPAO TZ
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: "KIKWETE-OBAMA TALKS A CHANCE TO BOOST
TIES"
The May 22nd edition of the English, National Media Group-owned,
daily newspaper "The Citizen" (circulation 6,000) carried the
following editorial:
"By becoming the first African leader to pay new American President
Barack Obama a visit at the White House, Tanzania Head of State
Jakaya Kikwete has just written yet another milestone in his
diplomatic achievements. The meeting with Obama, the first
African-American leader of the most powerful nation today, has been
described, and rightly so, as not only an important encounter, but
also a "first" for Tanzania.
For Mr. Obama, holding talks with Mr. Kikwete is an opportunity to
share insights with an adept hand at Africa's place in international
relations. It is not surprising, therefore, that the talks will be
closely monitored on the continent. The Tanzanian leader is not on
a state visit, and being granted an audience speaks volumes about
the premium attached to the relations between the two countries.
President Kikwete will definitely use this chance to get to know a
little better a man whose father was from Kenya, which is not only
our close neighbor, but a country with which we share deep
historical, trade and other ties. The Tanzanian leader might for
instance, also wish to brief President Obama on the steady progress
towards East African regional integration.
The two leaders' parley is another big score in Tanzania's growing
stature as a major player in regional and continental political and
economic diplomacy. It comes against the backdrop of preparations
for President Obama's first trip to Africa as the U.S. leader next
July, during which he will go to Ghana. Granting President Kikwete
some time from his busy schedule is significant. Tanzania has
become an influential player in seeking solutions to Africa's
political and economic problems.
This brief call will go some way in further bolstering the country's
image as a beacon of peace in a region often characterized by
political turmoil and bad governance. It's a continuation of Mr.
Kikwete's solid link with the American leadership, which was
cemented with a rare visit to Tanzania last year by former President
George Bush, during which he spent several days.
The meeting with Mr. Obama also somewhat confirms President
Kikwete's own status, having been touted as among the rising
generation of African leaders committed to not only entrenching good
governance in their own countries, but also promoting regional peace
and stability. This is something he ably demonstrated, as chairman
of the African Union (AU) last year.
As a country, therefore, we should be happy that we continue to
receive accolades in the world, from governments and multilateral
organizations. The challenge is to turn this into opportunities for
economic gain for the country and our people and to enhance
relations with our neighbors.
Announcing the meeting, the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam emphasized
Tanzania's strategic position, stating that their President has
pledged to work with like-minded counterparts to change the global
politics and economy for the better. And it confirmed that on the
agenda were a wide range of regional and bilateral issues, including
a U.S. pledge to promote good governance, economic development, and
stability on the continent.
President Kikwete has also been in the forefront in seeking answers
to the continent's economic stagnation and widespread poverty. Over
a month ago, in the search for an African rescue plan, he hosted the
Africa-World Bank meeting in Dar es Salaam that crafted the
continent's position ahead of the G20 meeting in London.
We hope that from this first contact, President Kikwete will come
away with not only a mightily useful contact, but also a renewed
vigor and commitment to push Tanzania higher up on the governance
scales and also help enhance regional co-operation and development.
ANDRE