Tanzanian Media Reaction: Ambassador Green Concludes Tour

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DAR ES SALAAM 000042 SIPDIS FOR INR/R/MR, AF/PDPA, AF/E and AF/EPS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KPAO KMDR KHIV KMCA TZ SUBJECT: Tanzanian Media Reaction: Ambassador Green Concludes Tour of Duty with Impressive Successes DAR ES SAL 00000042 001.2 OF 002 The January 21, 2009, edition of English language daily "This Day" (circulation 15,000) carried the following editorial commentary regarding Ambassador Mark Green's tenure: "The 16-month long tour of duty of the United States Ambassador to Tanzania, Mark Green, comes to an end amid having reaped impressive, remarkable and memorable achievements worth to be proud of by all Tanzanians. As his period ends, it's extremely important for us to take stock of his valuable contribution particularly in further strengthening the relations between the two countries, Tanzania and United States of America, and the economic benefits accrued thereafter during the entire period of his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania. But when one goes to consult Ambassador Green's background information, he/she will surely make a confirmation to the fact that his nomination by U.S. President George W. Bush to be the U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania in June 2007, was, no doubt, a carefully pondered idea which took into account several factors including, for sure, his keen interest with Africa that dates back to 1987-88. During that material time, Mark Green and his wife served as secondary school teachers in Kenya at which time he had ample time to further familiarize himself with the entire East Africa region including western Tanzania. Apart from that important background information, Green's nomination seems to have also taken into consideration some other equally important facts including his membership to the House of Judiciary and International Relations Committee, his leadership in designing tough laws aimed at protecting children and families and his leadership role in crafting the Millennium Challenge Act which is America's historic commitment to invest in developing nations engaged in political and economic reforms. Official reports reveal that Green played an important role in crafting the Global Access to HIV/AIDS Prevention, Awareness and Treatment Act of 2001 and the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act. Most African countries are prone to such diseases and great efforts are being done by the international community to assist those nations in fighting the diseases. Going deep into Ambassador Green's tour of duty, one finds that he has been very important in cementing development cooperation between Tanzania and United States of America (USA) which is mainly focused on sectors of Health, Environment and Natural Resources, Governance, Private Sector Development and Infrastructure. Ambassador Green was very instrumental in effecting the historic four-day visit to the country of U.S. President, George W. Bush in February 2008, during which the historic signing of the Millennium Challenge Account Agreement worth $698m took place at the State House in Dar es Salaam. The funds are aimed at reducing poverty, stimulating economic growth and increasing household incomes through targeted infrastructure investments in transport, energy and water for the period of five years. It's during the visit that President Bush reiterated the United States' commitment to support Tanzania's efforts in the prevention and spread of AIDS and mitigation of its adverse effects through comprehensive and integrated programs that focus on prevention and provision of care and treatment to HIV/AIDS victims. Reports have it that since 2003, the U.S. has provided $818.4m to combat HIV in the country. Green's period also saw Tanzania being included in President Bush's Malaria Initiative (PMI) which deals with distribution of long lasting treated bed nets, provision of vitamin A and Zinc supplements for child survival, extended prenatal care for improving maternal health and nutrition, provision of modern contraceptive methods and training of health workers, social mobilization and marketing in order to improve reproductive health care. Tanzania has benefited from President Bush's Africa Education Initiative (AEI),which is focused on increasing access to quality basic education in more than 30 Sub-Saharan countries through scholarships, teacher training programs and textbooks. The U.S. has DAR ES SAL 00000042 002.2 OF 002 agreed to support basic education in Tanzania. During Mark Green's tour of duty in the country, Tanzania played host to historic 8th Leon Sullivan Summit which was conducted June ¶2008. The Summit brought about 3,000 delegates including world's political and business leaders representing national, international, civil and multinational organizations and members of the academic institutions. Those focused their attention on economic and social development of Africa during deliberations. The Summit no doubt contributed tremendously to the tourism development in the country. Green's tenure of office in the country further strengthened the U.S.-Tanzania ties taking into account a number of visits to U.S. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete at the invitation of President George W. Bush. During the visits, the president sustained official talks with President Bush on cooperation between the two countries during which a number of important announcements were made regarding support to various programs for social and economic development of our country. Indeed, Ambassador Mark Green has done a commendable job which deserves appreciation. He leaves behind a big challenge to his successor, who will need to strive to further strengthen trade between Tanzania and the United States which, reports say, had declined by $57.2m in 2008. Already Tanzania has managed to export goods worth $34.8m through AGOA in 2008 higher than 2007's which stood at $27.5m. Summarily we can say the tour of duty of Ambassador Green has been quite beneficial and very fruitful to the country. Bravo Ambassador Green. ANDRE