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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 22, 2008

Setting the Record Straight: President Bush Committed to Strengthening Democracy Throughout Africa

The Washington Post Wrongly Claims Progress Towards Democracy In Africa Has Degenerated Despite 50 Democratic Elections Being Held Over The Past Four Years

Today, The Washington Post incorrectly asserted that President Bush has neglected his commitment to democracy in Africa.  The Post's blatantly one-sided article ignores the significant democratic progress that has been taking place across the African continent.  During his recent trip to Africa, the President highlighted examples of the democratic reforms taking place in Benin, Tanzania, and Liberia. 

The United States Is Dedicated To Promoting Both Democracy And Human Rights While Also Assisting Refugees In Africa

The Washington Post inaccurately asserts that President Bush's "focus on counterterrorism has overtaken his other stated foreign policy goals of promoting democracy and human rights." (Stephanie McCrummen, "U.S. Policy In Africa Faulted On Priorities," The Washington Post, 2/22/08)

The Washington Post cites an unfounded argument by Center for Strategic and International Studies Senior Associate Joel Barkan, claiming "money for once-robust programs aimed at strengthening democratic institutions such as courts and parliaments has dried up."  (Stephanie McCrummen, "U.S. Policy In Africa Faulted On Priorities," The Washington Post, 2/22/08)

The Washington Post also makes an unsupported assertion that "many Africans who hoped that the United States would support their struggle for more just and open societies have been disappointed," and "significantly in Kenya and Somalia, moderate Muslims [have] felt unjustly targeted in the U.S.-driven hunt for terrorism suspects."  (Stephanie McCrummen, "U.S. Policy In Africa Faulted On Priorities," The Washington Post, 2/22/08)

The Washington Post makes an unwarranted claim that "in Sudan, analysts have suggested that U.S. reliance on Sudanese counterterrorism intelligence has prevented a tougher stance on the crisis in the country's western Darfur region, where a government crackdown on rebels has left as many as 450,000 people dead and 2.5 million displaced."  (Stephanie McCrummen, "U.S. Policy In Africa Faulted On Priorities," The Washington Post, 2/22/08)

 

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