If Bush is reluctant to help Africa...

[brachiopod]

...on the basis that he "cannot commit to corrupt regimes" - then why is he still committing billions to Afghanistan?

[Artful]

Let's face it, African countries/states are pretty much on the poor side - what would he want or need from them. I suppose really that your question is a rhetotical one...

Then again, does he know where Africa is?

[kempie]

"what would he need or want from them"

Africa is a cornucopia of natural resources

• oil
• gold & other precious metals
• diamonds & other gems
• minerals (including radioactive isotopes)

the list goes on.

[Artful]

kempie, I agree with you but it's not as easy for him to throw his weight around there as he has been able to do elsewhere and there again there isn't that much of anything apart from bloodshed and I wouldn't think even Blair is willing to risk too much to help him on that continent.

[acw]

Oh come on - of course it's rhetorical!!!  So my answer is "yes, you're quite right, Bush displays double standards in his foreign policy and often does things for his own ends under the guise of helping others".  :-)

[Loosehead]

Have I missed something? Bush announced $350m aid for Africa yesterday.

[Loosehead]

�350m in fact

[Artful]

Okay, says the ever cynic - why, Loosehead? What does he want?

Dear me, acw, don't get your straps in a twist. I know it was rhetorical, at least I have been following the thread in the hope that it was!

And, tell me has Bush done anything to help (in the sense of 'advance' I mean) others - apart from shortening their life expectancy, that is...

[Oneeyedvic]

since in October 2000, Bush made mention of "the continent of Nigeria", one would assume that he doesn't know where Africa is.........

[Artful]

Nice one, Oneyedvic. Answers my question in my first post  - but there again, acw just in case you're around, that was rhetorical as well!

[ann_h]

Golly, 44p per head. That should reassure Liberia, once America's baby, which to the best of my knowledge has no hospital any more.