SIDID:  I never said to turn a deaf ear to what the
U.S. affairs in Africa, but that we as africans need
to be mindful of collaborations and ties we get into.
Not because a venture is suitable for U.K. (for e.g.),
doesn't mean that it bears the same interests and
rewards for other African nations.  We've been fooled
many a time by joining all types of world
organizations.  To be honest with you, the powerhouses
gather us not for our interest, but for their votes
when decision time comes.  Our best interest in my
opinion has never been fully sought after.

It is a pity that even the learned of us africans
can't see the picture clearly.  In all honesty, how
much help have we got from the U.S. since our
country's inception to independence.  They loan us
silver and expect gold in return.  It's nothing but
capitalism at its best.

Keep Seeking.

Essa

--- sidi sanneh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Essa,
> I hate to butt in at this stage but Ms. Ylva
> Hernlund
> has been providing me, and I am sure many others,
> very
> valuable links to facilitate our work. In my case,
> she
> has provided me with information and contacts which
> have greatly enhanced my work. Those of us in the
> type
> of business I am in cannot afford to ignore the
> actions of the US. Let me give you an example, on
> the
> 9th March this year,the International Financial
> Institutions Commission established by Congress to
> review and, indeed re-focus (and some might even
> argue
> "re-define") the roles of the World Bank and IMF
> and,
> in the process re-define the role of the African
> Development Bank and ALL other Regional Development
> Banks, submitted its report to Congress. On its own,
> this congressional action is purely an American
> affair
> but its implications go well beyond her shores; as
> many of Congress' recent action with Helms at the
> helm. We may not like it but the US is running the
> show, for now at least, so we might as well get use
> to
> the idea while ensuring that Africa's interests are
> protected and preserved. For those who are
> interested
> in getting more information on the Meltzer
> Commission's Report can visit its web site
> http://phantom-x.gsia.cmu/IFIAC The Commission's
> Report was the subject of BBC hour-long phone-in
> programme last sunday. For your information, the
> majority of the callers and e-mailers were Africans
> concerned about the far-reaching implications of the
> Report's recommendations on Africa.Mr. Wolfensien
> was
> the guest.
> The United States business is our business, it is
> the
> world's business. Personally,I wish to express my
> sincere thanks for the services being rendered by
> Ms.
> Hernlund. Please keep it up. For Essa, I am only
> expressing my genuine desire for everyone to
> recognise
> the importance of not letting the US have it's way
> on
> just about everything, particularly those that
> directly affect us while we sit back and watch
> helplessly. I hope that you will join in this
> endeavour. Thank you
> Sidi Sanneh
>
> --- tester testers <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > Excuse me:
> >
> > Answer this question.  "If the United States of
> > America has little regard towards its citizens of
> > color (especially black folks), what makes you
> think
> > they would take the African continent with any
> > seriousness, except if it benefits them."  I can
> > cite
> > many examples even in recent years of diminishing
> > U.S.
> > interest in African states.  Even though there are
> 2
> > or 3 congressmen (or even the President who may
> > raise
> > a brow), the system is such that decisions are
> made
> > by
> > the majority in the house.  East Africa has been
> > plagued with massive disasters and little was done
> > to
> > remedy their plight.
> >
> > To cut a long discussion short, why with all the
> > turmoil in Africa, the U.S. as well as its allies
> > are
> > turning away from Africa with each passing day.
> > Africa has internal problems that are deeply
> rooted
> > in
> > its culture for the most part.  It is for us as
> > africans to rid ourselves of such ills before
> trying
> > to build western relations.  All we've ever got
> from
> > the western world has been mostly detrimental.
> Seek
> > help from your neighbor, not your enemy.
> >
> > May I be excused.
> >
> > Essa
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- Ylva Hernlund <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > > Essa,
> > > Perhaps you have not been following earlier
> > e-mails
> > > regarding the Summit
> > > which explains its history and purpose. It IS
> > about
> > > how the United States
> > > should conduct its dealings with Africa. A
> > > constituency of
> > > African-Americans, Africans in America and
> friends
> > > of Africa who care
> > > about the way the United States deals with
> Africa
> > > have worked on this
> > > document in order to improve both US policy
> > towards
> > > Africa and the general
> > > level of awareness about Africa in the US (which
> > in
> > > turn will obviously
> > > greatly affect US support for things like debt
> > > relief).  It is NOT a
> > > document that seeks to tell Africa how to run
> > > itself. I believe there are
> > > other Summits going on, for example in Italy,
> > which
> > > will address how other
> > > powers positions themselves towards Africa.
> > > I would strongly urge you to visit the Summit
> Web
> > > Page for more
> > > information; in particular the Historical
> > Background
> > > paper on US Africa
> > > policy is very informative and may still some of
> > > your concerns.  Best,
> > > Ylva Hernlund
> > >
> > > On Wed, 22 Mar 2000, tester testers wrote:
> > >
> > > > It's amusing that that all 10 recommendations
> > need
> > > the
> > > > U.S. help/aid/support.  It looks like "U.S.
> > summit
> > > in
> > > > Africa".  Why do we ahve to ask the U.S. to
> take
> > > the
> > > > lead.  The fact is every country on this earth
> > > exists
> > > > for the well being and interest of its
> citizens.
> > > I
> > > > believe the U.S. will effect full
> participation
> > if
> > > > they see great forthcomings in the short run.
> > > >
> > > > Essa
> > > >
> > > > --- Ylva Hernlund <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
> > > > > NATIONAL SUMMIT ON AFRICA: TOP TEN PRIORITY
> > > > > RECOMMENDATIONS
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > During the National Summit, delegates
> > > deliberated
> > > > > and adopted the following
> > > > > 10 priority recommendations (two for each of
> > the
> > > > > National Summit on
> > > > > Africa's five themes) for immediate action,
> > and
> > > to
> > > > > serve as the anchors to
> > > > > the National Policy Plan of Action for
> > > U.S.-Africa
> > > > > Relations in the 21st
> > > > > Century.
> > > > >
> > > > > Economic Development, Trade and Investment,
> > and
> > > Job
> > > > > Creation:
> > > > >
> > > > > 1.                              The U.S.
> > should
> > > take
> > > > > the lead in providing
> > > > > prompt and meaningful debt relief for Africa
> > by
>
=== message truncated ===

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