Conflicts not focus of Africa trip: Bush

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COTONOU, Benin, Feb 16 AP): President Bush said Saturday that while his trip to Africa is focused on success stories and not the conflicts roiling nearly every corner of the continent, his administration is actively engaged in resolving the turmoil there.
When you herald success, it helps others realise what it possible," the president said. "This is a large place with a lot of nations and no question not everything is perfect. On the other hand, there are a lot of great success stories and the United States (US) is pleased to be involved with those success stories."
On a five-nation journey, Bush is highlighting America's commitment to health and development in Africa, an aspect of his foreign policy overshadowed by war in Iraq. The image of the US has declined in many parts of the world, but remains high here in Africa.
After a three-hour stop in Benin, Bush flew to the other side of Africa to stay in Tanzania, the focus of his agenda Sunday and Monday. Bush, who also was visiting Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia, said he would address African trouble spots in his meetings with African leaders.
The president's trip comes as conflict flared across the continent, with new crises in Kenya and Chad and systemic troubles in places such as Somalia, Sudan and Zimbabwe. During a news conference with the president of Benin, Bush specifically mentioned US efforts in Kenya and Sudan's Darfur region.
In Kenya, where he is dispatching Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday to peel off from his entourage for a quick trip to Nairobi, Bush said he thought it would send a strong message to have her impart his views.
Bush is the first US president to visit Benin, one of Africa's most-stable democracies. The nation has many political parties, a strong civil society and press freedoms, yet is one of world's poorest countries, severely underdeveloped and corrupt.
Benin gave Bush the chance to tout one of the initiatives underpinning his trip to Africa, the Millennium Challenge Account. It provides U.S. aid to countries that agree to govern justly, shun corruption, help their own people and support economic freedoms.
The president and his wife, Laura, landed in the West African nation on a muggy day, walking off Air Force One onto a red carpet. They were greeted with a military salute by troops in camouflage uniforms and berets, men in purple shirts blowing lively tunes on horns and signs of appreciation for US aid to the nation.