Bush: No more paternalism in aid to Africa

The following is an excerpt from an AP article by Ben Feller on Brietbart.com:

"The president is traveling to Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia. All have benefited from U.S. aid to save lives and develop their countries.

"We have also revolutionized the way we approach development," Bush said. "Too many nations continue to follow either the paternalistic notion that treats African countries as charity cases, or a model of exploitation that seeks only to buy up their resources. America rejects both approaches."

"Instead, Bush said, the U.S. treats African leaders as equal partners who must set clear goals and achieve measurable results."

. . .

"Bush's address had another goal: to ease nervousness in Africa, where some who have benefited in his presidency wonder what will happen when it ends.

"I will assure our partners in Africa that the United States is committed to them today, tomorrow, and long into their continent's bright future," Bush said, even though that promise extends beyond his reach.

"Bush's investment initiatives for Africa are widely viewed as popular and productive, even in a deeply political atmosphere in Washington."

Programs mentioned in the article include the Millennium Challenge Account and funds for combatting HIV/AIDS and malaria. The Secretary of State will take a side trip to Kenya to encourage the peace and reconciliation talks there following last month's violence.

These are all encouraging signs, but I'm cynical enough know that it takes more than human government to make a real difference in the world.