Chicago Tribune - July 11, 2003
Bob Kemper, Tribune correspondent

Botswana has one of the world's highest rates of HIV/AIDS, with nearly 4 out of every 10 sexually active adults infected. Despite an aggressive public-health campaign by the government, the disease threatens to undermine the nation's status as one of Africa's best economic success stories.

"My country is acting to help all of Africa in turning the tide against AIDS," Bush said during a luncheon toast to Botswana President Festus Mogae. "This is the deadliest enemy Africa has ever faced, and you will not face this enemy alone."

Three days into his five-day tour of Africa, Bush found in Botswana something that had previously eluded him: a warm reception and a chance to talk about his humanitarian agenda for Africa rather than the problems facing the U.S. over Iraq and Liberia.

"We cry for the orphan," Bush said. "We care for the mom who is alone. We are concerned about the plight and, therefore, will respond as generously as we can."

Botswana, a nation about the size of Texas with 1.68 million citizens, boasts one of the highest per capita incomes in Africa--$3,100--thanks largely to its diamond industry. But about 20 percent of the population and 40 percent of the sexually active adults are infected with HIV/AIDS, which has devastated the workforce.

"I think now, several days into the trip and with three countries under our belt, the president has been able to demonstrate to Africa and the rest of the world that he considers Africa to be a priority of his administration," Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday.

White House aides complain that Bush's commitment to Africa has been given short shrift by advocacy groups and the media. They note he has met with 22 African leaders since taking office and has spent the past 2 1/2 years developing his agenda for the continent.

"The purpose of the trip was not a political exercise and was not designed to influence the election of next year," said Powell, a driving force behind Bush's decision to tackle Africa's AIDS crisis. "It was designed to deal with real problems facing people in need in Africa."

Powell dismissed those who complain that Bush's trip pales in comparison to the 1998 visit of President Bill Clinton.

In countries where Clinton was received by large crowds, Bush has found few if any displays of widespread support.

Nelson Mandela exemplifies the divide. The former South African president was at Clinton's side throughout his visit. But Mandela, who has harshly criticized the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and Bush personally, left South Africa this week and will not return until Bush leaves.

Powell said that while Clinton's trip was heavy on symbolism, Bush arrived in Africa with a much more substantial agenda and chose to focus his time on meetings with national leaders who could help implement his proposals.

"We're not here for style, we're here for substance," Powell said.

Bush's commitment to the agenda he laid out--including $100 million for anti-terrorist activities and $200 million in famine relief--has been questioned by a variety of groups because those initiatives, like his AIDS proposal, have yet to be funded by Congress.

But Mogae expressed only admiration and appreciation for the president.

In a luncheon toast to Bush, he said: "Recently, when Botswana appealed to the United States for help in the fight against HIV/AIDS, you not only increased the funding for the . . . testing and counseling program but also restored the Peace Corps program to mitigate the human resources constrained.

"The assistance and cooperation we have received clearly demonstrates that, in the United States, Botswana has a true and dependable partner."

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