It’s hard to imagine the impact of a visit by an American head of state on an obscure country like Benin, but one can get a gist of it by reading the almost unimaginable local coverage of President Bush’s visit. According to this article from Benin’s Liberte, “An accurate accounting of the American Number One’s praise is capable of raising the Boni Yayi regime to a well-deserved pedestal. Judge for yourselves! … ‘It’s not by chance that I started with Benin,’ George Bush commented, adding: ‘I am visiting serious governments.’ Thus, the White House statement raised the Beninese government to the rank of a great student of democracy. … It was Bush who decreed the axis of evil and who ‘divinely’ proclaims the nations of virtue.”
By Sulpice O. Gbaguidi, By James Jacobson, February 18, 2008, Benin – Fraternite – Original Article (French)
With legitimate pride, [President] Boni managed the visit of the White House chief to Cotonou. And with reciprocating virtue, George Bush is “proud to be the first American President in Benin.” The United States came to buck up Benin’s chief of state in his management of change. When Bush communes with Yayi, and Laura bridges the gap with Chantal, Uncle Sam gladly sings, “The Dawn of a New Day” [Benin’s national anthem ]. Long live America, long live Benin. But the American dream has taken the form of a challenge as well.
This visit was seasoned with a healthy dose of statements by President Bush, which were event-driven and of increasing sophistication. An accurate accounting of the American Number One’s praise is capable of raising the Boni Yayi regime to a well-deserved pedestal. Judge for yourselves!
“It’s not by chance that I started with Benin,” George Bush commented, adding: “I am visiting serious governments.” Thus, the White House statement raised the Beninese government to the rank of a great student of democracy. For Boni Yayi, this testimonial of praise from the American chief executive constitutes moral leverage of great magnitude. It was Bush who decreed the axis of evil and who “divinely” proclaims the nations of virtue. “You earned this visit.” This presidential comment summarized the convictions of Bush, who is renowned for his attachment to democratic values: Benin has responded to America’s demands.
Invigorated by American support for his fight against bad governance, Boni Yayi can turn to his task. The remarks by the world’s most powerful man have had the effect of a performance-enhancing drug for the tenant of Marina, who is already known for his overwhelming energy and sense of sacrifice in the fight against the republic’s pimps and corrupted ones, who are strengthened by impunity. The nation’s underworld is now in the Head of State’s sights. The impact of Bush’s visit is likely to set in motion a hunt for those responsible for gangs, theft, embezzlement and corruption.
READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, along with continuing African coverage of President Bush’s trip.
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