Posted on 03/20/2017 11:28:10 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
President Ian Khama’s letter to newly-elected United States of America (USA) President, Donald J Trump can be described simply as charming with its selection of words as Khama seeks to continue the good Botswana America-relations with the new President.
And he got the desired results when President Trump reciprocated and promised him a world of opportunities for prosperity, peace and trade.
Thoughtful Khama had been as humble as a lamb in his salutations to President Trump, putting aside the various light jokes he used to throw about Trump at the height of USA elections campaigns.
It would seem as soon as the Presidential elections in the USA had been decided, President Khama also decided it was enough with the light jokes and focused on continuing good relations with the head of the most commandeering country in the world.
Like all friends of America around the world, President Khama followed the tradition of penning a congratulatory message to the newly-installed USA President and chose the humblest of styles. Against the norm, Khama made sure the contents of the letter to Trump would be withheld from the public eyes until President Trump had responded.
From the tone of his letter, published publicly on Saturday morning for the first time, it is clear that had he had the opportunity to deliver the letter in person, this one would have been delivered with one knee on the floor, the letter handed with both hands.
In his letter, President Khama wished his counterpart good health and chose his words carefully as he invited President Trump to closely work with him to strengthen Botswana-America bonds, as he sought to remind Trump to note the significance of Botswana-America relationship that dates back decades. Botswana perhaps enjoyed its best USA relations under former President Bill Clinton who has since become a frequent visitor to Botswana even post his Presidency.
Clinton’s wife, Hillary who contested for the USA Presidency against Trump, also regarded Botswana highly and often liked to cite it as an example of peace, prosperity and political stability that America wishes to see around the world.
George Bush Jnr who took over from Clinton also continued the remarkable relations with Botswana and even undertook a Presidential visit that went in history as his most enjoyable during his Africa tour.
President Obama who took over from Bush did host President Khama at the White House, but never set foot on Botswana soil, despite Khama’s invitation. His wife though, the First Lady Michelle Obama’s visit to Botswana was highly publicised.
President Trump’s sweet response to Khama’s letter was sure the stuff worth putting up on BwGovernment Facebook page, as Trump warmly accepted President Khama’s congratulatory message and encouragement, as well as promising partnership and tremendous opportunities to advance shared goals, promote global stability and achieve peace and prosperity.
There is no doubt next up, President Khama would like to see his counterpart copying the good examples of his predecessors by stepping onto Botswana shores for some tête-à-tête.
Even if it doesn’t happen soon, Khama, who leaves the office in April next year, will always point to this publicly posted communication exchange between him and the last USA President of his tenure, that his Trump jokes, were just that and did not in any way spoil the fantastic relations of Botswana and the global giant.
Wow... Huge lamb chops. Maybe the visit a barber together? LOL. Botswana is not a completely corrupt country. Sun city, the okawango delta. An amazing place to visit. (I say this as a RSA expat.) Their tourism industry drives the country. Somehow they figured out the secret. Dont be a dick to your people and they wont be dicks to you and the economy will thrive. Amazing revelation, I know.
There’s a country you don’t hear about often. Which in the case of Africa, that’s a good thing.
Botswana must be a nice county...how is the racial relations?
Sun City was never in Botswana. It was in the former homeland of Bophuthatswana, now re-incorporated into South Africa.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.