Jiang Zemin shows up, throws them a few sheckles and he’s a national hero. This is another example of the red chinese making in-roads to Africa. I’m sure that “President” Jiang Zemin and “President” Obasanjo must have had plenty to talk about, crushing rebellions, democratic reforms, and exterminating unpopular ethnic groups.
I can’t help but think, this is a perfect example of how futile pouring untold dollars into a country fundamentally at odds with our values is a waste of money.
Owl_Eagle
”Guns Before Butter.”
As a clear demonstration of commitment to Nigeria’s newly-elected civilian leadership, the US Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, designated Nigeria as one of the top four democracy and governance priority countries in the world. The deployment of an USG interagency assessment team to Nigeria in June 1999 to explore how to best support a successful democratic transition followed.This assessment report and USAID’s own analysis of constraints and prospects formed the basis of a two-year transition strategy approved in September 1999.USAID’s new objectives contribute directly and substantially to the USG’s strategic plan for Nigeria by focussing on: Democracy, Economic Development, Population and Health.USAID’s assistance to Nigeria at this critical juncture is intended to bolster democratic governance, as well as expand the democratic dividend that will build confidence in the capacity of the new government to deliver on citizens’ basic needs.Under the new transition strategy, there are four Strategic Objectives: democracy, economic reform and agriculture, education, and health and one Special Program Objective in energy and infrastructure. These changes in content and scope of the program have been accompanied by significant increases in resources, both in terms of funding, from $38 million in FY 1999 to $100 million in FY 2000.