Ex-U.S. President Bill Clinton urges Africans to team up for economic growth

Associated Press | September 23, 2002

[HAL9000]

ACCRA, Ghana, Sep 23, 2002 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton on Monday urged Africans to team up to fight poverty, saying boundary-less cooperation means boundless economic potential.

"Through cooperation and collaborative efforts, termites have been able to pull down strong edifices," Clinton said. "Bees have been able to build houses for humans to tap heir honey from."

Clinton, who is in Africa to promote efforts to fight AIDS and encourage economic development, was speaking to an assemblage of government ministers, traditional rulers and academics at the launch of Ghana President John Kufuor's Foundation for Building the Capital of the Poor.

The foundation aims to help poverty-stricken Ghanaians gain legal title to their land, which they can then use to secure loans for other development-enhancing investments.

Currently, chiefs are the trustees of land for many Ghanaians, curtailing the land's use as collateral. Practices of land tenure also vary among areas, making the transfer of deeds among groups difficult.

Clinton arrived in Ghana on Sunday, when he attended a private dinner with Kufuor.

He was expected to travel to Abuja, Nigeria late Monday. His tour will also take him to Rwanda, Mozambique and South Africa. He returns Sept. 29 to the United States.

In 1998, Clinton became the first U.S. president to tour Africa while in office. He visited the continent again in August 2000 and returned a third time in April 2001, after he left the White House.

Copyright 2002 Associated Press, All rights reserved

[WorkingClassFilth]

X42 should know all about termites. As an insect that shuns the light, he made a career out of promoting the eating of 'wood.' With his large head and soft, white bulbous body, he built his legacy's edifice of saliva, excrement and decay. Yes, he knows whereof he speaks.

[Vidalia]

" Former U.S. President Bill Clinton on Monday urged Africans to team up... "

Jeez, Clinton, that's the problem.

They've been "teaming up" since the dawn of primordial ooze, without Trojans or alligator dodo, and guess what?

There's a bit of a population explosion!

What's the good news? Thanks to a "no help" policy from you, they are still dying like ants.

"Team up' to Billy Blythe Clinton is just code for XXXXXXX...

[Diogenesis]

[BulletBrasDotNet]

Hmmm. What's his point going there? Is he diversifying his diversity in staining new real estate?

[Howlin]

Do you suppose if we kill a few lambs and smear the blood on our doors, "this too will pass?"

[WorkingClassFilth]

Caption: The chieftan with a heart of darkness.

[Calvin Locke]

"Team up' to Billy Blythe Clinton is just code for XXXXXXX...

Or $$$$$$...for him.

[breakem]

I am starting a business with a Dr. in Nigeria. He has e-mailed me and wants to share $10mill. Can't wait to here back from him, he just contacting my bank.

[kabar]

"In 1998, Clinton became the first U.S. president to tour Africa while in office. He visited the continent again in August 2000 and returned a third time in April 2001, after he left the White House."

Just follow the money....

[ArcLight]

Is it just me or is this a little insulting? Going over to Ghana and talking about termites and bees? I don't really think Clinton meant anything by it, but it reminds me of a cavalry scout sent in to negotiate with the Apaches. "You strong like mighty river, brave like grizzly bear...." and so forth.

Okay, so I'm being silly, but that's what I thought of as I read this. "Okay, now these are Africans. Yeah, that's right. Africans. They're into nature and stuff. So I'll talk in language they can understand. Yeah, sure. That's it. Er...You people are strong like the mighty termite, productive as the noble bees."

[jd777]

Yeah, you africans, time to "team up". My name is General Bill Clinton, I am the new King of Ghana.

[Black Agnes]

He's just lettin' them know he 'feels their pain'. He IS a pain. Too bad there weren't bees for real, in his PANTS!

[Vidalia]

Oh God nooo! You're Right! The Slimeballer is over there selling his "Pure DNA for Dollars"...

This creature is sick..

[Paul Atreides]

It must be so, so, so horrible to live in such a poor nation and have to listen to that butt-pimple blathering on and on and on.

[Paul Atreides]

"She'll do, but that blue dress will have to go!"

[Paul Atreides]

Yeah...if a bee stung him in the right location, he might be able to swell up larger than a bent nub.

[WorkingClassFilth]

It struck me exactly the same way.

Knowing X42's instinctual ability to shape-shift, tailor messages, manipulate and suck-up for whatever he wants, I believe you have nailed the psychology behind the message with uncommon clarity, swiftness and accuracy.

[maro]

I knew something was bothering me about his remarks. If you think about it for 10 seconds, you realize he said absolutely nothing.

[Paul Atreides]

"Bees have been able to build houses for humans to tap heir honey from."

I cannot believe his people actually let him get out there and talk about building houses for humans to tap some honey. He sounds as if he is describing his trip to a brothel.