Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

Africa, the new Iraq

We are now going to help oil and gas laden Africa fulfill its potential just as we have helped Iraq and Afghanistan and other countries burdened with reserves or pipeline access. In my opinion this is another place to watch.

To reduce its heavy reliance on oil from the unstable Middle East, China has recently started importing more oil from Russia, Southeast Asia and Africa.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific_business/view/69607/1/.html

China has recently started importing more oil from Africa. Unfortunately this is one of the places where we want to get oil.

In fact President Bush recently went to Africa for a five-day visit that went quite well, considering that the president, who was relying on U.S. intelligence reports, was under the impression he was touring Denmark.

African oil and gas has assumed a far greater global importance in the current climate of conflict in the Middle East. Africa's reserves and the new off-shore finds have turned into a major player in the field and the continent's vast gas reserves have a potentially unlimited market.
http://www.gasandoil.com/goc/news/nta35098.htm

Africa was important for the US - and Stith admitted oil was one reason for that.
"As the Middle East has become muddled there is a clear strategy to increase the amount of oil the United States imports from Africa," he said.
"There must be an appreciation that Africa's economic security is ultimately related to America's economic and national security.
"It is not simply the moral imperative to respond to Africa's problems that begs US attention. The necessity of helping Africa fulfill its potential is equally compelling," he said. – 13 February, 2004
http://www.dispatch.co.za/2004/02/13/Foreign/oafrica.html

Let’s see, you’ve got your basic race for oil with China now a contender, al Qaeda and a horde of terrorists setting up camp, and a profound worry for the well-being of Africa. Yep, it’s all there, happy, happy Africa. -Am

Reference:
A rethink under the Bush administration has hoisted Africa a few rungs higher on the ladder of U.S. strategic interests.

Oil lies at the heart of that re-assessment because of risks to traditional U.S. supplies from the Gulf and Middle East. Analysts say Africa's share of U.S. oil imports has grown to some 17 percent and may climb to 25 percent.

Concern in Washington that al Qaeda-style networks are taking root, at least in East Africa, may account for the sudden upsurge in interest in the continent's well-being, skeptics say.

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