In this issue:

Mbeki in India: Developed Nations Cannot Solve Our Problems

Powell Pushes Anti-Sudan 'Peace Deal' in Kenya

Indian President Visits Khartoum; Two Projects Secured

From Volume 2, Issue Number 43 of Electronic Intelligence Weekly, Published Oct. 28, 2003
Africa News Digest

Mbeki in India: Developed Nations Cannot Solve Our Problems

South African President Thabo Mbeki—in India at the head of a large delegation of his Cabinet, and business leaders—declared "We cannot expect the developed nations to find solutions to our problems. Mbeki discussed health care, in Hyderabad Oct. 17, and, according to the Press Trust of India, he "called for mutual cooperation in the health-care sector to make it affordable for the common man. 'We [developing countries] cannot expect the developed nations to do research for us and find solutions to our problems,' Mbeki said," after visiting Bharat Biotech International.

Mbeki attacked the Bush Administration in delivering the Third Alfred Nzo Memorial Lecture in New Delhi, calling on India and South Africa "to collaborate and act together against those, who 'wrongly believe they can convey their message through bombs and guns,'" according to The Hindu Oct. 16. He also said that the institutions of global governance are in need of "urgent reforms," because they are not democratic.

India and South Africa signed an agreement for cooperation in electricity generation, transmission and distribution, urban and rural electrification, and "renewable" energy.

There were extensive talks on defense technologies. South Africa is working to modernize its navy, and India is seeking to improve its artillery after its deal with Soltam Ltd., the Israeli company, fell through. There was discussion of joint training and joint ventures in defense production. The South Africans discussed shipbuilding with the help of Indian shipyards.

The two governments continued negotiations necessary for a Framework Preferential Trade Agreement between the South African Customs Union and India, and reported substantial progress; the agreement is expected to be signed toward the end of 2004.

Powell Pushes Anti-Sudan 'Peace Deal' in Kenya

As expected, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, on a visit to Kenya, put more pressure on Khartoum to sign off on the disastrous peace settlement for Sudan, being pushed by Washington, and to do so within a matter of weeks. The "deal" calls for a six-year "transition," during which John Garang's forces will have control of three oil-rich southern provinces, followed by a referendum for independence.

"Both parties have agreed to remain in negotiations, and conclude a comprehensive settlement no later than the end of December," Powell said. "And both gentlemen have committed themselves to that goal of having a comprehensive settlement by the end of December. Once the parties have signed the final comprehensive agreement for peace, President Bush looks forward, and has invited them to come to the White House so that he can recognize their achievement and also endorse the agreement."

Kenyan Foreign Minister Musyoka claimed it was a parallel with Camp David, saying that Naivasha had become "our Camp David" and that Sudan's peace process is now "irreversible."

The New York Times noted Oct. 22, that Powell's overt prodding in the talks, not to mention the setting of a deadline and the holding out of the possibility of a White House ceremony, "reflected what African experts say has been an extraordinary amount of attention to a contentious African issue by the Bush Administration."

EIR founding editor Lyndon LaRouche responded to this report, by insisting that the only objective of U.S. policy is, as it has been, the destruction of Sudan—that is the intention of the forced negotiations, and this will be true until LaRouche is in the White House. Behind the intent to destroy Sudan, LaRouche added, is the intention to destroy Egypt, with Israel having a hand in the dirty operation, and with both U.S. political parties complicit.

Powell will stop in Egypt, on his way to London, when he leaves Kenya.

Indian President Visits Khartoum; Two Projects Secured

The international arm of the major Indian company, ONGC Videsh, has secured two major projects in Sudan for laying a 714 km pipeline from Khartoum to Port Sudan, for carrying crude oil and revamping a refinery in the Port of Sudan at a cost of $750 million, according to The Hindu Oct. 21. Talking to reporters accompanying President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on his three-day visit to Sudan, Managing Director and CEO of ONGC Videsh, Atul Chandra, noted: "We are the largest investor in Sudan." He said his company would encourage Indian firms to invest in these two projects, playing the role of "door opener," and encourage Indian business to invest in Sudan. Chandra noted that China has invested $20 billion in Sudan and is providing tough competition to Indian business. He added that American companies had a keen interest in Sudan.

This is the first high-profile visit by an Indian leader to Sudan in more than two decades. Kalam addressed the National Assembly of Sudan.

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