Return to Table of ContentsMay 1998
Clinton aide discusses Africa trip The special assistant to President Clinton who helped plan the 11-day, historical trip to Africa gave his first debriefing outside Washington to the UMass Boston community April 8.
Ambassador Joseph Wilson IV, senior director for African Affairs for the National Security Council, said the president's visit was intended to change perceptions of the largest continent and to attract it into the world economy.
The president's trip included visits to Senegal, Ghana, Uganda, Botswana, Rwanda and South Africa. Wilson gave some insight into the selection of each country.
South Africa was not a difficult choice, Wilson said. "Nelson Mandela, I think, is a symbol of many of the things the president believes in," he said. Uganda's woman vice president shows regard for the vital roles women play in society. Botswana is committed to environmental issues, while Senegal has shown a commitment to security concerns, Wilson said. "The president wanted very much to say something about genocide," he said about the stop in Rwanda.
The president's speech "made it clear that genocide is no more acceptable on the African continent than anywhere else in the world," Wilson states.
Throughout his lecture, Wilson stressed the need for partnerships, not solely aid, between the U.S. and African countries, especially in education, health care and agriculture. Development, investment and trade are the keys, he said.
The U.S., along with African nations, must think creatively about forging new partnerships, Wilson said. "I tell people as I look out at Africa ... that ultimately, you're not going to be able to take Africa off the map."
"Joe Wilson really was the architect of President Clinton's visit to Africa," said Leonard Robinson, senior fellow at the McCormack Institute and deputy executive director of the National Summit on Africa.
The visit was sponsored by McCormack Institute and the Africa Initiative Steering Committee.