The New Nation - Internet Edition

Reuters, Cotonou

President George W. Bush arrived in Benin on Saturday to start a five-nation tour of Africa aimed at highlighting U.S. support for health, education and democracy in the world's poorest continent. Air Force One, carrying Bush and his wife Laura, touched down at Benin's Cadjehoun international airport where the U.S. leader was due to meet President Thomas Boni Yayi in a brief stopover before flying on to Tanzania. Bush is also due to visit Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia during his six-day trip to Africa, his second to the continent. Bush's African tour in the final year of his presidency takes him to five countries carefully chosen to try to show a different face from the poverty-plagued and conflict-stricken continent normally portrayed by the world's media. Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia are now relatively stable states whose presidents are viewed by Washington as a new generation of leaders, with democratic credentials, who can show the positive potential of Africa.