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| U.S. President Barack Obama and former U.S. President George W. Bush pause for a moment of silence during a wreath laying ceremony to honor the victims of the U.S. Embassy bombing, July 2, 2013 |
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania Democratic President
Barack Obama and Republican predecessor President George W. Bush found
common ground in Africa on Tuesday, honoring the victims of a terrorist
attack in an unprecedented chance encounter a world away from home.
The
U.S. presidents had a brief, silent appearance together at a monument
to victims of the 1998 embassy bombing here in the east African city
where Bush coincidentally happened to be as Obama wrapped up a weeklong
tour of the continent. While the two U.S. leaders didn't say anything
publicly, their wives engaged in a warm and chatty joint appearance at a
summit on African women.
Initially the two presidents weren't even planning to meet while in
town, but first lady Michelle Obama joked as she sat next to her
predecessor: "They're learning from us."
The Obamas
departed Africa for home shortly after crossing paths with the Bushes,
who were hosting the summit promoting the role of African first ladies
in bringing change to their countries. Bush ended up joining the current
president for the wreath-laying ceremony honoring the Tanzanian victims
of the simultaneous attacks at the U.S. embassies here and in Kenya
masterminded by Osama bin Laden.
The two presidents bowed
their heads as a Marine placed the wreath of red, white and blue
flowers in front of the large stone memorial on the grounds of the new
U.S. Embassy. After a few moments, they shook hands with survivors of
the attack and relatives of those killed before walking back into the
embassy together in private discussion.
At that
very moment, their wives were putting on a public display of mutual
affection in a discussion moderated by American journalist Cokie
Roberts. Mrs. Obama said she wanted to appear with Laura Bush because "I
like this woman."
"It's sort of a club, a sorority, I guess," Mrs. Bush responded.
Their
goal was to encourage African first ladies to raise their voices for
causes they are passionate about, even if the public is sometimes
focused on more trivial matters, the said.
"While people are sorting through our shoes and our hair ..." Mrs. Obama started.
"Whether
we have bangs," Mrs. Bush interjected to laughter. Mrs. Obama expressed
surprise that her change in hair style this year would prompt so much
media coverage. "Who would have thought?"
But Mrs. Obama said: "Eventually people stop looking at our bangs and they start looking at what we are standing in front of."
While in Africa, Obama repeatedly has praised
Bush for helping save millions of lives by funding AIDS treatment. "I'm
looking forward to being able, on African soil, to once again thank him
on behalf of the American people for showing how American generosity and
foresight could end up making a real difference in people's lives,"
Obama said Monday.
But Obama also said he wants to change
the approach the U.S. takes with Africa. "We are looking at a new model
that's based not just on aid and assistance, but on trade and
partnership," he said.
"Ultimately, the goal here is for
Africa to build Africa for Africans," Obama said. "And our job is to be a
partner in that process."
In that spirit, Obama
announced a new trade agreement with eastern African nations and a
program to bring more power to Africans without access to electricity.
One
invention that could help on the electricity front is the SOCCKET ball,
developed by two Harvard graduates. The ball has a pendulum-like
mechanism inside that creates kinetic energy during play and stores it.
Its maker says 30 minutes of play can power a simple LED lamp for three
hours. The plan is to distribute it to kids in Africa.
During
a visit to a local power plant with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete,
Obama kicked a ball off his foot and did a low header.
"We're
going to start getting these all around Africa," Obama said at the
Ubungo Power Plant, which was funded by a U.S grant and built by
American corporations General Electric and Symbion. "Pretty impressive
stuff."
In remarks afterward, he touted the "Power Africa" electricity program as a win-win for Africans and U.S. companies.
He
also reflected on the weeklong trip, recalling some of the folks he met
along the way, including a female farmer in Senegal and young people in
Soweto.
"I'm inspired because I'm absolutely convinced
that with the right approach, Africa and its people can unleash a new
era of prosperity," Obama said.
© 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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