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Clinton, Obasanjo seek common ground to grow democratic process in Nigeria
Special to USAfricaonline.com U.S. President Bill Clinton has restated that : "It is in America's interests for Nigeria to succeed" in its new effort at running a democratic government. In a joint presidential conference on October 28, 1999 in Washington D.C., Nigeria's leader Olusegun Obasanjo and Clinton also affirmed their commitments to enhance their countries' bilateral interests. In lending his support for the change from a military regime to a civilian government, Clinton argued "It is neither morally right or economically sound to ask Nigeria to ... choose between making interest payments on their debt and investing in the health and education of their children." Hence, he promised to encourage international creditors to work to ease Nigeria's debt of almost $30 billion dollars. Nigeria, Obasanjo said, "can have a breather, to be able to consolidate our democracy" if the U.S. and Nigeria's many international creditors agree to debt forgiveness and such other forms of debt assistance. "The best thing that I will want to have is not to have debt at all... So when you talk of rescheduling, I'm apprehensive. When you talk of remission, even staying of interest for some time, will be one way. But we cannot, we cannot, talk of being able to do what we need to do ... bearing the burden of debt that is hanging over us at this time." Clinton promised to support Nigeria in its quest to recover funds and assets reportedly stolen by some of the country's former leaders, especially soldiers. Obasanjo noted that Nigerians are moving away from the days where some utilized criminal activities almost as "a way of life." He added the country was creating a "conducive environment" for international investors, as well as continue the effort to fight crime in the country. Increasingly, the danger and spate of killings have raised major questions about the ability of the Obasanjo government to ensure the safety of lives and properties of Nigerians and international business persons. He used the few minutes he had during the conference which was dominated by questions directed at Clinton on international issues and domestic concerns of the White House reporters to promise a better effort to ensure safety of persons inside the country. Clinton said "We must do more to realize the promise of this moment for Nigeria, and for Africa." The difference in style and media savvy of Clinton seemed too evident; essentially punctuating their different personas. Nigeria's former military ruler (1976-1979) who was on his first visit to the White House as Nigeria's recently sworn in on May 29, 1999, as democratic leader (under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), spoke with a measured, if much slower pace, and formal tone. Clinton, typically, dealt with questions like a conversation and direct debate. Second, while the Nigerian leader appeared more cautious, Clinton showed, again, why he has one of the more engaging methods in relating with the media and the international audience. At one point, he called on the audience to clap for Obasanjo on an important issue whose delivery did not, on its own, draw the applause Clinton wished for. Clinton also underlined the fact that Nigeria was vital to the future of Africa into the next millennium. In an interview I had with Obasanjo in August 1998, he told me that "Nigeria is a blessed country which had been terribly mismanaged. Some things need to be done about it, particularly as we're entering the new millennium." In some measure, he's doing some of those things which should benefit the country, even as he faces criticisms for not dealing a fair hand to all component parts of the country. Evidently, in making the trip and articulating Nigeria's interests and perspectives on the issues he touched, retired Gen. Obasanjo has gradually but steadily enhanced the voice of over 110 million Nigerians as one of the three most formidable countries in Africa, despite the reckless and wanton economic pillaging and raw use of state power by his former junior officers and former colleagues in the Nigerian army. Nwangwu, Founder & Publisher of the Houston-based USAfricaonline.com, USAfrica The Newspaper, The Black Business Journal, BBJonline.com, and NigeriaCentral.com, is the recipient of the Journalism Excellence Award, HABJ 1997. He is writing a book on the experiences of recent African immigrants in the U.S. He also covered U.S President Bill Clinton's visit to parts of Africa, March-April, 1998. E-mail your views on U.S.-Nigeria relations for publication.
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