WT (UPI): Chinese influence in Africa raises fears

[StrafingMoose]

Washington, Jul. 29 (UPI) — U.S. lawmakers expressed concern over Beijing's growing influence in Africa, raising fears China would gain control of critical resources and undercut U.S. efforts to promote democracy and good governance on the continent.

snip

Rep. Donald Payne. D-N.J., ranking member on the committee, echoed those concerns, likening the U.S. and Chinese pursuit of resources in Africa to the Cold War-era competition for influence in the region.

"Engagement of China and the U.S. in Africa has begun to resemble a competition for resources and influence that has the potential to result in an ugly dynamic akin to that created by the Soviet Union and the U.S. during the Cold War," he said.

snip

The "U.S. must not let the current competition with China influence decisions in the same way they did in the late '80s when dictators were propped up and supported for decades just because they sided with us and not the USSR," said Payne

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More at:

http://insider.washingtontimes.com/articles/view_upi.php?StoryID=20050729-120301-9304r

[On the Road]

1. Oh Dear God, Back to Realpolitik

I don't know which is worse, support for pro-US tyrants, benign neglect, or the f'ing IMF.

[Missy M]

2. Only the US can have influence in Africa so we have control of..

resources. We own the world and China better get used to it. Of course we are only in Africa to promote democracy and we are not after their critical resources, so don't say that!!

[xchrom]

3. lol -- everyone is our enemy!

can't we couch anything economically in a more neutral tone.

of course china is in africa -- china is in central and south america too.

once i get over my fear and loathing of the media -- i can only laugh at their jackal like behavior.

[StrafingMoose]

4. Well..

there are people in the power apparatus of the neocon whose soul purpose is to keep america's primacy and to extend it...

[Voltaire99]

5. "U.S. efforts to promote democracy and good governance"

Such noble efforts as...

--ignoring humanitarian crises

--tying AIDS relief to punitive Christian fantasies

--forcing African economies to serve U.S. corporations (see: http://www.monbiot.com/archives/2005/07/09/africas-new-best-friends)

--bombing pharmaceutical factories

--making off with resources as fast as it can

Frankly, the Chinese would be hard pressed to do worse.

[mpendragon]

6. Isn't it China's turn to kick Africa in the groin?

Everyone else got a chance and it isn't fair that China can't take a turn.