John,
The current diplomatic ramp-up in Central Africa by Belgium's Foreign Minister Louis Michel is yet another indication of France's successful repelling of the U.S. in the region. The timing is perfect: Clinton's assertiveness towards Africa --or, for that matter, just any other foreign policy topic-- is dwindling by the day as the White House will be more and more focused on the Nov 2000 Presidential Election.
Besides, one has to bear in mind the powerful vested interests both France and Belgium have maintained with regard to Africa. To put it bluntly, the US always had its Latin-American backyard, whereas Europe steadily enjoyed its African chasse gard‚e. Similarly, the US record of interventions in Central/South America abounds with heavy-handed schemes (Nicaragua, Panama, Chile, Grenada, etc.) just as Europe's record is filled with African escapades (Tchad, Congo, Bangui, Brazzaville,....).
Accordingly, here's an issue that will soon make the headlines of all the Belgian media:
FEBRUARY 2000
CONGO
COVER STORY
Lumumba: The implications
Analysis by Francois Misser.
If the Belgian commission of inquiry concludes that the country bears a major responsibility in the assassination of Lumumba, the decision may have a snowball effect on Belgium, Congo itself, America and its allies France and Britain; and finally the United Nations and the African continent.
According to the political scientist, Jean-Claude Willame, author of Patrice Lumumba: La Crise Congolaise Revisitee, it is no coincidence that the decision by the Belgian parliament to examine the country's responsibility in the assassination, has come now.
Willame, based at the African Institute in Brussels, thinks the decision has domestic political undercurrents. He thinks that Louis Michel, the current Belgian foreign minister, who strongly backed the idea to set up the inquiry, may be out to embarrass the Social-Christian Party (SCP) which ceased to be part of the ruling coalition last June. This is the first time since 1961 that the SCP has been out of government. [...]
ds.dial.pipex.com |
