Comments on: The Chinese can have Rwanda, and move over Madonna http://www.bloggernews.net/1293 High-quality English language analysis and editorial writing on the news. Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:37:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: wchurch http://www.bloggernews.net/1293#comment-51 wchurch Wed, 11 Oct 2006 06:27:16 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/1293#comment-51 John Thanks for your response to one of our articles. It is difficult to tell if your response was a "send-up" as we say in the UK or for real. Unfortunately, I suspect it was real. Your comments show a lack of understanding of Central and East Africa and if read by others might perpetuate the view that Africa is hopeless. The truth is far from that view. First, from coast to coast in Central to East Africa all governments have been democratically elected. Second, Africa has one of the highest economic growth rates (GDP) in the world and I might add it is nearly triple if not double the US GDP growth rate. Third, I really need to clarify that there has not been a civil war in Rwanda for 12 years. Rwanda has one of the best road networks in the region. The capital Kigali has modern bus service, paved roads, a very low crime rate, modern buildings being contructed every day, and a growing health care infrastructure. (I have been to parts of Los Angeles that look like it was still recovering from a war and that area is only five blocks from the city centre.) Rwanda is not ravaged by AID. The infection rate is three percent which is higher that some Western countries but definitely not ravaged. Unfortunately, it shows your stereotyped view of Africa. Now to the issue of the Chinese. The Chinese are acquiring new markets for their products and acquiring oil to assist in their fast economic growth. The United States is highly dependent on middle east oil which I think we can all agree is not really a good idea consider the US is at war with Islam and Arabs. I hope this helps you gain a better understanding of Africa. PS. I urge you to read up on the US involvement in the Rwanda civil war it might also gain some insight as to your country. John
Thanks for your response to one of our articles. It is difficult to tell if your response was a “send-up” as we say in the UK or for real. Unfortunately, I suspect it was real.
Your comments show a lack of understanding of Central and East Africa and if read by others might perpetuate the view that Africa is hopeless. The truth is far from that view.

First, from coast to coast in Central to East Africa all governments have been democratically elected. Second, Africa has one of the highest economic growth rates (GDP) in the world and I might add it is nearly triple if not double the US GDP growth rate.

Third, I really need to clarify that there has not been a civil war in Rwanda for 12 years. Rwanda has one of the best road networks in the region. The capital Kigali has modern bus service, paved roads, a very low crime rate, modern buildings being contructed every day, and a growing health care infrastructure. (I have been to parts of Los Angeles that look like it was still recovering from a war and that area is only five blocks from the city centre.)
Rwanda is not ravaged by AID. The infection rate is three percent which is higher that some Western countries but definitely not ravaged. Unfortunately, it shows your stereotyped view of Africa.

Now to the issue of the Chinese. The Chinese are acquiring new markets for their products and acquiring oil to assist in their fast economic growth. The United States is highly dependent on middle east oil which I think we can all agree is not really a good idea consider the US is at war with Islam and Arabs.

I hope this helps you gain a better understanding of Africa.
PS. I urge you to read up on the US involvement in the Rwanda civil war it might also gain some insight as to your country.

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