Wikileaks: Kufuor Identifies NPP with GOP

FROM AMBASSADOR MARY C. YATES TO A/S CONNIE NEWMAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2014

TAGS: GH PREL

SUBJECT: PRESIDENT KUFUOR REQUESTS POTUS MEETING

Classified By: Ambassador Mary C. Yates for reasons 1.5 d and e.

¶1. (C) This message has two requests:

A) A request from President Kufuor for a meeting with

President Bush, and

B) A request from me for a congratulatory phone call from

President Bush or senior USG official to Kufuor on his

reelection.

¶2. (C) Ghanaian President John Kufuor specifically asked me

December 3 about the possibility of being invited to meet

with President Bush in Washington. He was very optimistic

about his election chances. On numerous occasions he has

closely identified himself, his party, and their elephant

symbol with President Bush and the U.S. Republican party. He

did not elaborate on the substance or purpose of the proposed

meeting. (Comment: The recent White House visits of the two

other significant West African presidents, Obasanjo and Wade,

undoubtedly influenced this request. End comment.)

¶3. (C) I support such an invitation. On December 10, the

Electoral Commission declared President Kufuor the winner,

with 52.75 percent of the popular vote (the opposition NDC

party has not yet accepted the results). Kufuor has

encouraged strong relations with the United States. As head

of ECOWAS for the past two years (his term will expire in

January 2005) and President of a rare peaceful, prosperous

democracy in West Africa, he has played a constructive role

in regional peace efforts. Ghana contributes heavily to

international peacekeeping efforts, supports our

counterterrorism agenda, and has cooperated in a growing

military-military relationship. The recently completed

national elections were a model for Africa -- generally

peaceful, free and fair, with around 80 percent turnout,

supported by a vibrant civil society. I believe a meeting

with President Bush would send a strong signal of support for

democracy and peacebuidling in West Africa.

¶4. (C) In addition to a POTUS meeting, given the impressive

election process and our good relations with Ghana, I request

that a senior USG official (President Bush, SecState, or NSC

Advisor) call President Kufuor and congratulate him on his

reelection.