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.
