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The likeness of President Bush is on the fabric of clothes worn by Tanzanian people when he arrived in Dar es Salaam. (© AP Images)

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The likeness of President Bush is on the fabric of clothes worn by Tanzanian people when he arrived in Dar es Salaam. (© AP Images)

Tanzania Gives Warm Welcome to President Bush, First Lady

Bush to sign MCC compact with President Kikwete, visit hospital

February 16, 2008   
 

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania -- Air Force One, President Bush’s official aircraft, touched down in Tanzania February 16 on the second leg of Bush's historic five-nation Africa trip. The president made a brief stop in Benin prior to his arrival in Dar es Salaam and will visit Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia afterward.

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush stepped on a red carpet, where they were greeted by Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and the first lady of Tanzania, who was dressed in a locally produced beige cloth (kanga) adorned with President Bush’s picture, Tanzanian and U.S. flags and welcome slogans in Swahili.

Beside the first lady of Tanzania, many other women on the tarmac wore the same kanga dresses adorned with slogans such as “Udumu Urafikiki Kati Ya Marekani Tanzania,” which roughly translates as “Long Live Tanzanian and American friendship.”  The kanga-clothed ladies danced in unison while waving small U.S. and Tanzanian flags as the crowds cheered wildly.

Three additional dance groups also performed, providing background music.  All three groups were clad in traditional cultural dress.

The presidential honor guard, festooned in red military tunics, green hats and blue pants stood at attention and lined the red carpet, which was bordered with yellow, black and green stripes -- the national colors of Tanzania.  After reviewing the honor guard and white tunic-clad military band, both leaders stood at attention as the national anthems were played of both countries.

The flags of both nations were unfurled as an artillery gun salute was fired from military cannons in the distance.  Air Force One sat in the background on the tarmac as the African sun began to set and the two leaders worked the rope line of dignitaries who had assembled for the ceremony.

Thousands of people turned out to line the motorcade route, which had been cleared of traffic.  The main airport road, named for Julius Nyerere, the nation’s first president, sported several illuminated billboards proclaiming U.S.-Tanzanian solidarity.  “Unity -- Tanzania and the United States,” one read, showing the pictures of both leaders and flags of both nations.

Another billboard at a main intersection said “We cherish democracy” and featured a picture of President Bush with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.  A third placard said “Thank you for the Millennium Challenge Corporation” while a fourth read “Thank you in your support in the fight against HIV/AIDS.”

One woman spectator on the airport tarmac -- clad in the beige Kanga cloth -- told America.gov she was very proud of her country and proud that President Bush and first lady Laura Bush were visiting Tanzania.  Another spectator said, “We are proud of President Bush, that he is coming to Tanzania and hope that this visit will foster an even closer relationship between the U.S. and Tanzania.”

A banner at the airport hovered over the ceremony proclaiming “Karibu” the Swahili word for welcome to Dar es Salaam, “the Haven of Peace.”

While in Tanzania, Bush is expected to hold talks with President Kikwete and sign a Millennium Challenge Corporation compact for economic growth and development.

Additionally, the president and first lady Laura Bush are expected to tour the Amana District Hospital located in the Dar es Salaam city center.  Amana serves a population of about 1 million people.  Both also will participate in a roundtable with patients and be hosted at a dinner to be held in their honor at State House, the seat of government.
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