By Barry Moody
DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - President George W. Bush's comingAfrican tour will emphasise the caring side of U.S. policy butit is widely seen as being more about military interests, oilsupplies and combating Chinese influence.
Bush is scheduled to start a tour of five nations with abrief stop in Benin on Saturday, although he has threatened todelay the trip because of a legislative battle with Congress.
The five countries -- Tanzania, Ghana, Liberia and Rwanda,as well as Benin -- have been chosen for what are viewed asstrong democratic credentials and successful U.S. aid projects.
The centrepiece and longest stop of the tour will beTanzania, whose leader, President Jakaya Kikwete, is seen byWashington as a poster boy for progressive African government.
Bush, accompanied by his wife Laura, will visit hospitals,schools, AIDS and malaria projects. In Tanzania he will signthe biggest ever grant, of $698 million, under his MilleniumChallenge Corp, to fund water, energy and infrastructure.
The MCC is intended to reward good governance and soundeconomic policies.
Kikwete named a new cabinet this week after the previousprime minister resigned over a corruption probe but Washingtonsees this as confirmation of the president's anti-graftcredentials rather than an embarrassment.
Bush's attempt to anoint some of his more successfulpolicies in Africa in the dying months of his presidency risksbeing derailed by cynicism over U.S. motives and the sameissues, led by Iraq, that have made him unpopular elsewhere.
About 2,000 Muslims marched peacefully through Dar esSalaam on Friday to protest against Bush and his war on terror.
One of the march organisers, Sheikh Mussa Kundecha, toldReuters: "Bush will be here for his own benefit instead ofcaring about the people of the country."
Student Emmanuel Dickson said earlier: "America and Bushhave one policy, to look after their own interests. If he isgoing to give us money for infrastructure and health ... whatdoes he want in return? He wants to bring forces to Africa andhe wants to stop the Chinese from getting a greater hold."
Beijing is now Africa's third biggest trading partner,behind the European Union and the United States, after a huge30 percent jump in the first 10 months of 2007.
AFRICOM
Analysts say confused U.S. policy on Africa and badhandling of its new Africa command (Africom), particularlypremature discussion of basing it on the continent, havealienated regional powers like South Africa and made Washingtonunpopular.
Bush approved Africom, a new command for Africa to offerboth training to African armies and humanitarian work, a yearago. But African opposition has forced it for the moment toshelve plans to base the headquarters on the continent.
Africom has added to Africa's unhappiness over otherelements of Bush's post 9/11 campaign against Islamistmilitants.
U.S. backing for the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia a yearago to prop up a weak transitional government against Islamistinsurgents and the subsequent "rendition" of Muslim suspects,including Kenyan nationals, to Ethiopia has caused widespreadanger.
Patrick Smith of the Africa Confidential newsletter saidU.S. policy "appears to be at sea ... what is the foundation ofthe policy? Is it a security nexus based on militarisation oris it a much more development-oriented policy?"
"There is a sense that Africa has got the fag end of thewar on terror and that it has been very badly handled and ifanything has diminished the U.S.'s standing in the region withno great benefit in terms of military effect."
There is also a widely held belief around the continentthat Bush is trying to counteract growing Asian, especiallyChinese, influence and investment and that Washington is onlyreally interested in oil resources in the Gulf of Guinea --expected to provide 25 percent of its needs by 2015.
"What is on top of Bush's mind is the Chinese. China isworrying to the U.S. It is not only taking markets andalternative trade partnerships ...African countries will nolonger need American aid to survive," said Ugandan studentJoseph Mwaka.
Houcine Akkari, a retired man in Tunis told Reuters: "TheU.S. says it wants to help Africa to boost democracy, reducepoverty and improve governance. But the truth is so different.Bush wants to exploit Africa which is rich in naturalresources, without giving anything to Africa." (Additionalreporting by Wangui Kanina, Francis Kwera in Kampala, and SoniaOunissi in Tunis)
