VZCZCXRO2312
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHDR #0338 1460328
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 260328Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8531
INFO RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA 0166
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 1279
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 3418
RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI 1344
RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA 2888
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHDS/USMISSION USAU ADDIS ABABA

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000338 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR INR/OPN/MR, AF/PDPA AND AF/E JLIDDLE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KMDR OPRC KPAO TZ
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: "KIKWETE-OBAMA TALKS A CHANCE TO BOOST 
TIES" 
 
The May 22nd edition of the English, National Media Group-owned, 
daily newspaper "The Citizen" (circulation 6,000) carried the 
following editorial: 
 
"By becoming the first African leader to pay new American President 
Barack Obama a visit at the White House, Tanzania Head of State 
Jakaya Kikwete has just written yet another milestone in his 
diplomatic achievements.  The meeting with Obama, the first 
African-American leader of the most powerful nation today, has been 
described, and rightly so, as not only an important encounter, but 
also a "first" for Tanzania. 
 
For Mr. Obama, holding talks with Mr. Kikwete is an opportunity to 
share insights with an adept hand at Africa's place in international 
relations.  It is not surprising, therefore, that the talks will be 
closely monitored on the continent.  The Tanzanian leader is not on 
a state visit, and being granted an audience speaks volumes about 
the premium attached to the relations between the two countries. 
 
President Kikwete will definitely use this chance to get to know a 
little better a man whose father was from Kenya, which is not only 
our close neighbor, but a country with which we share deep 
historical, trade and other ties.  The Tanzanian leader might for 
instance, also wish to brief President Obama on the steady progress 
towards East African regional integration. 
 
The two leaders' parley is another big score in Tanzania's growing 
stature as a major player in regional and continental political and 
economic diplomacy.  It comes against the backdrop of preparations 
for President Obama's first trip to Africa as the U.S. leader next 
July, during which he will go to Ghana.  Granting President Kikwete 
some time from his busy schedule is significant.  Tanzania has 
become an influential player in seeking solutions to Africa's 
political and economic problems. 
 
This brief call will go some way in further bolstering the country's 
image as a beacon of peace in a region often characterized by 
political turmoil and bad governance.  It's a continuation of Mr. 
Kikwete's solid link with the American leadership, which was 
cemented with a rare visit to Tanzania last year by former President 
George Bush, during which he spent several days. 
 
The meeting with Mr. Obama also somewhat confirms President 
Kikwete's own status, having been touted as among the rising 
generation of African leaders committed to not only entrenching good 
governance in their own countries, but also promoting regional peace 
and stability.  This is something he ably demonstrated, as chairman 
of the African Union (AU) last year. 
 
As a country, therefore, we should be happy that we continue to 
receive accolades in the world, from governments and multilateral 
organizations. The challenge is to turn this into opportunities for 
economic gain for the country and our people and to enhance 
relations with our neighbors. 
 
Announcing the meeting, the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam emphasized 
Tanzania's strategic position, stating that their President has 
pledged to work with like-minded counterparts to change the global 
politics and economy for the better.  And it confirmed that on the 
agenda were a wide range of regional and bilateral issues, including 
a U.S. pledge to promote good governance, economic development, and 
stability on the continent. 
 
President Kikwete has also been in the forefront in seeking answers 
to the continent's economic stagnation and widespread poverty.  Over 
a month ago, in the search for an African rescue plan, he hosted the 
Africa-World Bank meeting in Dar es Salaam that crafted the 
continent's position ahead of the G20 meeting in London. 
 
We hope that from this first contact, President Kikwete will come 
away with not only a mightily useful contact, but also a renewed 
vigor and commitment to push Tanzania higher up on the governance 
scales and also help enhance regional co-operation and development. 
 
ANDRE