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WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says slavery is a terrible part of the United States’ history and should be taught in a way that connects such cruelties of the past to current events. During an interview with CNN in Ghana, Obama compared the legacy of slavery to the history of the Holocaust. He said their lessons must not be forgotten.
“I think it’s important that the way we think about it and the way it’s taught is not one in which there’s simply a victim and a victimizer, and that’s the end of the story. I think the way it has to be thought about, the reason it’s relevant, is because whether it’s what’s happening in Darfur or what’s happening in the Congo or what’s happening in too many places around the world, you know, the capacity for cruelty still exists.”
Obama spoke at Cape Coast Castle, a West African site where traders once shipped slaves to the New World.
The president, his wife, Michelle, and their daughters visited the slave trading post on Saturday at the end of a trip that took them to Russia, Italy and Ghana. Obama was interviewed Saturday for CNN’s “Anderson Cooper: 360.”
(The Independent) – The ceremonies themselves, though brief, were elaborate, and observers were impressed with Mr Obama’s inspirational speech to Members of Parliament. “The President embraced me with no pride,” said radio DJ and musician Blakk Rasta, who composed a song in support of Mr Obama during the presidential campaign. “He thanked me for my support and song, and said I am a true son of Africa. He took my contact details and said he would like to talk to me in private. For me, it was a dream come true.”
The breakfast meeting at Osu Castle clearly overwhelmed the musician. “I feel humbled by the President’s visit especially because I believe it was to thank Ghanaians for giving him the greatest support in Africa during his campaign,” he said.
Abeiku Santana, Ghanaian broadcaster and member of Friends for Obama, said the president’s inauguration has inspired his country. “From a distance, we were inspired by his ideals and vision even before he became President,” he said.
Henrietta Koranteng, a university student, said she was extremely excited. “It was a historic event and I love Obama’s youthfulness and his belief that anybody can achieve heights irrespective of race or age.
Celebrations spilled out far beyond the capital. In the Central Region, Chiefs and crowds gathered hours ahead of Mr Obama’s visit to the Cape Coast Castle amidst drumming and dancing, while in the northern regional capital, Tamale, the euphoria was no different.
Dutch tv documentary filmed in America on the Amtrak train traveling from New York – Detroit – Chicago – Spokane – San Francisco. Interviews with travelers from very different background tell their life’s story and personal dream. Amazing how Obama’s election is a boost and personification of the ultimate American dream, nearly destroyed by eight years of Bush/Cheney. Only the first few minutes of introduction is Dutch spoken, the rest is English conversation.
Mary, a Palestinian young woman from Bethlehem, compares the struggle of the Palestinians under Israeli occupation with the struggle of African-Amaricans to escape slavery. Some interesting individuals and well spoken.
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ACCRA, Ghana (BBC News) – Barack Obama told CNN he had told officials to “collect the facts for me” and could order a full inquiry.
The allegations concern the deaths of hundreds or even thousands of Taliban fighters who had surrendered to the US-backed Northern Alliance in late 2001. They were in the custody of a US-backed warlord, Gen Abdul Rashid Dostum.
The allegations that the prisoners were deliberately left to suffocate in shipping containers, or were shot dead through the container walls, first surfaced in 2002 but there has been no formal investigation.
Barack Obama told CNN he had told officials to “collect the facts for me” and could order a full inquiry.
The allegations concern the deaths of hundreds or even thousands of Taliban fighters who had surrendered to the US-backed Northern Alliance in late 2001.
The allegations that the prisoners were deliberately left to suffocate in shipping containers, or were shot dead through the container walls, first surfaced in 2002 but there has been no formal investigation.
At the time Gen Dostum was on the CIA payroll and his militia was working closely with US forces, the New York Times said.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."Ah but the CIA doesn’t do war crimes. It has subcontractors to do its dirty work…
Anybody know nwhy Obama didn’t visit Kenya as his first port of call in Africa? Seems a pretty pointed message that he is none too impressed with Kenyan democracy…