06 November 2009

President Barack Obama is complimenting Botswana for its economic management and political governance and its president, Seretse Ian Khama, for his leadership.
Ian_Khama

Obama welcomed Khama to the White House on Thursday, three weeks after Botswana voters re-elected the retired lieutenant general's Botswana Democratic Party, the only ruling party in the southern African country since it won independence from Britain in 1966.

"Although Botswana is not a large country, it is truly one of the extraordinary success stories in Africa. Since the mid-'60s it has moved on a path of good economic management and outstanding political governance," said Obama.

Sitting beneath a painting of George Washington, the first U.S. president, Obama used the word "extraordinary" several times in describing Botswana's progress and to describe relations between the United States and Botswana.

"President Khama I think has been showing his own extraordinary leadership in helping to move his country forward on a range of issues, from how to deal with the HIV/AIDS crisis to addressing economic development to dealing with some of the regional problems that exist."

Khama said the presidents' discussion covered climate change and the upcoming Copenhagen summit, trade, health policy and how their countries are handling the world economic downturn.

africagoodnews