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Bush winding up tour in Liberia Bush winding up tour in Liberia
(9 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has arrived in Liberia, one of the US' staunchest allies in Africa, and the final stop on his tour of the continent. US President George W Bush has arrived in Liberia, one of the US' staunchest allies in Africa, and the final stop on his five-nation tour of the continent.
Mr Bush will meet Africa's first female president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, whom he has praised for leading Liberia's recovery from civil war.Mr Bush will meet Africa's first female president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, whom he has praised for leading Liberia's recovery from civil war.
The president will be received warmly in a state with close historical links to the US, correspondents say.The president will be received warmly in a state with close historical links to the US, correspondents say.
On Wednesday he denied he was planning a US military expansion in Africa.On Wednesday he denied he was planning a US military expansion in Africa.
The US intends to create a unified military command for the continent, but Mr Bush said the idea that he was currently visiting Africa looking for sites for US bases was "baloney".The US intends to create a unified military command for the continent, but Mr Bush said the idea that he was currently visiting Africa looking for sites for US bases was "baloney".
He was speaking in Ghana, having already visited Benin, Tanzania and Rwanda on his second presidential tour of Africa.He was speaking in Ghana, having already visited Benin, Tanzania and Rwanda on his second presidential tour of Africa.
He said the new command, Africom, would provide African states with military training and assistance so they could handle Africa's problems better.He said the new command, Africom, would provide African states with military training and assistance so they could handle Africa's problems better.
Unique friendshipUnique friendship
Liberia is the only country that has actually offered to host Africom.Liberia is the only country that has actually offered to host Africom.
Many African nations are wary of hosting a US military presence, which some critics claim is intended only to tighten America's grip on a vital future source of oil.Many African nations are wary of hosting a US military presence, which some critics claim is intended only to tighten America's grip on a vital future source of oil.
BBC correspondent Mark Doyle says Washington could do worse than opt for Liberia if it wants an African base.BBC correspondent Mark Doyle says Washington could do worse than opt for Liberia if it wants an African base.
Although its significance in strategic terms is negligible, its international airport has a runway capable of taking big transport planes and the main seaport, although in dire need of refurbishment, is also large by the standards of the region.Although its significance in strategic terms is negligible, its international airport has a runway capable of taking big transport planes and the main seaport, although in dire need of refurbishment, is also large by the standards of the region.
The countries also have a good relationship - Liberians like to think it is a unique one, our correspondent says.The countries also have a good relationship - Liberians like to think it is a unique one, our correspondent says.
Freed slaves from the American south began colonising the country in 1848 and they brought the habits and symbols of America with them.Freed slaves from the American south began colonising the country in 1848 and they brought the habits and symbols of America with them.
Mr Bush said the US did not want to add new bases in AfricaMr Bush said the US did not want to add new bases in Africa
Liberians still speak English with an American accent; they trade in Liberian dollars; and their national flag is a copy of the stars and stripes - although the Liberian version has just one star instead of 50.Liberians still speak English with an American accent; they trade in Liberian dollars; and their national flag is a copy of the stars and stripes - although the Liberian version has just one star instead of 50.
But Mr Bush's visit will be the first by an American president in 30 years, and some Liberians resent the fact that the US made no military intervention to end the country's 14-year civil war, which finally died out in 2003.But Mr Bush's visit will be the first by an American president in 30 years, and some Liberians resent the fact that the US made no military intervention to end the country's 14-year civil war, which finally died out in 2003.
On Wednesday in Ghana, Mr Bush announced a grant of $17m (£8.8m) to help the Ghanaian government in the fight against malaria, and a $350m (£180m) five-year plan to fight what he described as "neglected tropical diseases" such as hookworm or river blindness.On Wednesday in Ghana, Mr Bush announced a grant of $17m (£8.8m) to help the Ghanaian government in the fight against malaria, and a $350m (£180m) five-year plan to fight what he described as "neglected tropical diseases" such as hookworm or river blindness.
But he did not respond to a direct appeal by President John Kufuor to stop subsidising US cotton farmers - a policy which leaves cotton-producing West Africa unable to compete.But he did not respond to a direct appeal by President John Kufuor to stop subsidising US cotton farmers - a policy which leaves cotton-producing West Africa unable to compete.