US Trying to Sell Africa on Military Base

Henry is on a six-country African tour to convince governments on the continent that there is nothing sinister about the proposed US Africa Command, or Africom as it would be known.

"It would not be focused on fighting wars; it will be helping countries on the African continent building the capabilities of their militaries," Henry said at a closed briefing for some South African reporters.

He said there were some concerns among African leaders, but these were mostly based on misconceptions. "Once we cleared the misconceptions, the attitudes were generally positive."

In February, US President George Bush approved a Pentagon plan for a command centre for Africa to oversee US military activities on the continent.

African ambassadors have already been briefed about the plan in Washington. Henry and a team of US defence officials are now visiting key African states -- including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana and Senegal -- to "sell" the plan. Further visits are planned for later in the year.

In Pretoria, Henry met Defence Secretary January Masilela, senior South African National Defence Force officers and Department of Foreign Affairs officials. He emphasised that Africom, unlike other US Commands, will not focus on military matters only.

"Security is a much broader discussion now than just military activity," he said.