US embassy cable - 04ACCRA2410

C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 002410 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM AMBASSADOR MARY C. YATES TO A/S CONNIE NEWMAN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2014 
TAGS: GH, PREL 
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT KUFUOR REQUESTS POTUS MEETING 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Mary C. Yates for reasons 1.5 d and e. 
 
1.  (C) This message has two requests: 
 
A) A request from President Kufuor for a meeting with 
President Bush, and 
 
B) A request from me for a congratulatory phone call from 
President Bush or senior USG official to Kufuor on his 
reelection. 
 
2.  (C)  Ghanaian President John Kufuor specifically asked me 
December 3 about the possibility of being invited to meet 
with President Bush in Washington.  He was very optimistic 
about his election chances.  On numerous occasions he has 
closely identified himself, his party, and their elephant 
symbol with President Bush and the U.S. Republican party.  He 
did not elaborate on the substance or purpose of the proposed 
meeting. (Comment:  The recent White House visits of the two 
other significant West African presidents, Obasanjo and Wade, 
undoubtedly influenced this request.  End comment.) 
 
3.  (C)  I support such an invitation.  On December 10, the 
Electoral Commission declared President Kufuor the winner, 
with 52.75 percent of the popular vote (the opposition NDC 
party has not yet accepted the results).  Kufuor has 
encouraged strong relations with the United States.  As head 
of ECOWAS for the past two years (his term will expire in 
January 2005) and President of a rare peaceful, prosperous 
democracy in West Africa, he has played a constructive role 
in regional peace efforts. Ghana contributes heavily to 
international peacekeeping efforts, supports our 
counterterrorism agenda, and has cooperated in a growing 
military-military relationship. The recently completed 
national elections were a model for Africa -- generally 
peaceful, free and fair, with around 80 percent turnout, 
supported by a vibrant civil society.  I believe a meeting 
with President Bush would send a strong signal of support for 
democracy and peacebuidling in West Africa. 
 
4.  (C)  In addition to a POTUS meeting, given the impressive 
election process and our good relations with Ghana, I request 
that a senior USG official (President Bush, SecState, or NSC 
Advisor) call President Kufuor and congratulate him on his 
reelection. 
 
 
LANIER