President Bush and Malian President Toure met Tuesday at the White House to discuss efforts to combat terrorism, as well as the health threats AIDS and Malaria.
"The President and I spent a fair amount of time talking about the dangers of radicals and extremists associated with groups like al-Qaida," Bush said. "And we talked about the need for close cooperation to protect the innocent people from those who murder the innocent in order to achieve their dark political vision," he added. Toure underscored the fact that Mali is facing its own home front against terror because of radical Salafist activities in the Sahelian region of his country.
VOA reported that the United States is committed to boosting Mali's economy and reducing poverty through a five-year, more than $460 million compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation, an initiative created by President Bush designed to provide U.S. assistance for global development.
President Toure praised President Bush for "taking historic initiatives" towards the development of Africa and in establishing the Millennium Challenge Account to fight poverty in Africa, as well as AIDS and malaria.
To hear VOA's French to Africa interview with President Toure visit www.VOANews.com/french/ OR www.lavoixdelamerique.com and Bush, Malian President Toure Discuss Efforts to Combat Terrorism, AIDS for VOA’s English news report.
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