“I am pleased today to share my decision to establish within the Ministry of Defence a Unified Command of the Armed Forces for Africa. “This is how the American president decided on the creation of Africom in a statement released on February 6. He describes it as a way which will serve to strengthen cooperation with Africa on security and we will offer new ways to enhance the capabilities of our partners in Africa. We will intensify our efforts to bring peace and security to the peoples of Africa and promote our common goals of development, health, education, democracy and economic growth in Africa. “.

The bright prospects as identified by the American president have, for now, not been sufficient to convince African heads of state on a possible acceptance of hosting the headquarters of the Africa Command (Africom).

The decisions of rejection and distrust have not been waiting on the African continent. It was at the northern continent, the Maghreb, an area that is currently most affected by terrorist movements, that the project will create the initial reluctance. The decision of the Libyan President, Moammar Gaddafi, has not surprised many people, particularly because of cold that freezes always US-Libyan relations since decades now, despite some attempts at rapprochement have been noted recently.

The Algerian president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, also declined the U.S. offer. This declination is the result, according to him, a lack of information about the very existence of the American project. Also, the Algerian authorities accuse have not been made aware in time, which gives them a reason to deny the choice of Algiers as the seat of Africom. And even if it was informed in time, it is not certain that President Bouteflika is favourable to the proposal because as he said in an interview with the Spanish newspaper ABC: “we are not qualified to decide the place of Africa “.

This refusal may be regarded as major reasons for political strategy. Indeed, Algeria, refused this offer, seems to reiterate its desire to assert itself facing the major powers. Recall that recently, President Bouteflika made a serious criticism against French authorities he accuses of suffering from “mental blindness”.

At the strategic level, the presence of the GSPC (Salafiste Group for Preaching and Combat), which has become since January 2007 Al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb (AQMI), does not facilitate the choice of Algiers as the seat of command. The acceptance of this proposal could aggravate the already worrying situation in Algeria.

Morocco, considered the country closest to Washington, also remains opposed to this idea. The Egypt has not been asked because it is already part of the command centre of the central USA.

The disappointment of emissaries from Washington may not last. After this failure in the Maghreb, is still exploring the Sub-Saharan Africa. And it is highly probable that this proposal is acquirer in this part of the continent if we consider the weight of Washington’s decisions on many of its African allies. But for the moment, most remain cautious and we wonder what good are the tools of pressure that Washington has in its armada in the event of widespread refusal. But the probability is very low and we can expect a transfer of command, currently in Stuttgart, Germany, to the tropics by the beginning of operations that are scheduled for September 2008.

According to some sources close to Washington, the runway of the decentralization of command of Africom would be under consideration. But this might not always ensure a favourable reception to the project if the provisions are not taken to allay fears of terrorist attacks and political interference which, presumably, justifying (or motivate) most of refusal.

America, like many countries have experienced a wave of high crimes. From suicide bombers to war on the horizon that may include several nations, our world is in turmoil. The beltway sniper had the east coast in a daze for several weeks. When the culprits were apprehended America breathed a sigh of relief. The disappearance of the Sanders sisters had people on edge until they were discovered in a pond near their home. Yet, during their double funeral, witnessing their parents give praise to God brought feelings of joy to those in attendance.

Two young boys were convicted of killing their father, while a mother and father were charged in the death of their children who died from a fire in their home. The Catholic church continues to experience embarrassments in the highest order as a result of sexual crimes committed by church officials.

United Nations weapons inspectors have been deployed to search Saddam Hussein’s compounds for chemical weapons violations which could lead to a major war all around the world. Every time the news comes on television it consists of seemingly nothing but bad news. I remember a song from a Broadway play whose lyrics included, “don’t nobody bring me no bad new.” Every now and again you do not want to hear anything bad. Yet, with all of the things happening in our world it makes you wonder whether we are in our last days.

The rate of unemployment continues to rise and with corporate America involved in so many scandals, relief does not seem to be in sight. The rate of homelessness is still a disgrace in America – a place that is deemed one of the richest countries in the world. The education system continues to be in need of a major overhaul. Teacher pay remains a sin and a disgrace, especially when teachers are some of the most important people in the growth and development of productive citizens in society.

The jail population continues to escalate while historically black colleges and universities face challenges like never before. While it cost taxpayers approximately $30,000.00 per year to incarcerate a young person convicted of a crime, it cost less to educate them in some four year liberal arts colleges and universities.

Nonetheless, the list of woes could be cited until Thanksgiving 2003, however, there is still more to be thankful for than we can possibly imagine. For instance, waking up in the mornings in your right mind. A warm place to lay your head at night. Loving families who show agape love in spite of your shortcomings. Unselfish care givers in an uncaring world. We should be thankful for the briefest moments of peace, joy and happiness.

As you gather during this holiday season, particularly Thanksgiving, for a brief moment forget about all of life’s un-pleasantries and realize that giving thanks is always politically correct in such an un-politically correct society, and that’s a point of view. Happy Thanksgiving.

Point of view is a weekly column. Dr. Holness is a human rights activist and AME Pastor. Please send comments to P. O. Box 8836 Columbia, SC 29203 or e-mail: EGailAndersonHolness@msn.com.