2004-2005 Archived Historical Events
Senator Chuck Hagel Visits Cameroon on Five-Nation Fact Finding Tour
August 25, 2004
Senator Hagel arrived in Yaounde, Cameroon on August 25th, on a tour that takes him to five countries in the Gulf of Guinea region. He is accompanied on this regional visit by General Charles Wald, the Deputy Commander of the US European Command. They were warmly received at the Nsimalen Airport, and quickly moved on to a series of meetings and a reception at the Hilton Hotel. One group that they met with is the Cameroon Community Chapter of the Africa Center for Strategic Studies. Senator Hagel spoke to all of the members about the need to maintain security within the region, and applauded the efforts of Cameroon and Nigeria to peacefully resolve the Bakassi border dispute. The Senator also had the opportunity to meet with a number of Cameroonian government officials, as well as the Ambassadors from Russia, Japan, Germany and Italy.
On Thursday, August 26th, Senator Hagel met with the Prime Minister, and other Cameroonian officials to further cement the strong ties binding the US and Cameroon, and to explore other areas of future cooperation. All of the meetings were opportunities for the officials to become acquainted while discussing issues of mutual importance. Following the meetings, Senator Hagel and General Wald gave a brief press conference outside the Prime Minister's office, before departing for the airport.
Senator Hagel's public statement to the press:
"I am extremely grateful to be here today and to have this opportunity to meet with you in person. I am on a five-nation tour through the Gulf of Guinea region and it is a great pleasure for me to be in Cameroon. I am deeply honored to have this visit with Prime Minister Musonge, as well as meetings with the Minister of Finance, Meva'a M'Eboutou; the Minister of Defense, Laurent Esso; and the Minister of Mines, Water and Energy, Kibuh Tume Henry. The main goal of the trip is for me to get a better understanding of the region in general, and Cameroon in particular. Our two countries have a very good relationship with many areas of cooperation. This is a longstanding partnership, and I would like to see this partnership expand into even more areas of mutual interest. My visit this time is a short one, but I look forward to returning to Cameroon in the future.
Thank you."