From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Sat Aug 29 2009 - 11:20:55 EDT
Assignment
20/08/2009
Listen (Duration: 25 minutes)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p003yd2r
Djibouti plays a key role in America's fight against terrorism in
Africa. It is home to Camp Lemonier, a military base for 2,000 US
personnel. The camp, which is rapidly expanding, was reported to have
been used by the Bush administration to interrogate suspects and to
launch air strikes on Islamist militants in nearby Somalia. It has
become a little slice of America in the Horn Of Africa.
But the growing US presence in this Muslim state has caused unease among
locals, some of whom say the Americans have insufficient concern for
their human rights. What are the economic and political benefits to
Djibouti of being closely allied to the United States? Also, how does
this sit alongside the developing influence of Iran in this tiny,
strategically placed country at the entrance to the Red Sea?
For Assignment Fran Abrams is given rare access to the US base in
Djibouti questioning military chiefs, local leaders and ordinary
Djiboutians as she explores the role and impact of America's African
outpost.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p003yd2r
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/i/512xn/412903fc17fd03e138fe5f10719f010
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