(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-02-17 17:24

DAR ES SALAAM - President George W. Bush on Sunday met Tanzania's leader to discuss Africa's political crises before signing a nearly $700-million grant to help stimulate economic growth in the east African nation.

US President George W. Bush (L) shakes hands with Tanzania's President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete after signing the Millennium Challenge Compact at the State House in Dar es Salaam February 17, 2008. [Agencies]

On the second stop of a five-nation trip where he has received a warm welcome in one of the few regions he can claim foreign policy success, Bush will spend the day discussing projects to fight AIDS and malaria but will also address the growing terrorist threat in the region.

Bush, on his second Africa trip since he became president in 2001, was greeted at the State House with ceremonial drums and shook hands with Jakaya Kikwete before starting formal meetings.

To highlight the successes of Tanzania, Bush and Kikwete will sign a $698-million Millennium Challenge Corp Compact, which provides funding to countries that adhere to democratic principles and sound economic policies.

The grant will help Tanzania improve infrastructure like roads to connect communities with markets, schools and health clinics. The program will also help improve reliability and quality of electric power and potable water.

In his meetings with Kikwete, who is also the new chairman of the African Union, Bush was expected to discuss the post-election crisis in neighboring Kenya, Chad -- which repelled a rebel assault two weeks ago -- and Zimbabwe.

During a three-hour stop on Saturday in Benin, Bush threw his weight behind a power-sharing deal in Kenya to end violence since the disputed re-election of President Mwai Kibaki in December that has killed 1,000 people.

He will send Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Kenya on Monday to add momentum to mediation by former UN chief Kofi Annan.

Although Bush will not visit Kenya himself, he tried on Saturday to ratchet up the pressure on government and opposition to reach a deal to end the worst crisis since independence.

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