Bush discusses African crises, praises Tanzania

By Tabassum Zakaria and Barry Moody

DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush discussed the bloody conflict in neighboring Kenya with Tanzania's leader on Sunday before showering him with praise and signing over a $700 million development grant.

Bush's talks with President Jakaya Kikwete, new chairman of the African Union, on the second day of his tour of the continent covered the trouble spots of Kenya, Darfur and Zimbabwe.

On Saturday, Bush threw his weight behind a power-sharing deal to end the Kenyan violence which has killed 1,000 people since a disputed presidential election in December. He is sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Nairobi on Monday to help mediation by former U.N. chief Kofi Annan.

In a news conference with Kikwete, Bush emphasized the United States wanted to help Annan and not dictate terms to end the Kenya crisis.

Bush said he and Rice had discussed with Kikwete "not what we should do to dictate the process but what America can do to help the process move along". But Washington has threatened sanctions against anyone blocking a power-sharing deal.

Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula warned outsiders on Sunday against trying to force a deal on his country.

"We encourage our friends to support us and not to make any mistake of putting a gun to anybody's head and saying 'either-or', because that cannot work," he said.

Rice does not expect to come away from Monday's meetings with a final deal, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters. She also said Rice would not be bringing any incentives to the table.

The government of President Mwai Kibaki has been wary of mediation and solutions imposed from outside. Analysts say government hardliners believe they have all the cards to sit tight and consolidate their hold on power.

Kenya's opposition says Kibaki's party stole the election.

MUTUAL ADMIRATION

Washington views Kikwete as a model progressive leader.

"You are a good man, Mr. President, and I am proud to call you friend," Bush told Kikwete, as screeching peacocks strutted on the lawn in front of Tanzania's white State House.

Kikwete said thousands of people in Tanzania were alive only because of Bush's programs to fight malaria and AIDS -- a major focus of his five-nation tour.

"You will be remembered for many generations to come for the good things you've done for Tanzania and the good things you have done for Africa," he told Bush.