Africa "Marshall Plan" to get little from Bush

Hmm, so I guess it's actually a Marshall Plan but without the money or reconstruction, so it's not really a Marshall Plan, is it? I'll be curious to hear what Bush proposes but for starters it's not a bad idea to make free trade a bit easier for Africa since it so often is blocked out of business due to import duties in the EU and US.

The Independent has a good article about just how unfair western policies are, with a particular focus on US cottom farmers who are living off of US taxpayer subsidies, raking in millions while African farmers get run out of business. (The "new Republicans" just can't get enough government welfare, can they?)

Maybe a more important target out to be blocking international weapons shipments to Africa which bleed government funds, continue wars and do nothing in the way of helping the countries move forward. Since that trade is so often dominated by France, US, China and other traditional weapons manufacturers I don't see much happening on that front. Imagine what could be done with all of that money currently being used for weapons in Africa, not to mention the peace and stability that it would bring.