KIGALI - Members of the US President’s guard unit, commonly known as the Secret Service, are in town ahead of the visit by US President George Bush due mid month.

The security specialists together with other US government officials estimated in hundreds flew in over the past days for preliminary preparations ahead of Bush’s visit.
Bush and his wife Laura Bush are scheduled to visit five African countries from February 15-21.

The American President, serving his last year in office, will be on a working tour to assess the progress of his initiatives in different areas notably HIV/Aids, anti-malaria campaign, and economic development.

The Director of Cabinet Maj. Gen. Frank Mugambage confirmed the Americans’ presence in Kigali City.

"We have been working together with American officials for some time in preparation of President Bush’s visit. "Both the government and the US Embassy in Rwanda are engaged in that process,” Mugambage said.

He however declined to give details. Rwandan State Minister for Cooperation said that most of the officials in major Kigali hotels are members of Bush’s advance party.

"They are in town to prepare the visit of the US President,” Rosemary Museminari said. She also said that Bush will arrive in Rwanda on Feb. 19 and that he will not spend a night in the country.

President Bush is also scheduled to meet with his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame and several other Rwandan government officials.

According to The White House, Bush will discuss among others the US continued partnership with African countries to support democratic reforms, respect for human rights, free trade, open investment regimes, and economic opportunity across the continent.
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