Biden, Kenya defend plans for Haiti
State dinner cements countries’ partnership
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden pushed off criticism Thursday that he was dragging in Kenya to take on the Haitian gang crisis.
In a “very volatile” area of the Caribbean, the U.S. does not want to come off as heavy-handed, Biden said at a news conference alongside Kenya’s president after a journalist accused him of “committing” the African nation to a foreign conflict.
Plans have been in the works since October for Kenya to lead a U.N.-backed, multinational police force to fight powerful gangs who control large parts of Haiti’s capital and the surrounding region.
The Biden administration has said it will not send U.S. troops to help Haitian authorities tackle the deepening crisis.
“There’s a lot going on in this hemisphere, and we’re in a situation where we want to do all we can without us looking like America once again is stepping over, deciding this is what must be done,” Biden said. “Haitians are looking for help as well as the folks in the Caribbean are looking for help. And so, we checked out with a number of other countries.”
Kenya answered the call, Biden indicated. After clearing a series of hurdles, Kenya said it would send 1,000 police officers. They still have not arrived.
He appeared to mistakenly refer to Kenya as Haiti as he told a journalist, “We committed to provide the wherewithal, the intelligence and equipment and the like to Haiti,” he said.
Kenyan President William Ruto said at the news conference that his country was leading the mission, which has significant financial backing from the U.S., through its own structure and with the support of its parliament.
“The U.S. cannot commit Kenya,” Ruto said. “I am the president of Kenya.”
Kenya has been involved in peacekeeping over the last 40 years in 47 countries, including “very difficult neighborhoods” like what its police will experience in Haiti, he said at another point.
Kenya believes “that the responsibility of peace and security anywhere in the world, including in Haiti, is the collective responsibility of all nations and all peoples” who believe in freedom, democracy and justice, Ruto said.
The visiting leader thanked the U.S. for stepping in with humanitarian support.
Biden’s approach to Haiti was under a microscope this week. Ahead of the Kenyan leader’s visit, Republicans opposed to the intervention chastised the Biden administration in a letter. And at a hearing this week, the top Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee confronted Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the topic.
Blinken said Tuesday he understands “some of the skepticism that exists about another mission in Haiti.” But, he warned, “Haiti is on the precipice of becoming an all-out failed state.”
Soft, candlelit diplomacy
After the business, the celebration. Gussied up in gowns and sharp suits, guests stepped onto the red carpet as their arrivals were announced at Washington’s most lavish affair: a White House state dinner.
State dinners are seen as a tool of soft diplomacy, used to court leaders of countries with whom a strong partnership is sought. Biden announced Thursday that he would work with Congress to designate Kenya as a major “nonNATO ally.” The designation is granted by the U.S. to countries with close and strategic working relationships with the U.S. military and defense civilians.
Ruto’s trip was the first state visit by a Kenyan president to the United States in two decades and the first by an African leader since 2008.
“We share a strong respect for the history that connects us together,” said Biden as he toasted the Rutos and their daughters. He then quoted former President Jimmy Carter, who in 1980 hosted Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi: “Neighbors do not share a border but share beliefs.”
Thursday’s state dinner had about 500 attendees and was the sixth hosted by Biden.
Former President Barack Obama, whose father was Kenyan, made a cameo appearance at the event. His name had not been circulated earlier in the list of attendees. The former president did not stay for dinner.
Among other guests: former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and actor Sean Penn. There were members of Congress and the Biden administration as well as business leaders such as Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer.
In a nod to “unity and friendship” between the two countries, the décor featured American red roses and vibrant fuchsia and purple African orchids. Glowing candles along the walls of the glass pavilion made for a cozy ambiance while a suspended centerpiece with 15,000 pieces of layered reflective metallic strips sparkled with gold and silver hues.
The three-course meal started with chilled heirloom tomato soup followed by short ribs and butter-poached lobster with baby kale and sweet corn puree. For dessert, guests were treated to a white chocolate basket with banana ganache and raspberries, peaches and candied lime zest.
Guests enjoyed music by the Howard Gospel Choir, country music artist Brad Paisley – Ruto is a fan – “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Chamber Orchestra and the Army and Air Force string orchestras.
As the official gift, the Bidens presented the Rutos with a set of rocking chairs that were produced by a familyowned company in Troutman, North Carolina. The wooden chairs have cane seats, steam-bent back posts and personalized inscriptions commemorating the state visit on the armrests.
President Biden also gifted President Ruto with the first edition of the book “The Trumpet of Conscience” by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in a custom leather clamshell case with a handtooled inscription commemorating the state visit. The first lady presented Rachel Ruto with a custom pearl and Arizona peridot gemstone necklace that was crafted by a jeweler in Philadelphia.
USA TODAY