WASHINGTON, July 28, SPA-- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton plans to travel to Africa next week on aseven-nation tour. Clinton is to begin her trip on Aug. 5 in Kenya, the StateDepartment said Monday. She also plans to meet in Nairobi with Sheikh Sharif Amed,the President of Somalia's transitional government, StateDepartment spokesman Ian Kelly said. After Kenya, Clinton will travel to South Africa, Angola,the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Liberia andCape Verde. «In each nation, she will emphasize Africa as a place ofopportunity, built on an ethic of responsibility,» Kellysaid. «She will underline America's commitment to partnerwith governments, the private sector, non-governmentalorganizations and private citizens to build societies whereeach individual can realize their potential.» «Africa no longer sits on the margins of U.S. diplomacyand international trade,» Kelly said. «The continent is asource of creativity, dynamic development, and thesecretary will call for even stronger links with globalmarkets and knowledge networks.»--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/688217