Washington, February 14, SPA -- US President George W Bush Thursday said Africa is "vital" to US strategic interests as he prepared to depart on asix-day, five-country trip to the continent. But a last minute domestic political crisis over Congressionalrenewal of a terrorism surveillance measure that expires on Saturdaycould delay the journey, Bush said just hours after mapping out USeconomic and political policies for Africa. Bush was to visit Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberiastarting Saturday, and he vowed to make stops in all five countriesdespite a potential delay. He also announced he would send Secretary of State CondoleezzaRice, to Kenya to help mediate the explosive political situation,where post-election violence has threatened the stability andeconomic well-being of a country that has been a shining light ofdevelopment and democratic progress in East Africa.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/527078