Tuesday, June 04, 2002

From Africa With Sympathy for 9/11

(This story was noted in The Best of the Web on Monday)

ENOOSAEN, Kenya -- In this remote corner of Africa, news about the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and the Pentagon traveled slowly to the red-robed Masai people who live here.

And now, people in this tiny village have responded with an outpouring of support to show the deep sorrow they felt for the United States and victims of the attacks.

They decided to give their most prized possessions, what Masai regard as the highest expression of sympathy: cattle.

On Sunday, the Masai in this southwestern Kenya community conducted a ceremony to express their condolences.

"They say Americans are wealthy, and indeed we are in many ways," said acting U.S. Ambassador to Kenya William Brencick, who gratefully accepted the cattle. "But when we count the value of these cows and ... add the value of the great spirits that gave them, we can say without doubt that you seem richer still."

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