Mr. Obama and his circle divide the economy into separate parts.

WSJ: Henninger: The Obamaian Universe

His remarks illustrate the vicious circle that the U.S. economy is in.

FORBES: The Fed's Other Inflation Problem

He argued that having a growth plan would help get the economy moving again and "stop the vicious circle on the deficit" but said it wouldn't "secure our economic future" on its own and tough decisions would still be needed on tax and spending.

BBC: Labour conference: Balls unveils five-point growth plan

But Victor Mpoyo, the minister of the economy and a member of Mr Kabila's inner circle, wanted to reopen the contract, claiming that Mr Boulle had only a letter of intent.

ECONOMIST: Mining in Congo

The path towards that awareness begins, again, with the virtuous circle that America has been enjoying during the past year: the way in which a strong economy has been further stimulated by share-price rises, through both consumption and capital investment, while a strong dollar (partly a result of foreign buying of American equities) has helped to curb inflation.

ECONOMIST: Grin and bear it | The