"The difference that we see in the state, local and federal response from what we saw in Katrina is developing that partnership, developing the communication, that unified command system we did not have, " Paulison said.

CNN: President tours Tennessee storm area

But the Nepad formula of partnership with developing countries, stress on good governance and human rights and encouragement of foreign investment was adopted by the continent's heads of state at the inaugural meeting of the African Union in Durban in July.

BBC: Namibia

All this was to be brought about in a spirit of partnership with other developing countries.

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