Namibia's Tourist Hopes Over Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie Circus  4/28/06

Government officials in Namibia hope Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's visit to the African country will lead to an influx of tourists.

The superstar couple are currently holed up in a fortress of a compound in Namibia, while the press constantly speculates about whether seven-months pregnant Jolie will give birth there or not.

In a statement, Namibia's ambassador in the US, Hopelong Lipinge, says, "It would be an honor for Namibia to become the birthplace of the Pitts' first biological child.

"If Angelina Jolie gives birth in Namibia, she would have done for our tourism sector what our tourism board budget cannot do in a year.

"The publicity we are receiving is because of Angelina and Brad and not the paparazzi. The paparazzi will not come to Namibia on their own. They will only do so when following a celebrity.

"Angelina and Brad Pitt can boost tourism but the paparazzi cannot."