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Washington (pte023/08.06.2005/11:05) - In pre-G8 summit talks in Washington, Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Bush are close to agreeing on a proposal to wipe out the debt of the 32 nations of Africa. The countries must, however, actively fight corruption and begin planning economic reforms.
The proposal will be presented at the meeting of world leaders at Gleneagles in Scotland http://www.g8.gov.uk/ .
The United States has promised US$674 million in aid for Africa, which is less than Prime Minister Blair had hoped for. Blair is hoping to raise an additional $25 billion with participation from other wealthy countries. Aid groups have commented that the financial aid proposed by both United Kingdom and the United States is a 'drop in the ocean'.
President Bush expressed some scepticism about rampant corruption in Africa, saying, "Nobody wants to give money to a country that is corrupt, where leaders take money and put it in their pocket." But the prime minister commented that: "It's our duty to act, and we will."
President Bush said that the US had tripled its financial commitment to Africa since his first term at the White House. Africa was "a central commitment of my presidency," he said. "We're committed to doing more in the future."
Ethiopia and Eritrea will receive $414 million for immediate aid in fighting famine, but the US has not agreed to give the amount recommended by the United Nations - 0.7 per cent of it national income - in international aid.
Oxfam, the UK aid agency, commented that Mr Blair "must not cave in to US pressure and water down proposals on aid, trade and debt... To lower the ambition at this critical stage, would be seen by many as a betrayal of Africa".
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