 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Blair And Bush Close On Deal To Eliminate Developing World Debt
Washington (AFP) Jun 08, 2005 US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Tuesday they were close to completing a proposal for other rich nations to eliminate 100 percent of debt for the world's poorest countries. Bush also announced after a summit with his close ally that the United States would give an extra 674 million dollars to humanitarian relief efforts in Africa. At the end of a lightning visit to Washington by Blair to discuss next month's Group of Eight summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, the pair were positive about moves to help nations, especially in Africa, escape poverty. During the White House discussions, Bush and Blair "agreed that highly-indebted developing countries that are on the path to reform should not be burdened by mountains of debt," the US leader told a joint press conference. "Our countries are developing a proposal for the G8 that will eliminate 100 percent of that debt," he said, adding that any deal would "preserve the financial integrity of the World Bank and the African Development Bank". Blair, who has pledged to make Africa and climate change the twin focuses of the G8 meeting he is hosting from July 6-8, also expressed confidence. "I am hopeful, after the discussions we have had, that we will get there," Blair said of the debt agreement. Bush confirmed a White House announcement that the United States would offer another 674 million dollars for humanitarian aid in Africa. The US administration has already alloted 1.4 billion dollars to Africa this year. "America will continue to lead the world to meet our duty in helping the world's most vulnerable people," Bush said. Both leaders emphasised that any international moves to boost aid or provide debt relief must be backed by initiatives in Africa to improve governance, reduce corruption and properly target the extra money. "I see we have got a fantastic opportunity, assuming the countries in Africa make the right decisions," Bush said. Blair said the debt plan in particular was "not a something-for-nothing deal". However, for all the warm words between the close allies, and the expressions of intent, there was no new concrete measure on how to tackle African poverty beyond the additional US cash. There was even less to show on tackling climate change, Blair's other stated ambition for the Gleneagles summit. "I believe that not only can we solve greenhouse gases, I believe we will," Bush told the press conference, referring to the polluting gases blamed for global warming. However, he offered no new commitments, merely reiterating the United States's belief the issue could be tackled through new energy technologies exported around the world. Ahead of Blair's trip - he was to fly home on Tuesday evening - pundits saw it as a chance by the British leader to cash in some of the political capital he accrued in Washington for backing the US-led war in Iraq. Blair was returned for a third straight term in power a month ago, but the election saw his parliamentary majority slashed, something many pundits put down to the effect of Iraq. Both leaders were again closely questioned about Iraq at the press conference. But it was always unclear what concessions on Africa and climate change Bush might be willing to offer, even to such a close ally. The United States has refused to back a British proposal to raise aid money on the international financial markets. Officials in Blair's delegation, however, were keen to point out that the talks with Bush were part of a long process towards the Gleneagles summit, and much more should be achieved. Speaking before the talks with Bush, Blair expressed confidence that a target of an extra 25 billion dollars in global aid for Africa, set this year by the Blair-headed Commission for Africa, would be realised by the time of the G8 gathering. "And my aim before the Gleneagles summit is that we end up with the increase in aid that the Commission for Africa report indicated, which is an extra 25 billion (dollars)," Blair said. All rights reserved. � 2005 Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Dirt, rocks and all the stuff we stand on firmly
China, Russia Issue Joint Statement On New World Order
Moscow (XNA) Jul 03, 2005China and Russia issued a joint statement here, last Friday, on a new 21st century world order, setting forth their common stand on major international issues, such as UN reforms, globalization, Korean North-South cooperation, and world economy and trade. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
