Posted on 01/26/2005 10:30:20 AM PST by ejdrapes
DAVOS, Switzerland - French President Jacques Chirac called on the world's richest nations Wednesday to provide billions of dollars in aid for poor countries through new taxes and other measures that would help combat AIDS, poverty and natural disasters. He said the tsunami that struck Asian coastlines last month — possibly killing up to 300,000 people — should trigger not only aid to that region but a broader coordinated drive by developed nations to reach out to the Third World. "The world suffers chronically from what has been strikingly called the 'silent tsunamis.' Famine. Infectious diseases that decimate the life force of entire continents," Chirac said in a video message from Paris to the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. The annual meeting, in the Swiss ski resort of Davos, has taken on increased importance in recent years as globalization and common threats — from terrorism to increased vulnerability to natural disasters — have made the world's nations and governments more dependent on each other. Chirac alluded to such interdependence, saying that natural disasters, political unrest, uncontrolled migration and extremism are "breeding grounds for terrorism" — suggesting developed nations had a stake in resolving the problem. The French leader outlined a number of steps to raise billions of dollars through taxes on international financial transactions, plane tickets or fuel used by airliners and oceangoing vessels. He also proposed that countries with bank secrecy laws make a special contribution to Third World aid and that developed nations provide "coordinated tax incentives" to stimulate private donations. Chirac asked that the world's eight leading developed nations debate his plan at a G-8 summit in July in Scotland that will be hosted by British Prime Minister Tony Blair. He did not spell out an amount of money that would be generated, but gave several examples. A tax on international financial transactions — which the United States strongly opposes — would raise $10 billion a year, while a $1 tax on every plane ticket sold worldwide would raise "at least $3 billion" a year without causing the aviation industry much harm, Chirac said. Bad weather prevented Chirac from attending. Blair was to deliver an address later Wednesday at the gathering of the world's elite. Some 2,500 corporate, political and other leaders who spend five days debating an array of issues from AIDS to U.S. leadership, from Europe's anemic growth to China's phenomenal expansion. In over 200 workshops and debates, the Davos participants focus on "tough choices." One example is China, whose economic transformation is redrafting the world order and whose phenomenal growth has already triggered higher oil prices — which, in turn, sharpens the global climate change debate. China's growth will help spur "global demand for energy ... by 60 percent by 2030," said N.R. Narayana Murthy, chairman of Infosys Technologies of India. "There is no stopping this giant," said Takatoshi Ito of the University of Tokyo. China's economy grew at an annual rate of 9.5 percent in 2004, and many expect the 2005 figure to surpass that. He also said that China accounted for a staggering proportion of the world's consumption of some materials. "Last year, China consumed 25 to 30 percent of most major industrial materials, especially metals," said Stephen S. Roach, chief economist for Morgan Stanley USA. China was responsible for 43 percent of the world's consumption of concrete, he added. Conference attendees also focused on Europe's lackluster economic performance, the seemingly improved chances for peace in the Middle East, the future of U.S. global leadership, the fate of world trade talks, what to do with weapons of mass destruction and combatting poverty. "The three richest people in the world own more than the gross domestic product of 40 of the world's poorest nations," said Daniel Vasella, chief executive of Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis AG. Former Australian foreign minister Gareth Evans, who now heads the International Crisis Group, said 2005 was a pivotal year considering the pending world trade talks, a September summit of world leaders on global security issues and the need to meet U.N. development goals including halving global poverty by 2015. "If we don't understand the significance of 2005, we're just missing a really fundamental point," he said. "This is a make or break year." The administration of President Bush also has a crucial role, participants said. The United States "produces 30 percent of the world's goods and buys $600 billion in products from developing nations," said John A. Thain, chief executive of the New York Stock Exchange. "The U.S. leadership role in the global economy is an important one." Americans were also criticized, however, for borrowing a lot and saving little — suggesting excessive consumption. Stephen S. Roach, chief economist for Morgan Stanley USA, called U.S. consumers self-indulgent — terming them "an accident waiting to happen." Chirac Urges Taxes to Help World's Poor
So how does giving MORE aid on top of the billions already given help? It goes to these regimes, who don't distribute it to their people. More aid isn't the answer, all it dioes is make the corrupt fatter, and line the pockets of politicians like Chirac. The solution is to rid these places of these tyrants and their followers. Unfortunately, the UN does not have the will to do what's needed, nor does Chirac. In fact Chirac prevents food aid from getting to the area because of the EU protest against GM foods and seed from entering into their former french African colonies.
John, You may finally hit at the real problem.
Corrupt Governments are creating famine and lack of water.
Most countries already give a lot, only to see it being taken by those corrupt officials. It never gets to the people.( After all, the officials want to live too, don't they ?)
What you are seeing is that more and more western countries are seeing the corruption and don't want to throw away their own "resources" any more.
What do you propose,......... War?
Of course that would lead to massive demonstrations, we wouldn't want that either.
So, we just embrace the EU position: Debate until the problem goes away or takes care of itself. At least we are shown to be sympathetic.
No resources is the same as no clean water! water is a resource!!! I don't know how I could make it simpler.
I took your “no clean water” comment to mean that they had water, but that it was dirty. I asked what resources they lacked to clean their water, perhaps this was not clear.
In subsequent posts you also say that they have NO water: “Then you find the water....how? It has not rained for a year how do you know where any water is?”
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It always raises my interest when I hear that 300 million people, or a whole continent, can’t do something unless we give it to them.
There are only 300 million people in Africa are there? Since when?
I was speaking more generally here, sometimes we hear that Africa as a whole can’t do something; such as containing AIDS.
That’s why I said “300 million people, or a whole continent” not “Africa, a continent of 300 million people”. Again, perhaps this was not clear.
I believe that Africa has water enough to supply her people. It may have to be drilled for, or piped in from rivers and lakes, and it will have to be cleaned. These same things are done all over the world. I would be amazed if we do not already do a great deal to help these folks with their clean water.
There are many areas in the United States that are not inhabited because those areas are too hot, too cold, too dry, too high or too rugged, I suspect that is true of the African continent too.
Don't mistake the governments for the people who want to prosper but are stifled at every turn.
OK then we agree there is a problem and the Africans have saddled themselves with bad government. SO what do you want to do. Pass out billions to corrupt politicans that build villas int he south of France and pad Swiss bank accounts? Raise armies to turn out lousey backward governments?
How about this? The Russians had an irresponsible government that allowed a nuke accident at Chernobyl then tried to hide it. They lived in misery and poverty until they got sick of it and did something about it. Its the same deal in Africa. If Africans do something for themselves then I'm all for lending a helping hand but I'm dead set against handouts that are doomed for failure for the sake of being able to pat myself on the back for "caring".
And that's what this is about. Chirac is trying to show his credentials as a caring world leader and curry favor with the corrupt African leaders that'll pocket our tax es. Still the poor guy in the dirt that's never going to see any of that aid.
John, you said : "Americans get their water from rain".
Africans get their water from dirty rivers and streams. you made the distiction of how Americans collect their water.
It's not a word you wrote, it's what your written words suggests that leads people to think Americans collect rainwater on rainy days for drinking water.
He can pay for the world's poor all by himself.
I think you're my hero!
They may be lazy. They may be ignorant. They may be entrapped by a tribal social system that abhors getting ahead, innovation and progress. It ain't my problem.
They move.
Have you paid any attention at all to the oil for food scam?
Did you hear that the Bush (That meanie) administration gave 15 Billion toward Aids last year?
You say: We must punish governments that are corrupt and help those who are becoming democratic. That is the way forward.
How? Go to war?
I am not trying to be cynical, however, an answer to the problem isn't easy is it?
I am always amazed at people demonizing everything without offering a solution.
I guess it is true that it is easier to tear down than to build up?
What resources do they lack?
Clean water and good soil.
Rhodesia has both and still they have shit in the water and destroyed the soil. When parts of Africa were colonialized, abundance prevailed. When the tribes came back in possession, they failed.
I blame Africa's problems on British colonialism.
I see any good that Africa had or has as a product of colonialism.
Did you know that Maurice Strong, Koffi Annans most trusted advisor, father of the Koyoto accord, ding bat, nutcase rich oil tycoon, (Canadian) engineer of the UN and it's network of corrupt NGO'S, administrator of WDF world development fund, Owns a huge ranch in Arizona which sits on one of the largest water Aquifiers on the continent? It's where they hold their Gaia,the "living earth" god(ess)rituals, such as the 'earth Charter' being sealed into the "Ark" and taken to the UN building in NY. He, with the help of the UN are preventing Arixzona from tapping ito that aquifier.
Yes, the UN really sucks doesn't it?
One last question John, where did you get this 300 million Africans without clean water, figure?
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