Posted on 06/30/2005 5:56:00 PM PDT by traumer
President George W Bush has proposed doubling US aid to Africa over the next five years. He said this would happen if African leaders made a commitment to honest government and the rule of law.
Outlining his priorities for the G8 summit next week, Mr Bush said the West now had an extraordinary opportunity to help end extreme poverty in Africa. But on the other main issue facing the summit - climate change - he gave no indication of a compromise.
The president criticised those who opposed energy development and wanted to place restrictions upon it.
"About two billion people have no access to any form of modern energy," he said. "Blocking that access would condemn them to permanent poverty."
Agents of reform
Mr Bush said the US would double assistance to the region by 2010, but stressed trade and good government were as important as financial aid.
WHAT IS THE G8? Name Group of eight major industrialised states, inc Russia Members Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, UK, US Aims Originally set up to discuss trade and economic issues Now leaders discuss global issues of the day 2005 Summit agenda Africa Climate change
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He said the "primary focus" would be on "reforming countries".
African leaders, he said, must be the "agents of reform" rather than "passive recipients of money". The announcement is in addition to $674m (£350m) in aid for Africa promised by Mr Bush in a summit with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair earlier this month, at which the writing off of debts owed by some of the poorest countries was agreed.
US government development aid is lower than most Western countries when measured in terms of gross national product, but its non-governmental donations are much higher. In his speech, Mr Bush said there had to be a new approach to dealing with the debt burden of the poorest countries.
He said there must be an emphasis on encouraging trade, which he called the "engine for development". The dismantling of trade barriers and wider opening up of Western markets to African products has been a key demand of anti-poverty campaigners.
'Real momentum'
South African presidential spokesman Bheki Khumalo told the BBC he was "very pleased" with Mr Bush's announcement on aid.
This is a very modest step forward that is being spun as a colossal leap Patrick Watt ActionAid
It was, he said "a step in the direction we want. It is now incumbent upon Africans themselves to improve on all aspects of governance". Mr Blair's office said Mr Bush's pledge "creates real momentum for a successful outcome at Gleneagles," the Scottish venue for the G8 summit of the world's richest nations.
But the anti-poverty charity ActionAid said Mr Bush did not go far enough. "This is a very modest step forward that is being spun as a colossal leap," said spokesman Patrick Watt.
It is also thought critics will look carefully at how the figures in the speech translate, as money pledged is not necessarily the same as the sums the US Congress will approve.
Hasn't the issue of foreign aid gone completely out of control? According to our Congress and the President, we can barely afford more border protection for the security of our country, and all the OTHER SCADS OF ISSUES around the border issue, but we can give away alot of money to the rest of the world. And go DEEEEEEPPPER in debt.
Excuse me, but am I the ONLY ONE who is upset by this? How much of our tax money is President Bush going to give away to foreign countries? I had better not say what I would like to.
I don't recall this aid to Africa as being one of the ways in which I want the Feds to spend my tax $.
In fact, since the IRS is ILLEGAL, why is anyone paying taxes?
Three for three so far.
WAKE UP, Mr. PRESIDENT.
"Democrats and liberals immediately denounced the President's proposal, saying that it's 'not enough' and that the President is only doing it to deflect criticism that his administration is 'unilateral and cowboyish.' So the President has proposed a counter-offer of $1 trillion."
I am sick and tired of how little respect our President has for our money.
I am sick and tired of how little respect our President has for our money.
You can dump as much money into the continent of Africa as you want but in 20 years things will still be the same. AIDS and violence are both cultural and behavioral problems that no amount of money can cure. Bleeding heart liberals live in a dream world and Bush is taking the bait by going along with them.
That is the safest money in our treasury.
I like Bush but I must agree with you.
Don't be upset. He is a "compassionate conservative". We don't need the money here.
I figure we ought to give them nothing and keep them around as a good example of a bad example.
Bush loves spending my money. Who else would he like to give my money to?
One day he is supporting muslim terrorists in Iraq, the next he is helping out African warlords, the guy knows how to spend!
Make that 4 for 4 this is nuts? If Mugabe wants more money let him write a check to his Swiss bank account.
NO MORE MONEY FOR AFRICA'S THIEVES TO STEAL BEFORE THE ONES THAT NEED IT GET IT. NOT A STINKING DIME.
I agree too.Just like pouring it down a rat hole.
Just another BIG BIG waste of my tax paying money.
WTF its only money...lets just print some more.
I would like for President Bush, or anyone for that matter, to show me the article and section in the U.S. Constitution that authorizes the President OR the Congress to appropriate money from the public treasury (which was confiscated from the citizen in the first place) to give away to a foreign nation.
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