Time for US to be daring over Africa, says Brown (London)

[baby_bear]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1640243,00.html

June 04, 2005

Time for US to be daring over Africa, says Brown

<snip>
GORDON Brown dared President Bush yesterday to commit the US to a giant leap in aid and debt relief for Africa before crunch talks next week. The Chancellor raised the stakes for Tony Blair’s make-or-break meeting with Mr Bush on his ambitious plans to help poor nations and combat climate change during Britain’s presidency of the G8.

Mr Brown, speaking with the full knowledge of Number 10 as Mr Blair prepared to fly to Washington, said: “This is not a time for timidity, nor a time to fear reaching new heights.”

The Chancellor spoke out after waiving the £500,000 VAT bill for the Live 8 concerts timed to raise awareness of Africa’s plight before the G8 summit in Gleneagles next month. Mr Brown also seemed to support Bob Geldof’s controversial call for a million people to march on Edinburgh to protest about world poverty.
...Although he did not directly refer to Washington, Mr Brown used a news conference in Edinburgh to increase the moral pressure on the US by placing himself firmly on the side of those planning to march to Scotland. He said: “This is is our chance to reverse the fortunes of a continent and to help to transform the lives of millions. There is a desire that public generosity be given enduring purpose in a new relationship between rich and poor countries.

</snip>

The protest march, now supported by Edinburgh police, is to be on July 6. See http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5039649.html
<snip>
POLICE did a U-turn today in their opposition to the massive G8 protest in Edinburgh - after Chancellor Gordon Brown backed the rally.
</snip>

b_b

[deminks]

1. Gordon Brown stretching his wings

I love this:

GORDON Brown dared President Bush yesterday to commit the US to a giant leap in aid and debt relief for Africa before crunch talks next week.

(emphasis mine)
Too bad any aid we give has to be tied to what smirky wants in return.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

2. Gordon Brown is expressing his progressive credentials

Regime-change in the United Kingdom may come sooner than once thought.

[SoCalDem]

3. George Bush doesn't care about Africa..He will not accept the dare

He might talk about it alongside the requisite number of dark faces, but he will not ask congress for the money.

To neo-cons, a depopulated Africa is the ultimate goal. They would prefer that disease ravages the population, so that there will be few capable of defending the takeover of that continent's vast resources..