I cannot sign up to Blair's African mission, says Bush

[emad]

June 03, 2005

I cannot sign up to Blair's African mission, says Bush
From Roland Watson in Washington



PRESIDENT BUSH has laid bare his opposition to the flagship initiative of Tony Blair’s term at the helm of the group of eight leading industrialised nations.

Mr Bush said he could not sign up to Mr Blair’s ambitious aim to double aid for Africa in the next decade. “It doesn’t fit our budgetary process,” Mr Bush said. But he promised to work constructively with Mr Blair on African aid when the G8 convenes in Gleneagles next month.

Washington has made clear to London over recent weeks that Mr Bush could not sign up to the figures being put forward by Mr Blair. But the President’s blunt response when asked if he was prepared to increase US aid to the levels on the G8 agenda cast a shadow over preparations for the gathering.

As host of this year’s G8, an annual economic summit involving the seven largest industrialised economies and Russia, Mr Blair has placed the plight of Africa at the top of his list of priorities. The aim is to meet the UN target that countries should spend 0.7 per cent of their national output on aid.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,174-1639179,00.html

BLAIR's messianic zeal for Africa: just attention diverting exercise away from continued UK outrage over Iraq.

[rurallib]

1. Not until I can figure out how my supporters can make money

off it. And for give the loans? Jesus, what are you guys commonist or diassemblers or sunpin'? How's anybody make money forgiving loans? Maybe we should send more aid to Saudi Arabia?

[AP]

11. they make money from a poor, powerless Africa.

Which is why Bush won't sign up.

[babylonsister]

2. Another opportunity for the blivet to make the US

look bad; can't pass them up, can he?
Well, standby. I imagine he'll feel the wrath of the British come the summit in Scotland and Live 8 in July!

[Jacobin]

3. "Course, now if'n ya wanna go INVADE one a them thar

African places, gimme a call. We might be able to squeeze sum mony outta the budjit fer that."

[paula777]

4. them africans don't have any texas gold so I'm not interested in helping

[one_true_leroy]

5. nigeria has alot of oil!

maybe we'll join up for that leg of the world tour.

[TexasLawyer]

14. West Africa has lots of oil

Gabon, Ivory Coast, etc... Nigeria is even a member of OPEC.

[FrenchieCat]

6. Africa?

Well, I'm sure that Bush can point to Condoleeza and feel that he's doing his share!

[Flying Dream Blues]

7. Evil...and stupid.

God knows compassion would not compel him to "sign up to" increasing aid to Africa, but you'd think he'd want to throw a bone to world opinion once in awhile, just to grease the wheels of the evil empire.

Like sending $100K to Tsunami relief or whatever (later increased, I realize)...while spending billions killing Iraqis.

[funflower]

8. He's doing Blair a huge favor w/ his party. Now maybe

they'll let him be PM for while.

[FrenchieCat]

9. Please see my thread on the Children of Darfur....

Another African issue that we choose to "use" when it suits us....but is otherwise widely ignored.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1826478

[sarcasmo]

10. Big Corporations will not profit from this so Cuckoo can not support

[Toots]

12. “It doesn’t fit our budgetary process,” How very Christian of him

:shrug:

[Roland99]

13. Gotta work on the PNAC plan to privatise all of the water and resources.

[applegrove]

15. Link to today's Darfur Daily News: June 03, 2005 thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3780933#