US Holding up Debt Relieft to Poorest Countries

BBC News

Gordon Brown is worried that time is running out for Africa
The UK Chancellor Gordon Brown has put forward a bold plan to tackle poverty in Africa ahead of the G8 Summit of rich countries in Scotland next month. He called for a doubling of European aid by 2010 and 100% debt relief, as well as an end to many trade subsidies.

But the plan is facing opposition in the US - and particularly from President George W Bush. Mr Bush's stance sets up a possible clash with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, due in Washington next week. Mr Bush said on Wednesday that a key part of the plan did not fit with the US budget process....


Too bad Bush gave away the store to the rich by way of tax cuts and an impossible war, so now we can't join with the world and take a historic step to end global poverty. We should be proud of our President's "compassion" and "culture of life."