There is a "powerful consensus" among the majority of the world's "heavyweight donors" to double the amount of development aid being directed to Africa, but the fact that the United States is reluctant to double its aid to the region likely will be highlighted Tuesday when British Prime Minister Tony Blair meets with President Bush in Washington, D.C., the New York Times reports. Blair is expected to ask Bush to agree to a proposed "Marshall Plan" for Africa already endorsed by the leaders of other wealthy nations, including members of the European Union and Japan. These donors favor a "quick and bold surge" in aid that officials say will help Africa join the global economy, a view supported by the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Blair's Commission for Africa and a panel appointed by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. However, the United States advocates a more gradual increase in spending because it says poorer nations with "weak institutions" will not be able to use the funding "wisely," the Times reports (Dugger, New York Times, 6/5).
From Kaiser Network.org
UPDATE: The New York Times has an op-ed piece on the subject this morning.
Just Do Something
President Bush could go a long way toward re-establishing America as the moral leader by supporting Britain in its efforts to attack poverty in Africa.
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