G8 sets plans for Africa

2005-07-08 17:34

Gleneagles, Scotland - The Group of Eight adopted measures to combat African poverty and global warming at the end of a summit here on Friday that British Prime Minister Tony Blair described as a ringing affirmation of hope in the face terrorist savagery.

Speaking a day after bombings left London reeling in bloody chaos, Blair announced agreement on a package of aid for Africa and the Palestinian Authority that he said stood in stark contrast to the despair wrought by terrorism.

"We stand today in the shadow of terrorism. But it will not obscure what we came here to achieve.

"The purpose of terrorism is not only to kill and maim the innocent. It is to put despair and anger and hatred in people's hearts. It is by its savagery designed to cover all conventional politics in darkness."

Boost aid

As the summit ended an hour early to allow Blair to return to London to deal with the aftermath of Thursday's attacks, the leaders announced plans to boost aid to poor countries in Africa and elsewhere by $25bn (R170bn) a year by 2010.

They in addition agreed to cut farm subsidies - albeit by an unspecified date - and to provide aid worth three billion dollars to the Palestinian Authority.

Blair also said a conference would be held in Britain on November 1 to discuss steps to reduce global warming.

Terrorism shrouded the two days of formal talks here at Gleneagles golf resort in the verdant, unspoiled Scottish countryside that brought together the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States.

Atmosphere

"Gleneagles is from now on another summit," German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder remarked to reporters late on Thursday. "It's a different atmosphere."

A high-ranking European official added: "The summit has been totally overshadowed by the drama in London. All the debates were sidelined."

The summit also endorsed a proposal - already accepted by G8 finance ministers - to write off debt owed by certain poor countries to international institutions.

Terrorist attack

The leaders of the G8 also issued a declaration on Friday pledging greater cooperation to protect railways and subways from terrorist attack.

"We will work to improve the sharing of information on the movement of terrorists across international borders, to assess and address the threat to the transportation infrastructure and to promote best practices for rail and metro security," the declaration said in the wake of Thursday's deadly bombings in London. - AP

- AFP