Good news for Africa?

Tony and George say they are close to striking a deal on 100% debt cancellation for African countries. On the face of it, that's brilliant.

But that's not the whole issue. There are caveats and conditions that the US are determined to attach to any debt cancellation. It was being reported that the US were happy to cancel 100% of the debt, as long as this was taken into account with a reduction in aid being given after the cancellation. (which, surely, kind of ignores the entire point of cancelling the debt...), and last night, in their press conference President Bush mentioned that they were reluctant to make a commitment to increase their aid payments just yet, as the US have recently tripled their aid giving.

Let's just put this into perspective. The UK aren't the wonderful leaders in figures that we're beginning to be in thought and policy. In terms of the percentage of GDP we give as aid, we're about sixth or seventh on the list (I saw a list earlier, but I can't find it again...) But the US are another four or five below that. These are two of the richest countries in the world.

It's sort of reassuring that Gordon Brown and Tony Blair certainly seem to be taking the good fight to the US and challenging them to meet us halfway, but was it really even possible? Bush talks about paying attention to the African problems, but seems to be happy to commit far more money to a seemingly unwinnable and infinite war which is only doing more harm than good than to try and address pressing problems. This is a president who has recently been condemned by more than half of the US citizens polled for not paying any attention to really pressing problems in his own country...

If Bush isn't prepared to come forward and back us on this issue, there really doesn't seem to be ANY reason for going to war to back up our "Best Friends" over the pond (not that any of the other reasons were convincing or even factual). If we risk a hell of a lot more to go over there with them and lose lives unnecessarily on their behalf in their knee-jerk reaction of a war, why can't they back us on something for once?

It's a good first step, and a positive one to make sure Bush and the US are getting involved, but I doubt Bush is showing the passion of his own people on this issue, and it's certainly not enough.

There's a long way to go as it is, but the road may be longer if the US stall and avoid putting their money where their mouth is. It's a first step in the right direction, but the G8 is still the biggest hurdle to cross.