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Bono Charity Rips Italy, France for Stiffing Africa

Anti-poverty group says broken aid promise should cost Italy right to host G8 summit

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 11, 2009 4:52 AM CDT
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(Newser) – An anti-poverty group founded by Bono has issued a report harshly condemning France and Italy for reneging on promises to boost aid to Africa, the BBC reports. The report from the organization One called France's performance "disappointing" and Italy's an "utter failure," which has dragged down the overall G8 performance in delivering on promises made at its 2005 summit. 

The group found that Italy had delivered just 3% of the promised increase in aid, and was planning to cut rather than increase aid in future. The group's director said Italy should lose its right to host the next G8 summit. "Rules should be agreed to ensure that such countries shouldn't be allowed to attend or chair important international meetings in the future if the system is to retain any credibility," said the singer.

Bono and Bob Geldof speak with the editor of a Japanese newspaper about a special issue on Africa.
Bono and Bob Geldof speak with the editor of a Japanese newspaper about a special issue on Africa.   (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
Bono, founder of the anti-poverty group One, delivers a speech during the Tokyo International Conference on African Development.
Bono, founder of the anti-poverty group One, delivers a speech during the Tokyo International Conference on African Development.   (Getty Images)
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Italy has said it will put Africa at the forefront of the agenda at the G8 summit. Based on its performance against the Gleneagles commitments, it has no credibility to host discussions of such global importance.
- Report from One

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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
wwwonderer
Jun 11, 2009 4:47 AM CDT
I can understand that. You have to imagine all government bodies -from local to national- are feeling the reduction in tax projects, from property to income.
Mr.C
Jun 11, 2009 4:45 AM CDT
I believe I recall correctly that European aid fell even before the world's economy did.

Gates, Geldof, Tutu berate Italy over broken promises
Bloomberg

Campaigners warn G8 is way behind on pledge
Guardian (UK)

 
Africa • France • Italy • Bono • foreign aid • charity • Bob Geldof

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