Wall Street Journal Examines How Africa Is Priority on Global Agenda
The Wall Street Journal on Thursday examined how Africa has become a priority on the international agenda. British Prime Minister Tony Blair has taken "a leading role" in the effort by advocating debt relief and increased aid for the continent, according to the Journal. Blair also is urging President Bush to increase U.S. financial aid to and involvement in Africa, and the two leaders recently outlined a plan to cancel at least $34 billion in debt owed by 27 of the world's poorest countries. However, Group of Eight industrialized nations other than the United States are experiencing budget constraints that could prevent aid increases, and Africa's history indicates that stepping up funding might not yield improvements, according to the Journal (Thurow, Wall Street Journal, 6/9).
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