The Hindu : International : Britain unveils new "Marshall Plan" to wipe out Africa's poverty

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Saturday, Jun 04, 2005

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International

Britain unveils new "Marshall Plan" to wipe out Africa's poverty

Hasan Suroor

Plan envisages debt relief, more aid and trade; global sale of bonds to raise $4 billion

LONDON: Britain on Friday unveiled what the Chancellor Gordon Brown described as a "modern Marshall Plan'' to alleviate poverty in Africa through debt relief, more aid and trade.

Cancellation of all debt owed by poor countries to international institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund was the centre-piece of Mr. Brown's proposals which he hailed as a "new deal'' between rich and poor countries.

"They are a modern Marshall Plan for Africa and the developing world,'' he said likening his proposals to America's ambitious post-war effort to rebuild Europe.

G-8 summit

Mr. Brown said the plan would be presented to leaders of the Group of Eight industrialised nations ahead of next month's G-8 summit in Scotland.

Besides debt cancellation, the proposals include removing trade barriers to allow African countries easier access to western markets, and a boost in direct aid to poorer nations.

Mr. Brown also announced plans to sell bonds in the international market to raise $4 billion, which he said, could save millions of lives in Africa.

Apart from Britain, France and Sweden had already agreed to contribute to bonds.

"This is not a time for timidity, nor is it a time to fear reaching too high," he said adding: "This year ... is our chance to help reverse the fortunes of a continent and it is our opportunity to help transform the lives of millions.'' Prime Minister Tony Blair, who will chair the G8 summit, is to visit Washington next week for talks with the U.S. President George W. Bush to push his anti-poverty agenda.

He is also expected to meet other G8 leaders ahead of the summit to get an agreement on Britain's key proposals. Mr. Brown said Britain was "determined'' to make empowerment of Africa a reality. He claimed

American support for 100 per cent debt relief for poor countries and said: "What we now have to work out are the mechanics and I believe we will see progress in the next few days on exactly that agenda.''

In a boost to "Make Poverty History'' campaign, Mr. Brown backed singer Bob Geldof's plans for "Live 8'' concerts ahead of the G-8 summit to raise awareness about Africa.

He said the Government would waive the bill for the cost of the concert. About anti-globalisation demonstrations planned on the eve of the summit, he said people had a right to hold "peaceful'' protest.

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