Blair Flies in to Greet G8 Leaders – Poverty Negotiations Ready to Begin

The leaders of the Group of Eight richest nations will today gather in Gleneagles, Scotland for the highly-publicised G8 Summit. They gather with the expectations of the world on their shoulders, as millions from around the globe call on them to Make Poverty History by fully cancelling the poorest countries’ debts, doubling aid resources, creating fairer international trade rules, and tackling climate change.

British Prime Minster Tony Blair, who is hosting the meeting, has called on the group to agree on the doubling of aid to Africa to US $50 billion by 2010. However, this proposal has been received with sceptism, particularly by US President George Bush and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who both seek assurances that the money will actually reach the neediest people.

During a pre-summit talk between G8 officials from 2-3 July, Britain was represented by a Diplomat – Michael Jay. He remained optimistic, and said, "There is the prospect of an agreement...the issues are exceptionally complex."

The United Nations currently estimates that 300 million people are living on less than US$1 a day, and that less that half of all children complete education to a primary school standard.

Last weekend on 2nd July, Live 8 concerts were held across 10 venues in 4 continents to support the UK-based Make Poverty History campaign. On the same day more than 200,000 people gathered in Edinburgh, Scotland to demonstrate – forming a white band around the city (the symbol of the Make Poverty History campaign).

Blair has had compassion for the plight of Africa and has sought to make the issues on poverty and climate change the hallmark of his third term in office. Blair described the current situation on Africa by saying, "It's an obscenity that should haunt our daily thoughts."

Africa is a continent with a bloody and devastating history. Over that past 50 years there have been 186 coups and 26 wars, from which more than 7 million are believed to have been killed, according to the UN statistics.

Tony Blair has said that Africa is also the only continent where living standards have declined over the past 30 to 40 years.

As the G8 Summit is ready to begin, those supporting the Make Poverty History campaign are trying to ensure that the latest efforts will not lead to empty promises and hollow hope.

Jo Leadbeater, the head of advocacy for Oxfam stated, "The last thing Africa needs is a fudge. Africa is sick of being promised too little, too late."

US President has also said in an ITV interview earlier this week, "This is saying to nations, `we want to work with you as partners in alleviating poverty. You, the leaders of African nations, have got a role to play to make good governance."

Although the European Union previously have agreed to set a target for countries to offer at least 0.7 percent of their gross domestic product in aid by 2015, the US has not been persuaded.

Martin Gordon, campaigns manager for UK-charity Christian Aid, which offers US$50 million in aid a year, said, "Blair has deliberately set the bar extremely high. All the indicators suggest that what is on offer from rich countries falls short of what is needed to make poverty history."

Blair flew in from Edinburgh today to continue behind the scenes talks, looking to negotiate a path for his G8 proposals that could potentially affect billions of the world’s poorest inhabitants.

Last night the Prime Minister travelled overnight from Singapore, where he helped lead London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympics. He was immediately taken from the airport to the venue of the heavily guarded summit, to welcome other leaders as they arrive today.