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Bush shines through

Quote:

US outshines Europe in meeting aid targets, study shows
Last updated: 01-07-05, 06:53

With world poverty high on the agenda of the (G8) summit beginning next week, the US - which reluctantly agreed to a deal to alleviate third world debt - will be pleased to circulate a study showing it is better at honouring foreign aid commitments than European members.

The United States and Canada tied for the top rank in a study analysing member countries compliance with pledges made at the G8 summit last year. The North Americans had a 72 per cent compliance rate - compared with 67 per cent for Britain and Germany; and just 50 per cent for France.

A draft report by John Kirton, a University of Toronto professor found Italy honoured 44 per cent of pledges, Japan came in at 39 per cent and Russia trailed at 6 per cent.

For the eight countries and European Union, the average was 55 percent, or "one of the highest scores in 21st century summitry," Prof Kirton said. The only time the average was higher was after a G8 summit in Okinawa in 2000, when the average was 80 per cent.

The document is to be released in final form before next week's G8 summit.

The report found all eight countries and the EU kept their full commitments to provide democracy assistance to the Middle East and North Africa, support the environment and provide debt relief to the most heavily indebted nations.

But all failed to keep their pledge to finance development, one of 18 primary commitments agreed to at the June 2004 summit in Sea Island, Georgia.

The high scores reflect well on President Bush, who hosted the Sea Island meeting, Prof Kirton said. "George Bush is a really very good multilateralist."

"This shows that everybody has bought into what they collectively did at Sea Island and they're pretty much all pulling their weight in being pretty faithful to fulfilling the promises they've made," Prof Kirton added.

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/bre.../breaking3.htm

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Bush really puts his predecessors, and many of his comtempories, to shame when it comes to tackling 3rd world debt and fighting the scourge of AIDS in Africa.

He's not all bad you know. :)

Mr Mephisto

This is interesting news indeed! Wow...I really hate to have to respect the man!:) Well, I guess that settles my hash...on the other hand...maybe it's a Bush conspiracy to gain approval by surprisingly standing up for what's right...yeah, *whew* I almost lost my principles there!

the lefties always think theres an alterior motive..maybe there is..but maybe there isnt.

do i think all this good-will comes from the heart? im not sure..but im glad they're doing something about it anyways!

Hmm...let's see. Governments pay Long Term Capital Management for their bad loans. Then LTCM makes those same bad loans all over again, the repercussions build into an international "problem," then the governments swoop in and pay the piper again.

What a novel business model of a modern major general.

This is good news indeed.

However, why do many concervative people think it is okay when our govenment helps people around the world but find it wrong when it assists our own citizens?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlishsguy

Yes, it's good that he is adding money. Too bad it's after several other nations already promised it to Africa. This is just a game of catch-up for Bush - he can't afford to look bad or unchartiable.

Oh, and as to the motives - other than just looking like a little hero - capital aid to Africa will allow business and trade to build there, while the labor force becomes more productive, lives longer, and becomes more consumerist. And what conservative doesn't want more people buying and building more goods? Especially when they have stock in the company.

well. . .there IS another way of looking at it. He's promising 8.6 bil in 2010. Never says how we're gonna pay for it what with our massive debts and huge military spending because of his pet war. But then it's in 2010, he'll be long gone, so he doesn't have to worry about that- -- it makes him look good now, but it's a committment he can't honor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mantus

This is good news indeed.

However, why do many concervative people think it is okay when our govenment helps people around the world but find it wrong when it assists our own citizens?

We assist our own citizens to MANY MANY more billions and billions. Take a look at the budget for what we spend on welfare, medicare, education, student aid, etc.

There comes a point where enough is enough.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TM875

Yes, it's good that he is adding money. Too bad it's after several other nations already promised it to Africa. This is just a game of catch-up for Bush - he can't afford to look bad or unchartiable.

I'm no particular fan of Bush, but he has consistently done more than his predecessors (including my favourite, Clinton) for AIDS in Africa.

The man deserves praise when he does something praiseworthy.

Mr Mephisto

Unfortunately he is not in favor of the best method of AIDS prevention in Africa - sexual education and condoms. The fact of the matter is that abstinence is ineffective. I saw on the Daily Show that more kids are doing anal now because they think that vaginal sex is dirty and will kill you. Family planning is vital to eliminating a disease that thrives on misinformation and ignorance.