Mixed reactions to G8 deal
Opposition parties have responded to today’s G8 announcement on plans to tackle global poverty and climate change with mixed reactions.
Shadow secretary of state for international development Andrew Mitchell welcomed the $50 billion extra aid for Africa and said the debt relief “will offer hope to many Africans”.
The challenge was now to ensure that the extra resources were spent well, the Tory spokesman said, and used to reward those African governments that “respect the rights and interests of their people”.
But Mr Mitchell said the failure to make real progress on global trade reform was “deeply disappointing” and described the trade deal in the G8 communique as “little more than a cop-out”.
“This was a great opportunity to send a powerful signal ahead of the World Trade Organisation talks in December. President George Bush has indicated his willingness in principle to scrap unfair farm subsidies,” he said.
“But the trade deal in the communique is little more than a cop-out. In order to make poverty history, we need a concrete commitment to break down the hypocritical and immoral protectionism practised by the west.”
Like Mr Mitchell, Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy welcomed the G8’s plans on debt relief, increased aid, a new peacekeeping force, increased access to Aids treatment and a commitment by African leaders to good governance.
He also said he was “encouraged” by Mr Blair’s announcement of $3 billion in aid to the Palestinian authority, urging them to “seize this opportunity with both hands to root out corruption and tackle terrorism”.
But the Lib Dem leader expressed his disappointment at the agreement on climate change, saying Mr Blair’s special relationship with President Bush had “failed to deliver”.
Dialogue with developing countries such as China and India was a good thing, Mr Kennedy said, but called for a plan of action as a successor to Kyoto.
“What we must now remember is that we shall be judged not by the promises we make but by the promises we keep,” he added.
