Russia Gets G8 Cash, Africa Gets Kind Words

28/06/2002| IslamWeb

HIGHLIGHTSWar Against Terror Nudges Africa Out of Summit Priorities||Summit Agrees on Palestinian Reforms But Differs on Arafat Question||Summit Premises Accessible Only to Delegates & Security-cleared Media|| STORY: A 20 billion U.S. dollar deal designed to stop extremist groups getting hold of nuclear bombs nudged Africa out of the spotlight at a summit of rich nations on Thursday, but the countries promised not to ignore the world's poorest continent next year. (Read photo caption)

The leaders of the Group of Eight industrialized nations, guarded by tanks, soldiers and batteries of anti-aircraft guns in two days of closed-door talks, also called for Palestinian reforms, although they stopped short of endorsing a U.S. plan that says Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat should go.

In line with year-old promises, they drew up a new development package for Africa, but the Africa Action Plan offered a lot of advice and little in the way of cash.

The leaders also promised 20 billion U.S. dollar to help Russia dismantle weapons of mass destruction and prevent extremist groups getting hold of raw materials to build a nuclear bomb, sealing the deal only hours before the summit ended.

But the plan was short on detail, including explaining exactly who would foot the bill.

Terrorism has long been a topic at annual summits of the Group of Eight, where the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States often appear to be seeking things to agree about in a series of broad-brush assessments of international affairs.

But the issue took on new urgency this year after the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States; amid the nightmare scenario that groups like al Qaeda -- blamed for the attacks -- might acquire radioactive material to build a nuclear bomb, or a "dirty bomb" spreading fear and radiation over a wide area.

The summit was held this year in the sealed-off bubble of Kananaskis, an exclusive resort surrounded by wilderness and accessible only to delegates and security-cleared media representatives in possession of the right security pass.

PHOTO CAPTION

(T) British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President George W. Bush (L-R) talk while posing for the group photo at the end of the G8 summit in Kananaskis June 27, 2002. (Larry Downing/Reuters)
(B) South African President Thabo Mbeki (L) and Senagal's President Abdoulaye Wade answer questions at their closing G8 news conference in Calgary June 27, 2002. The G8 countries met with African leaders to discuss ways to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development in Africa. REUTERS/Dan Riedlhuber