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| Wolfowitz begins key African tour |
| 2005-06-12 |
| Mr Wolfowitz says Africa is facing an "extraordinary moment in history" Paul Wolfowitz has arrived in Nigeria at the start of a week-long trip to Africa, his first overseas mission as head of the World Bank. Mr Wolfowitz will also visit Burkina Faso, Rwanda and South Africa in a clear attempt to signal that Africa is at the top of the agency's priorities. The ex-Pentagon chief's appointment was criticised by development bodies which questioned his credentials for the job. Right. The guy only has a PhD in political science and economics and served as Dean of the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins after serving as ambassador to Indonesia and assistant SecState for East Asia/Pacific affairs. Idiots. Mr Wolfowitz has stressed that poverty reduction in Africa is his main goal. Clear signal His visit comes on the back of an historic agreement by the G8 group of nations on Saturday to cancel $40bn of debt owed by 18 of the world's poorest countries, including Burkina Faso and Rwanda. Tackling poverty in Africa through a combination of debt relief, increased aid and trade initiatives will be top of the agenda at next month's G8 summit in Gleneagles which Mr Wolfowitz will attend. This visit to Africa signals willingness from Mr Wolfowitz to listen but it must translate into real change in World Bank policy Oxfam spokesperson During his seven-day visit Mr Wolfowitz will meet political and community leaders in each of the four countries and view World Bank funded projects supporting infrastructure and medical facilities. Officials said Mr Wolfowitz's first visit had been to a group of Fulani nomads on the outskirts of the Nigerian capital, Abuja. "His first assignment of visiting the poor cattle rearers near Abuja is an indication that under his tenure at the World Bank, the poor in Africa and the developing world can enjoy a new lease of life," a member of Mr Wolfowitz's entourage told Agence France Presse. Mr Wolfowitz's appointment as president of the world's leading development agency in April provoked a storm of controversy. Critics pointed to his role as chief architect of the Iraq war when he was deputy US defence secretary and his lack of specific development experience. Mr Wolfowitz has since sought to reassure sceptics that, under his leadership, the World Bank's primary focus would continue to be on poverty reduction, particularly in Africa. Last week he said the international community was facing an "extraordinary moment in history" in terms of its support for Africa. Action needed However, charities and development bodies said Mr Wolfowitz needed to back up his words with actions. Oxfam called on him to secure increased investment in education and healthcare, particularly treatment for HIV-AIDS. "This visit to Africa signals willingness from Mr Wolfowitz to listen to poor men and women in Africa but it must translate into real change in World Bank policy," said a spokesperson for the charity. "The Bank must stop enforcing blanket trade liberalisation policies on poor countries that leave them unable to compete with rich producers." |
| Posted by:too true |