[allAfrica.com]  [Africa_2005]


Report to Include Africa Peace Force Funds - Brown

Cape Argus (Cape Town)
NEWS
January 18, 2005
Posted to the web January 18, 2005

By Sheena Adams

The final report resulting from a Commission for Africa meeting which ends in
the city today will include proposals on how to fund a much-needed African
peacekeeping force, according to British Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon
Brown.
Brown said at a media briefing yesterday that in addition to setting out urgent
proposals for debt relief and access to trade, the report would include a
costed programme for defence on the continent.
"The report of the Africa Commission will not ignore the issue of conflict. In
fact, there will be proposals about conflict prevention as well as conflict
resolution and we will be looking at the issue of peacekeeping forces and the
strong issue that has got to be dealt with of financing them," he said.
The meeting brings together Brown, South African Finance Minister Trevor
Manuel, 18 other finance ministers and five African commissioners to discuss
draft recommendations focusing on trade, debt relief and economic growth.
A final report is expected to be released in March.
Brown said other proposals would centre on how to eradicate poverty,
deprivation, illiteracy and ill-health. Getting rid of trade impediments for
African countries was also a priority.
The commission is expected to make proposals for a rapid reduction of
agricultural subsidies that contribute to over-production in rich countries in
commodities where African countries have a comparative advantage.
Brown said proposals would seek specifically to build up capacity in African
countries to compete in international trade.
"I would suggest that if we are prepared to do more to help build up capacity -
in transport, power, communication, financial and regulatory systems, even
skills issues - for the agricultural sector but also for the industrial sector
- then we would be better able to get an agreement at the trade talks in Hong
Kong in December," he said, referring to the scheduled world trade
negotiations.
Brown said the meeting had shown a "unity of purpose" among African, European
and north American countries.
"What I see has both potential but also the challenge of poverty for jobs, for
tackling health problems, for tackling illiteracy and for thinking about the
education, health and poverty objectives of the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs).
"What I sense is that what African finance and other ministers are telling us
today is that it is our responsibility to work with them but then add quickly
so that this year, which I believe is a year for opportunity, will be a year of
delivery as well," he said.
He said that at current rates of progress the MDGs to halve world poverty,
provide free primary education and eradicate preventable maternal and infant
mortality were about 150 years behind schedule.
Opening the session yesterday, he said the main problem was that the "global
resolution" required from world leaders was not yet strong enough to deliver
promises made.
"Justice promised will forever be justice denied unless we remove from this
generation the burden of debt incurred by past generations."

   

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