G8 Nations Should Honor Development Commitments Made to Africa, Editorial Says

The "defining idea behind" the Group of Eight industrialized nations is "that they all confront global challenges and should work together to meet them," a Boston Globe editorial says, adding, "But this premise is being sorely tested this week" when G8 leaders met for their summit in Japan. G8 members "may make progress in at least one way: in honoring pledges given at the 2005 G8 summit for aid to Africa," according to the editorial. It adds, "Japan has been particularly serious about keeping the G8's 2005 promises to deliver $50 billion annually by 2010 for African development and the fight against malaria, HIV/AIDS and other diseases." The U.S. is "contributing about $15 billion a year in AIDS relief," the editorial says, adding, "But some of the Europeans have been less forthcoming."

According to the editorial, it was a "good sign that [President] Bush, in the presence of Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, backed Japan's push for detailed assessments of how well each member is doing in delivering the promised aid for Africa." It adds, "Until now, only a small portion of the pledged assistance has actually been transferred from donor countries to recipients." The "old model of national interests conflicting with the interest of humanity is a danger to G8 members and every other country in the world," the editorial concludes (Boston Globe, 7/9).

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