New foreign aid program ties assistance to reforms

[Judi Lynn]

Posted 5/10/2004 12:02 PM


New foreign aid program ties assistance to reforms

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush on Monday formally announced the 16 countries, including eight in Africa, that have been chosen to participate in a new foreign aid program that ties U.S. assistance to political, social and economic reforms.

Standing in front of flags from the 16 nations, Bush said that under the new program, known as the Millennium Challenge Account, America is pledging to increase development assistance by 50% over three years.

"This divide between wealth and poverty, between opportunity and misery, is far more than a challenge to our compassion," Bush said. "Persistent poverty and oppression can spread despair across an entire nation, and they can turn nations of great potential into the recruiting grounds of terrorists."
(snip)

The 16 countries are Armenia, Benin, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Georgia, Ghana, Honduras, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Senegal, Sri Lanka and Vanuatu. Funding is not guaranteed for any of the nations.
(snip/...)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-05-10-bush-aid_x.htm

[Honest_Abe]

1. Perhaps ...

"This divide between wealth and poverty, between opportunity and misery, is far more than a challenge to our compassion," Bush said. "Persistent poverty and oppression can spread despair across an entire nation, and they can turn nations of great potential into the recruiting grounds of terrorists."

Bush should heed his own words.

[newyawker99]

2. Hi Honest_Abe!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[MisterP]

3. what "reforms"?

selling all the water to Bechtel? indebting Botswana to GlaxcoWellcome? privatizing everything and making wages "competitive" (3cents/hr.)? forcing competition between local shops and WalMartNike?

[Just Me]

4. Of the PNAC variety,...

,...they are still sticking to their wacko "vision", just using the pre-softening economic tactics.