G-8 Leaders Stress Support for Africa

Der japanische Finanzminister Koji Omi, von links nach rechts, Bundesfinanzminister Peer Steinbrueck, der U.S. amerikanische stellvertretende Finanzminister Robert M. Kimmit und der britische Schatzkanzler Gordon Brown beim Treffen der G 8 Finanzminister am Samstag, 19. Mai 2007 in Werder bei Berlin. (AP Photo/Fritz Reiss, ) - - - The Japanese Finance Minister Koji Omi, from left to right, German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Robert M. Kimmet and the British Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown during the meeting of the G 8 Finance Ministers in Werder near Berlin on Saturday, May 19, 2007. (AP Photo/Fritz Reiss) (Fritz Reiss - AP)

WERDER-HAVEL, Germany -- The Group of Eight called Saturday for more aid, increased debt relief and responsible lending to Africa, vowing the world's wealthy nations would not forget their pledges to the poverty-stricken continent.

Wrapping up two days of talks by finance officials under tight security at a resort on Lake Schwielowsee, officials from Germany, Italy, Britain, Japan, Canada, Russia, the United States and France called for improved financial oversight and said Africa would be a central point of next month's wider G-8 summit in Heiligendamm.

"We reaffirm our commitment to meeting our responsibilities as donors, in particular the importance of delivering on our aid commitments," the group said in its statement.

With improved financial management by African nations and increased investment, there was a need for "special attention to particular needs of post conflict and fragile states," it added.

Attendees included Gordon Brown, Britain's next prime minister, and U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt, who came instead of his boss, Henry Paulson.

Advocates for Africa said the summit did not focus enough on ensuring the continent receive funding pledged to it, and urged a more thorough accounting next month when the leaders of the G-8 meet on the Baltic Sea coast.

"The G-8 finance ministers have shown collective amnesia, choosing to forget their promises to Africa," said Max Lawson of Oxfam International. "(German) Chancellor (Angela) Merkel has got just 18 days to show true leadership, berate her fellow leaders into action and avoid embarrassment in the eyes of the world and the denial of hope for millions. The German G-8 must not be remembered as the summit of shame."

Two years ago, a British-hosted G-8 summit focused on forgiving debt to Africa and helping it run itself better in a bid to lift the continent from poverty.

But critics said that pledges of $67 billion a year in aid had fallen short.

"The G-8 must start writing checks that don't bounce; checks that their African counterparts can actually cash," said Oliver Buston, the European director of Debt AIDS Trade Africa, or DATA, which was formed by political activist and U2 singer Bono.

"Heiligendamm is the last chance for the G-8 leaders to rescue their reputation," he said.

German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck and his G-8 colleagues were joined by officials from Ghana, Cameroon, Mozambique, South Africa and Nigeria, and by Donald Kaberuka, president of the African Development Bank for the meeting outside Berlin.