EU plans 'spare' 1bn for Africa

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

The European Commission has backed a plan to give 1bn euros (£800m) of unspent EU farm subsidies in aid to African farmers.

The cash could help farmers boost output, thereby tackling food shortages and soaring prices.

The money has been allocated to the EU agriculture budget, but not spent.

Some countries have queried the move's legality. But if EU ministers and the European Parliament agree, it could take effect in early 2009.


Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7513562.stm

[comtec]

1. assuming it GOES to farmers

and considering all the troubles we have getting A N Y kind of aid TO the poor in Africa, this is a pointless, waste of money if there are no UN troops to enforce it.




or do they just mean the WHITE parts of Africa?


I'm so tired of throwing money down that well because it never gets to teh people who actually NEED this money, the poor and destitute. "feed the poor children" thanks sally, but when 80%+ of that money is going as bribes to the warlords, if not closer to 100%... I say send in the planes!

[dipsydoodle]

3. Its a matter of how well its managed so.......

[PaulaFarrell]

4. you know, not every country in africa is run by warlords

contrary to popular belief. and even in the ones which are, do you really want to add to the misery by bombing poeple? because taht has worked so well in iraq, hasn't it?

[comtec]

5. I agree, just most of the ones that NEED the assistance

how useful is it to only fund the areas where we KNOW the money will go where it's supposed to?
The more civilized areas (and yes, I consider any place under a warlord uncivilized) don't need this funding as badly.
and THAT is where the problem lies.
I WANT Africa to become modernized - in the areas that want it, and we have an opportunity to start them green! They don't have to go through the dirty industrial revolution that the west went thru, they can START with green power like solar and wind!

I have known people from Ghana, seems like a decent place, I don't know off hand how much THEY need this assistance, compared to say... South Africa, or the places where all the blood diamonds and gold comes from.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. Ditto Comtec

I think this is a fantastic idea - but the reality is . . . without large men with guns standing around and ready to shoot - it's not going to get in the hands of those who need it.

And that glorified debate club in NYC (the U.N.) isn't going to lift a finger to ensure that large men with guns are ever able to shoot at those who would do the innocent harm.