Graft fight vital for aid

COPENHAGEN – US President George W. Bush delivered a tough message for African nations hoping for more aid or debt relief, saying they had to abide by the rules of democracy and fight corruption.

Ahead of a meeting of the Group of Eight (G8) leaders at Gleneagles in Scotland, where more aid for Africa as well as climate change will top the agenda, Bush did not single out any African nation for criticism. His host, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, was more outspoken.He mentioned Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe as one to whom the world should not be afraid to refuse aid.”We will give aid, absolutely, and cancel debt, you bet, but we want to be assured that governments invest in their people …and fight corruption,” Bush said.The visit, the first to Denmark by a US president since Bill Clinton’s in 1997, was given minute-by-minute coverage by the main local television stations.Bush was due to fly later on yestersday from Copenhagen to Gleneagles.- Nampa-ReutersHis host, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, was more outspoken.He mentioned Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe as one to whom the world should not be afraid to refuse aid.”We will give aid, absolutely, and cancel debt, you bet, but we want to be assured that governments invest in their people …and fight corruption,” Bush said.The visit, the first to Denmark by a US president since Bill Clinton’s in 1997, was given minute-by-minute coverage by the main local television stations.Bush was due to fly later on yestersday from Copenhagen to Gleneagles.- Nampa-Reuters