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» Tuesday, May 4, 2004

Africa Commission

Asked if he would agree that the first meeting of the Africa Commission today was 'too little too late' in the light of the fact that it had taken the Prime Minister over two years to act on his pledge to help Africa, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said no. The Government's record on aid to Africa and debt relief showed that we had been leading the way in helping the continent. The purpose of the Commission, half of whose members were African, was to look fundamentally and originally at the issues surrounding Africa and come up with a coherent report. It had the clear political backing of the Prime Minister and we hoped the report would be completed in time for the UK's Presidency of both the G8 and the EU next year. There was a clear sign that progress had already been made in terms of the attitudes towards Africa we had seen in recent years in the G8, as well as elsewhere. It was important for us to pull those various strands together into a coherent approach. If the question being asked contained a suggestion that the job had not been completed, then that was something with which we would agree. That said, it was important not to underestimate what had already been achieved.

Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

MoD/British Aerospace

Asked for a reaction to allegations by the Guardian about 'backhanders' involving one of the MoD's suppliers, British Aerospace, the PMOS said that this was a matter for the MoD, not him. Asked why he was willing to express a view about the alleged activities of another MoD 'supplier', the Queen's Lancashire Regiment', but not this case, the PMOS said that the two cases were different. The claims regarding soldiers' alleged actions in Iraq had consequences which went far further than the MoD.

Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Africa Commission

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) advised journalists that the Prime Minister would be chairing the first meeting of the Africa Commission in Downing Street this afternoon. The purpose of the Commission was to have a fresh and fundamental look at all aspects of policy relating to Africa in the run-up to the UK's Presidency of both the G8 and the EU next year.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Iraq pictures

Asked about Adam Ingram's Statement to the House this afternoon on the treatment of Iraqi prisoners, the PMOS said that Mr Ingram would update MPs on the issue. Everyone was familiar with the current situation. An investigation into the Daily Mirror pictures was ongoing which would take into account all the relevant matters. Obviously we hoped it would report as soon as possible, but it was clearly important to make sure that it was properly carried out.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (5)

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Africa Commission

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