Wolfowitz urges G8 to keep promises on Africa

ADDIS ABABA, July 11 (Reuters) World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz said the G8 countries meeting in Russia later this week should not forget promises they made to Africa a year ago to provide increased aid, trade and debt relief.

Wolfowitz, speaking to reporters on arrival in Ethiopia at the start of a seven-nation African tour yesterday, said he would take a break from the trip to attend the summit of the Group of Eight (G8) leading industrialised nations from July 15-17.

G8 leaders pledged last year to double aid to Africa by 2010 to some 50 billion dollar, increase trade by lowering tariffs and cancel the debts of some of the poorest countries.

So far the debts owed by 18 mostly African countries to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund were written off from July 1.

Wolfowitz said he intended in St. Petersburg to remind the leaders of the United States, Germany, Japan, France, Italy, Britain, Russia and Canada of their pledges.

''We must deliver on the promises made last year to this great continent, to help provide the opportunity for the poorest Africans to lift themselves out of poverty and make steady progress toward a better life for future generations,'' he said.

Earlier yesterday, Wolfowitz called on the G8 countries and emerging economic forces like China, India, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa to reach an agreement in stalled world trade talks.

He also urged Washington to break the deadlock by committing itself to deeper cuts in its domestic farm subsidies.

In a letter to each of the G8 leaders, Wolfowitz said the summit was a chance to provide momentum essential for success in the so-called Doha round of global trade talks.

Poorer nations have long said wealthier countries must open their agricultural markets before they will open their industrial and services markets.

Wolfowitz said during his visit to Ethiopia he hoped to learn about the economic challenges facing the country and its prospects for growth.

''Its stability and prosperity are crucial to the entire Horn of Africa,'' he said.

REUTERS PDS RAI0620