THE FUTURE OF THE EC DEVELOPMENT BUDGET
CONCLUSION
79. Recent fraud allegations have undermined the
reputation of the EC. Now more than ever, public attention is
focussing on how much the EC spends, on what, and why. This Report
tells the story of an external assistance budget unfocussed, uncoordinated,
ineffectively implemented, and, to use the words of the Secretary
of State, "skewed quite dreadfully against the poorest."[143]
The budget has placed the political and strategic interests of
member states above the needs of the poor. This too is a scandal
and it has been accepted for far too long. We have made recommendations
which call for a fundamental reform of the structure of this budget,
its management and the policies which underpin it. Political convenience
and particular interests can no longer be allowed to bring the
EC development budget into disrepute. The changes we propose will
not only repair the Community's damaged reputation in development
but, more importantly, give help to those who genuinely need it,
the poor of the world.
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