Examination of Witnesses (Questions 40-42)
9 DECEMBER 2003
PROFESSOR JAMES
BARBER AND
PROFESSOR DAVID
SIMON
Q40 Mr Chidgey: Should we be using the
carrot and stick through the G8 Action Plan in the UK's policy
towards Africa?
Professor Simon: I would be tempted
to say that putting some funds and some commitment up-front would
be as useful as that. Certainly, as you will see in one of the
attachments to my memorandum, the Evian Summit earlier this year
was felt to be disappointing by both sides. NePAD and the African
communities were looking for some concrete evidence of G8 commitment
or OECD commitment and, vice-versa, they were looking for progress
on peer review mechanisms, but at the moment there is this kind
of dancing around but nobody is prepared to take the first step
and say, "We are going forward."
Q41 Mr Chidgey: Very specifically then,
are you saying you do not agree with the principle that G8 support
should be withheld until improvement in good governance can be
demonstrated?
Professor Barber: I think in South
Africa there is evidence of good governance; enough to encourage
us.
Q42 Mr Chidgey: Enough to unlock the
support from G8?
Professor Barber: Yes.
Professor Simon: And in a growing
number of other countries. Certainly some support up-front with
caveats as a reserve position, but crucially being seen to be
willing to commit some resources and move forward on that basis
and not stand back.
Professor Barber: Yes, I agree.
Chairman: A perfect note on which to
end. Gentlemen, you have been most helpful to the Committee. I
call this first session to an end and we will begin in ten minutes'
time with the next witnesses and Mr Illsley will begin.
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