Anti-poverty group criticizes PM's non attendance at Lisbon summit

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By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Dec 6, 2007, 8:34 GMT

(M&C) - A leading anti-poverty group has questioned the refusal of Prime Minister Gordon Brown to attend the EU-Africa summit in Lisbon calling it a "smokescreen". Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade (2-L) talks to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (2-R) at the Harare International Airport in Harare, Zimbabwe, 29 November 2007. EPA/BISHOP ASARE

Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade (2-L) talks to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (2-R) at the Harare International Airport in Harare, Zimbabwe, 29 November 2007. EPA/BISHOP ASAREThe World Development Movement said the prime minister should be at the conference leading the way against free trade deals which the organisation believes will only increase African poverty.Mr Brown has said he will not attend the summit because of the presence of Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe.

However Benedict Southworth, director of the World Development Movement, said the prime minister's move was counter productive.

“The humanitarian crisis caused by the incompetence and corruption of the President Mugabe’s government will not be helped by Prime Minister Brown’s decision to boycott the EU Africa summit," he said.

“Instead Brown’s anger, however understandable, will act as a smokescreen for a wider problem in the relationship between the EU and African countries."

He added, "This summit is being held at a critical time in the ongoing drive by the EU to force vulnerable African countries to sign-up to free trade deals which benefit European multi-national companies."

"But these deals threaten to bring about rising unemployment, increased poverty and reduced spending on health, education and social welfare. Gordon Brown must publicly reject Europe’s strategy as forcefully as it rejects Mugabe,” Mr Southworth said.

The second Eu-Africa summit begins in Lisbon this weekend.

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