Kennedy on G8: we shall be judged not by the promises we make but by the promises we keep

Reacting to the Prime Minister’s statement on the conclusion of the G8 summit Charles Kennedy said:

‘I am encouraged by the Prime Minister’s announcement of $3bn in aid to the Palestinian authorities which will aid the construction of democracy in Gaza and the West Bank. The Palestinian authorities should seize this opportunity with both hands to root out corruption and tackle terrorism. However, this is only one step along the road towards peace and prosperity in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister’s comments on the issue of Climate Change are disappointing. Whilst ‘dialogue’ between G8 nations and the developing economies such as China and India is an important step forward, what we need is a plan of action as a successor to Kyoto. Once again, the Prime Minister’s ‘special relationship’ with President Bush has failed to deliver.

The G8’s plans for a $50bn increase in aid to Africa and the cancellation of the debts of the poorest nations are encouraging, as are the promises on access to AIDS treatment, the proposed African peacekeeping force, and also the commitment African leaders have made to good governance. However, what we must now remember is that we shall be judged not by the promises we make but by the promises we keep.