'No' to charity, 'yes' to investment

Editorial written by South African President Thabo Mbeki for the International Herald Tribune

25 June 2002 - A great moment is at hand: a chance for developed countries to make a sound investment while helping to break the cycle of African underdevelopment. This prospect now seems as obvious as it was previously elusive.

The Group of Eight conference of industrialized nations that begins this week in Canada comes as we plan for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in South Africa in September. It follows significant commitments made by the Bush administration and the European Union at a United Nations conference earlier this year in Mexico to increase development aid.

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