UK cuts aid to over 20 countries to pay for Iraq funds
IRNA
London, Nov 7, IRNA - The UK is diverting aid worth Pnds 100 million (Dlrs 170 m) from over 20 countries in the next two years to help pay for the government`s contribution to Iraq`s reconstruction, International Development Secretary Hiliary Benn has revealed. The cutbacks, described as "reallocations" and "rephrased" programmes affects previously planned aid to such countries as diverse as South Africa, Russia, China, Sri Lanka, Bolivia, Jamaica, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia. The measures also include the complete withdrawal of bilateral aid to Peru, Honduras, Anguilla, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Macedonia, being withdrawn completely. Aid to Egypt is also to end and even to Jordan it is being "rephrased," but programmes for the Palestinian Authority is to be retained. Announcing the full extent of Britain`s retreat from its overseas aid commitments in parliament on Thursday, Benn said it was the consequence of the "temporary increase in funding for Iraq, which we expect to return to middle-income status soon." But the severity of the cutbacks has provoked protests from aid agencies who claim they breach undertakings given by Prime Minister Tony Blair that money would not be redirected away from other programmes to pay for Iraq. "Reducing funds to countries such as South Africa, which is ravaged by Aids, or Bolivia, which is suffering political instability and where more than half the population live below the poverty line, does not fit in with development priorities," Phil Bloomer of Oxfam said. Andrew Croggon, head of Christian Aid`s South America division, also said he was "shocked" by the cuts to countries described as `middle income.` Judith Turbyne from Christian Aid`s programme in the Caribbean and central America, said it was a reversal of aid policy. HC/214 End
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