Bob Geldof threatened to quit Tony Blair group Commission for Africa after just one meeting
Musician Bob Geldof, according to newly published government files, Tony Blair threatened to storm the African Commission and said it was a danger of being a “ridiculous grotesque”.
The live aid campaign was effective in persuading Mr. Blair to establish a commission aimed at examining the problems of the continent before a major G8 summit in Scotland under the chairmanship of England.
However, the official articles published in the national archives in the Kew in Western London reveal Mr. Geldof’s anger when a document that determines the “resulting results” to the commission members – after a meeting.
Mr. Geldof wrote an angry letter to Economist Sir Nicholas Stern, the policy director of the commission, dated 9 August 2004.
The musician said it was impossible to reach any conclusion in such a short time.
He was not ready to serve on a body that was there to force the “predetermined government policy”.
“To be open, the policy should be determined by the commission of the policy, which is independent of its own will and intentionally sits and concluded. This distinction is vital.
“In a broader way, the concept of solutions is ridiculous. If the solution to Africa’s misery is only concluded in a period of six weeks’, it is a remarkable success.
“How blind should we be in the past years. The truth is that there is no result yet.
“If the commission is not clearly seen as an independent entity, it will lose all reliability. If it seems to advance its predetermined government policy, it will be seen as a ridiculous grotesque correctly.”
Mr Geldof, including some of Africa, including some commission members, including the “minimum” was seen.
“Isn’t it a function of the secretariat on behalf of the chair to ensure that this is not like this? Or does this play some ridiculous political games at the expense of the miserable poor?”
Sir Nicholas hurriedly wrote to Mr. Geldof to guarantee that the document was not attempted to prevent the commission’s findings.
The input of British politicians wrote that it was “relatively small ..
“Rather than being an attempt to hurry, the article aims to encourage the debate at the second meeting in October and make a real change between the commission members.
“I would be very enthusiastic about sitting with you and discussing these questions; Maybe we can meet for a drink as soon as we both around?”
Mr. Geldof’s answer was not recorded in the files, but was enough to continue.
The following year, the Gleneagles Summit greeted him as “successful with mission, after accepting twice to help Africa and expand debt assistance.
