World is still failing Africa, warns Geldof

BOB Geldof yesterday awarded world leaders an unimpressive four out of ten for their efforts in helping Africa beat poverty and accused rich countries of backsliding on commitments to level the playing field on trade.

Two months after lauding G8 leaders following their summit at Gleneagles, the Live 8 organiser said the United Nations summit in New York had failed to live up to their ambition.

"I'm not thrilled," Geldof told a joint news conference with Tony Blair, the Prime Minister, at UN headquarters.

"We have actually seen a clawback on the language on trade at Gleneagles."

Mr Blair said it was time to call the bluff of leaders who promised to scrap tariffs and trade barriers that price poor African nations out of the market.

He said world trade talks in Hong Kong in December would be a real test of their commitment. "If we have a failure ... it will echo right around the world," said Mr Blair.