Blair enlists Annan and Geldof to chase G8 aid

LONDON - British Prime Minister Tony Blair has enlisted rock star Bob Geldof and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to help keep track of how wealthy countries live up to their aid commitments to Africa.

Keeping track of pledges by countries known as the Group of Eight is a "full-time job" and while some pledges are on track, more needs to be done, Blair will say in a speech in London on Monday local time.

Blair is setting up an independent Africa Panel, to be chaired by Annan, to evaluate progress on promises made by the G8 at a summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, last July.

G8 leaders promised an extra $50 billion a year in total aid for all developing countries by 2010, including an expected $25 billion for Africa.

Blair also enlisted Geldof, organizer of a series of Live 8 concerts last year, and Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo as members of the panel, expected to be set up within weeks.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has agreed to help fund the panel and secretariat, according to excerpts of Blair's speech.

"We need to deliver the comprehensive package agreed at Gleneagles," he will say. "Ensuring that happens is a full-time job."

The panel will produce an annual report for the G8 and the United Nations.

Plans to cancel 100 per cent of the debt of many poor states are on track and have allowed Zambia to provide free health care for people living in rural areas, Blair will say.

- REUTERS