[g8-sheffield] CIRCA Up there with Blair n Bush...!

[Dan]

Hey up,

Seen this in the independent: the who's who of the G8? Notice who's at 
the end...

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/article296051.ece

Tony Blair
PRIME MINISTER, UK, 52
Will try to forget Iraq and rebrand as Saviour of Africa. Faces tough 
time with Bush on climate change, debt relief and trade. Possible 
tension withpost-constitution-row Chirac.

George Bush
PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES, 58
Opposes any large increase in aid not linked to US's own 'good 
governance' criteria. Will fight anything other than voluntary measures 
to curb greenhouse gases.

Silvio Berlusconi
PRIME MINISTER, ITALY, 68
Always aligns with Bush and Blair. Will support Blair on Africa and 
climate change. But recession-hit Italy will struggle to meet EU/UN 
target on aid.

Paul Martin
PRIME MINISTER, CANADA, 66
If he commits to 0.7% of GDP to foreign aid that will put the spotlight 
on the US and Japan to follow suit. Bob Geldof calls this Canada's 
unique opportunity.

Jacques Chirac
PRESIDENT, FRANCE, 72
Wants to go beyond debt and aid, push for air levy and references to 
Kyoto/consensus on climate change. G8 a stepping stone to UN in September.

Gerhard Schröder
CHANCELLOR, GERMANY, 61
Expect no major initiatives from this lame-duck leader awaiting 
elections. Will probably stick to existing timetable of development aid 
to Africa.

Junichiro Koizumi
PRIME MINISTER, JAPAN, 63
Likely to raise N Korea's nuclear programme, and Japan's UN Security 
Council ambition. Has said will double aid to Africa and support climate 
change.

Vladimir Putin
PRESIDENT, RUSSIA, 52
Backs Blair (mildly) on Africa and climate change. May use Africa debate 
to push debt relief for ex-Soviet states. Has met his main aim – that 
Russia counts.

Jose Manuel Barroso
COMMISSIONER, EU, 49
Blair ally who will back agenda for Africa and climate change. May try 
to smooth EU crisis.

The other players
Bob Geldof
POP STAR AND ACTIVIST, 50
Former frontman of the Boomtown Rats, creator of Live Aid in 1985 
andhighly vocal driving force behind the Live8 campaign. Geldof will be 
seen both at Hyde Park tomorrow and at Edinburgh next Wednesday.

Richard Curtis
FILM-MAKER, 48
Britain's leading screenwriter has done much to promote Make Poverty 
History. His TV film, The Girl in the Cafe, made millions of BBC viewers 
aware of the issues surrounding G8. Curtis has also been involved in 
films to be shown at Live8.

Ann Pettifor
DEBT-RELIEF CAMPAIGNER, 58
Director of the Jubilee 2000 campaign for debt relief and of Advocacy 
International, associate at the New Economics Foundation and a prime 
mover behind Make Poverty History. Led G8 protests in 1998.

Steve Tibbett
UK POLICY HEAD, ACTIONAID, 37
Will be one of the main spokespeople for ActionAid – perhaps the most 
vociferous charity supporting Make Poverty History. Its "Get On Board" 
bus recently crossed Africa on the way to Downing Street.

Circa
CLOWN PROTEST GROUP
The Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army is one group whose protests 
may be more colourful than the summit. Group comprises "real, trained 
clowns".