[Previous entry: "No. 1 Quits in Bolivia, and Protesters Scorn Nos. 2 and 3"] [Next entry: "LA Deputies to Be Punished for 120 Shots"]
06/09/2005:
"Don't blow Africa's chance, Bono warns EU"
Bono took the African aid campaign to Brussels today, warning European leaders due to decide next week on a plan to double EU aid to the continent over the next 10 years: "Don't blow it."The U2 singer said his message also applied to the world leaders who will meet next month at the G8 summit in Scotland.
After meeting the European commission president, José Manuel Barroso, Bono argued that perhaps one of the reasons people had rejected the European constitution was because they did not feel connected to the vision of Europe promoted by politicians.
The singer, who spoke at a news conference alongside Mr Barroso after the two had met privately for half an hour, said helping Africa was a way for European people to feel such a connection.
Bono said: "I think perhaps that one of the reasons there is not support for the European constitution, the European dream, is because a lot of people don't share it.
"I am in a band and we travel around Europe and around the world, and what we pick up from our audiences is a lack of vision from Europe. People don't 'feel' Europe."
Bono said the problem of Africa represented a chance for politicians and Europeans to "redescribe" themselves and their capabilities.
Full: guardian.co.uk
Check the imperialist discourse: the 'problem' of Africa exists to exalt Europe.
