Debt campaigners prepare for Genoa

Justice and Peace groups from all over Europe are travelling to Italy later this month, to ask the G7 leaders meeting there to cancel the debts of the world's poorest countries. The leaders of the richest nations: Italy, USA, UK, France and Germany, Japan and Canada meet on 21 July in Genoa. Last year their conference in Okinawa ended in world wide condemnation when they failed to make progress on debt cancellation but enjoyed $750million of Japanese hospitality. Many countries in the developing world are paying more in interest on loans then they spend on their health budget. Countries like Zambia, where the life expectancy has fallen below 30, cannot afford to pay $3.4million each week. The UK and the USA have already pledged to cancel 100% of their debts. Campaigners are urging the World Bank to agree with them. If you are able to go to Genoa, Fr Frank Nally will be representing the Columban Faith and Justice team there. Call Anne-Marie Coppock at CAFOD on 0207 326 5513 for details. If you can't go, write to The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, 10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA; The Italian Ambassador, 14 Three Kings Yard, Davies Street, London W1Y 2EH, For more information click on: www.dropthedebt.org