3RD TIME LUCKY?

Bush and Blair in Africa pledge.

Mr Blair's trip was to prepare the way for the G8 summit. US President George W Bush has said he is working with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to eliminate debt in African countries that are committed to reform. At a joint news conference, Mr Bush also pledged $674m (£350m) to fight hunger in Africa, although aid groups say that is a "drop in the ocean".
The US commitment stops short of the debt relief plan Mr Blair is seeking ahead of July's G8 summit in Scotland. He hopes Mr Bush will ultimately offer a lot more, says the BBC's Andrew Marr. Mr Blair has expressed optimism about securing extra support for his plan to convince rich countries to add to their existing contributions - and help raise an extra $25bn (£13.5bn) in African aid. To lower the ambition at this critical stage, would be seen by many as a betrayal of Africa "I think we are well on the way" to agreement on that, said Mr Blair, on his first trip to Washington since winning a third term in office last month.
The prime minister said thousands of children were dying every day in Africa from preventable diseases. "It's our duty to act, and we will," he said. But he said Africa's leaders had to show a commitment to democracy and fighting corruption. "It's not a something for nothing deal," Mr Blair said. Mr Bush said the US had already tripled aid to Africa since he came to office.