Big differences still exist among rich countries on debt relief and aid to Africa even after US President George W. Bush and Tony Blair, Britain's prime minister, announced in Washington on Tuesday that the US and the UK were close to a deal.
As the Group of Seven leading industrialised nations finance ministers prepare for a meeting in London this weekend, two opposing views have emerged on relieving debt owed to multilateral organisations. The G7 countries are also still following separate agendas on increasing development aid.
