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Kadafi Tells Africa to Stop Begging, Start Cooperating

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From Associated Press

Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi told African nations to stop begging from the rich and cooperate more in a blunt speech before a summit of the continent’s leaders Monday.

“Pleading to the G-8 to lift debts won’t make a future for Africa,” Kadafi, clad in traditional robes, told about 3,000 delegates. “We need cooperation between the big and the small countries in the world.

“Begging won’t make a future for Africa,” he said, receiving muted applause.

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, one of 47 African heads of state gathered for the start of the African Union summit, praised the Libyan’s comments.

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Leaders of the Group of 8 industrialized nations are planning to meet Wednesday in Scotland in a session expected to focus on African debt relief. Over the weekend, rock stars and celebrities held concerts around the globe urging leaders of wealthy nations to eradicate the continent’s debt.

Some African leaders were pessimistic that the G-8 would come through for them.

The G-8 nations are burdened with their own issues, and “solving the world’s and poor countries’ issues are bigger than their ability,” said Sudanese President Lt. Gen. Omar Hassan Ahmed Bashir.

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