The G8 summit in Heilingendamm, Germany, from June 6-8 is expected to concentrate on climate change and earlier promises of aid made to poor countries, particularly Africa.

Pre-summit negotiations have shown up disagreement between governments on these issues. Some countries, including Italy and Canada, are reluctant even to reiterate promises made two years ago in Gleneagles to increase aid to poor countries. And others, led by the US, are blocking progress on climate change.

Anti-globalisation protesters are also expected to be out in full force; attempts to keep ordinary people away from the venue in order to prevent clashes that have taken place at similar meets in the past have been severely criticised. 

Max Lawson, Senior Policy Adviser at Oxfam, said: “Talks are going down to the wire and it is astounding that the G8 may not even be willing to reiterate the pledges they made in 2005 to increase aid for Africa. They are failing to live up to what they promised, and now they are trying to hide from their responsibility.”

In 2005, the G8 promised to increase overall annual aid levels by $ 50 billion by 2010, and said that half of this increase -- $ 25 billion -- would go to Africa. Oxfam says that the G8 is likely to miss the target by $ 30 billion, with the main culprits being Italy, where aid is falling, France, where aid is stagnant, and Germany, whose aid increases are far from enough to meet the promises made in Gleneagles.

Oxfam says specific financial commitments on HIV/AIDS and education are also being resisted “in favour of non-committal platitudes”. NGOs such as Oxfam want to see annual timetables for the promised aid increases, which will be publicly monitored by finance ministers.

While the US is resisting making any commitments to curb climate change, it has pledged an extra $ 30 billion over five years to fight HIV/AIDS.

Meanwhile, anti-globalisation protesters are expected to gather in large numbers at Heilingendamm, which has been turned into a police fortress with a 12 km steel and concrete barrier surrounding the venue. Sixteen thousand police and 11,000 soldiers have been drafted in. 

Reportedly, private post has been intercepted and homes searched by the police on the suspicion that a terrorist attack is expected. Germans are angry at the curbs put on peaceful protests, by the government. There have been protests in towns and cities all over the country in the past week. 

June 4, 2007