President Bush meets with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the White House today -Tuesday for talks expected to focus on a British plan to reduce poverty in Africa.
So far, Mr. Bush has been cool to the proposal to double current international aid to Africa, saying it does not fit the U.S. budgetary process.
But, White House officials say the two leaders are expected to announce a joint initiative to help 14 million people vulnerable to famine in Eritrea and Ethiopia, and provide humanitarian aid to other African nations.
Today's talks come ahead of next month's G-8 Summit of the world's major industrialized nations to be hosted in Scotland by Britain, which holds the group's rotating presidency.
Mr. Blair has said he intends to make Africa's need of financial aid a priority at the conference. Global climate change is also expected to be high on the agenda.
Information for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
