most of them African -- debts to it. Under the plan, $40 billion of debt to the international institutions will now be written off. A further nine countries could become eligible in the future and total relief could rise to $55 billion. Aid campaigners were relieved that the plans that have been floated for years finally appeared to be turning into reality but urged speedy action. "We heard the overture in June, the fanfare in July -- and now we really do hope we have heard part of the final chord," said Stephen Rand of the Jubilee Debt Campaign. "After all the brinkmanship this is good news. It's good news because it will make a real difference to some of the world's poorest people." --More 2357 Local Time 2057 GMT
