U.S. President George W. Bush on Tuesday urged the U.S. Congress and U.S. allies to continue to provide aid and support to global developing nations. Speaking at the daylong White House Summit on International Development held in Washington, DC, Bush touted the efforts of the United States in ending global poverty, hunger, and diseases such as malaria and AIDS. The summit was attended by American lawmakers as well as the international diplomatic corps. In an introduction, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said that Bush's efforts, which have been widely hailed as a success, are “applauded” by the 950 million people that occupy the African continent. She also recalled Bush's February 2008 visit to Liberia where he became famous for his “African dancing skills,” which drew much laughter from Bush and the Summit audience. Bush, who touted the initiative as an effort to “lift up souls in need,” also said that it is “essential” for the U.S. Congress to continue such a program. The U.S. President also called on U.S. allies to follow through on all promises for aid. “The world ought to send a signal that we remain committed” to the global cause of development, he said. Though the United States and many countries abroad are in the midst of a devastating financial crisis, Bush said that “turning inward' towards isolationism is a “serious mistake,” adding that “America must stay committed [to development]…development is in America's interests.” Also in the face of the threat of terrorism, Bush said that the best way to respond is to “spread hope” against an enemy that works against freedom. “We're committed to development because its in our moral interests” and national security interests, he said. Bush also touted the efforts of the U.S. government for allocating $5.5 billion over the next two years to stop global hunger by such programs as World Bank-supported agriculture initiatives. But, in addition to such initiatives, Bush urged the increased opening of global markets, saying that in developing nations, free trade worth 40 times the value of international aid.
