WASHINGTON, June 27 (UPI) -- The Bush administration's claim aid to Africa has tripled is an overestimation, says a study conducted by the Brookings Institution.
The actual percentage increase in real dollar terms in aid to Africa from fiscal year 2000 to fiscal year 2004 is 56 percent, according to the study headed by Susan E. Rice, former assistant secretary of State for African Affairs.
At the end of FY2004, the government was spending $2.034 billion in aid to Africa; spending is now at $3.399 billion for FY 2004.
President Bush rejected British Prime Minister Tony Blair's call to double aid to Africa, saying the administration had tripled its aid to Africa since his administration took office.
The Brookings report found 53 percent of aid to Africa consisted of emergency food aid and not development aid, which contributes to sustainable development.
Actual development assistance, excluding food and security aid, has risen 33 percent in real dollar terms from FY 2000 to FY 2004, it said.
