10 Questions for Tony Blair

By J.F.O. McAllister

On the eve of playing host at the annual get-together of leaders of the world's major industrialized countries, the G-8, British Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke with TIME's London bureau chief J.F.O. McAllister about Blair's vision for the summit and how it differs from that of President George W. Bush. Blair's agenda for the confab concentrates on climate change and aid to Africa.

IN CREATING THE G-8 AGENDA, WERE YOU FOCUSING ON AREAS IN WHICH YOU DISAGREE WITH PRESIDENT BUSH TO OFFSET THE POLITICAL TROUBLES YOU'VE FACED FOR BEING HIS ALLY IN IRAQ?

No, it's not that. We have rightly taken tough action on terrorism, in favor of our own security. But it's also important that we act on the long-term problems that can give rise to the issues of terrorism and security.

DOES THE PRESIDENT OWE YOU ANYTHING FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN IRAQ THAT HE MIGHT REPAY WITH ASSISTANCE TO AFRICA?

That isn't the right way to look at it. What the President should do is what's right for America and the world. Africa is the only continent in the world that's gone backwards in the last 30 years. I find it morally disgusting that thousands of people die every year from killer diseases we can do something about. But this is a continent where if we don't take action, we're going to store up a lot of problems for ourselves in the future.

BUSH REJECTS A BIG UP-FRONT INCREASE IN AID FOR AFRICA. HOW CAN YOU ACCOMPLISH WHAT YOU WANT WITHOUT THE U.S. ON BOARD?

There's been a substantial uplift in U.S. aid to Africa, and the Administration is prepared to do more, provided it's tied to tough obligations of good governance. Our whole approach is that it's not a something-for-nothing deal. African countries and their leaders have to recognize their responsibility.

BUT YOU'VE ARGUED THAT AID SHOULD BE INCREASED FAST, AND THAT'S NOT THE U.S. VIEW.

If we don't make a big contribution to education, HIV/AIDS, the main killer diseases, building up a proper peacekeeping force, we won't reach the millennium development goals [targets for poverty reduction agreed to in 2000] or anywhere near. We want a doubling of aid, up to $25 billion in the next few years, so we're hoping America will do [its part].

EUROPEANS ARE A LOT MORE CONCERNED THAN AMERICANS ABOUT AFRICAN POVERTY. CAN YOU HELP CHANGE THAT?

The American people, as they showed over the tsunami, are generous and warmhearted. If they thought the money would make the difference, they would [come through]. The American initiative on AIDS has put 150,000 people on antiretroviral drugs. If we were able to have an African peacekeeping force able to go into situations like Sudan--where America is the biggest contributor of humanitarian help--you would prevent a lot of problems.

THE SCIENCE ACADEMIES OF ALL G-8 COUNTRIES HOLD THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL AND MAN-MADE, BUT BUSH DISAGREES. HAVE YOU PRESSED HIM ON THAT?

In a speech he gave in April, he outlined a series of measures on clean energy. It's true, he came at this as much from the viewpoint of energy security as climate change. But you couldn't possibly say those were measures that said there was no problem.

DOES BUSH STILL NOT ACCEPT THE SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS?

There are some people who don't. I think the science is clear that human activity is contributing to global warming, and I think it's urgent we act on it. Since America won't sign up to [the Kyoto agreement], I'm trying to see if we can put in place a process that binds together not just the main developed countries but China and India, who are going to be major consumers of energy.

DOES BUSH AGREE THAT THIS IS URGENT?

I believe that the Americans do accept that this is an issue that has to be tackled now. The question is, By what means? If we give the right set of incentives, the market will do a lot of this.

SO THE SUMMIT WON'T SET TARGETS OR TIMETABLES?

The G-8 is not a place where you can negotiate a new climate-change treaty.

THIS IS YOUR LAST TERM. IS BILL CLINTON GIVING ADVICE ON WHAT RETIRED STATESMEN CAN DO WITH THEIR TIME?

If he was, it wouldn't be something I'd discuss!