For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 26, 2002
Fact Sheet: G - 7/8 Kananaskis Summit, Day One U.S. Accomplishments
The Kananaskis Summit is focused on three key objectives: fighting
terrorism, promoting global economic growth, and strengthening
partnerships to support development, especially in Africa. Through the
leadership of President Bush and other Leaders, the G-8 has agreed to
take action on these vital objectives.
Transport Security Action Plan: President Bush secured today G-8
agreement on a major new U.S.-proposed Transport Security Initiative
designed to enhance our security while growing our economies. The
initiative will lead to more effective screening of people and cargo
before transit; increased security for ships, airplanes, and trucks
while in transit; and enhanced security at airports and seaports. By
deploying modern technology, the initiative will push the security
perimeter beyond physical borders, strengthen security, and expedite
the movement of legitimate cargo and travelers.
Russia's Role in the G-8: G-8 Leaders agreed that in 2006, Russia
will assume the Presidency and host the annual G-8 Summit meeting. The
decision reflects Russia's economic and democratic transition in recent
years under President Putin.
Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC): G-8 Leaders agreed to
fully fund their share of the projected shortfall in the existing HIPC
debt cancellation program.
G-8 Education Task Force Report: President Bush and the other G-8
Leaders agreed today to press forward with an aggressive global agenda
for boosting educational opportunity and achievement. The G-8
Education Task Force Report reflects many of President Bush's core
education principles, including: enhanced accountability through
monitoring and test-based assessment; local control of education
initiatives; and empowering parents through transparent budgets down to
the local level. President Bush believes that learning and literacy
are the foundations of democracy and development. That is why he has
developed a dynamic program for expanding educational opportunity
throughout the world, which includes doubling funding for the Africa
Education Initiative to $200 million over the next five years, bringing
total U.S. spending on basic education in Africa to $630 million over 5
years.
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