Bono says Germany's efforts to help fight poverty have made him a fan

from the Canadian Press

BERLIN — Bono's got some kind words for Germany.

"This new Germany" is not shy about showing the world what values are worth fighting for, the activist and U2 co-founder said Tuesday. Bono made the remarks after meeting with lawmakers to tell them about efforts to fight poverty and stem the spread of malaria, AIDS and tuberculosis in the developing world.

Speaking to lawmakers, Bono said his visit was aimed at letting them know that using money to fight poverty was helping.

"They should know that their cooperation has had some success," he said, adding that efforts by Debt AIDS Trade Africa and others were producing real results in Africa and elsewhere.

"The good news, help works," Bono said, referring to a 2007 aid package that he said could save up to four million lives in the coming three years. The rock star also praised a debt relief law passed by the government of former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, which Bono said let another 29 million children in Africa attend school.

Bono encouraged German lawmakers to continue working toward halving global poverty by 2015 as part of the UN's Millennium Goals program.

"That's why I'm a fan of Germany and why I want to come back," he said.