Live Aid

Revelations about rebels in Ethiopia in 1985 skimming off funds that Bob Geldoff and the live aid concerts raised are disgraceful.

They raised 150 million pounds but 140 million was skimmed off to buy guns and bullets, one of the guilty men is now prime minister of Ethiopia, . . I hope he rots in the infernal regions for all eternity when it comes his time.

How could anyone do such a thing to starving children, . . it'll make me think twice before dipping into my pocket in future.

Re: Live Aid

Makes you sick doesn't it!

Re: Live Aid

I agree, it is disgraceful. All the talk about trying to help some of the African countries is pointless, until they can sort out their corrupt governments.

Plenty of money for guns and presidential palaces, but nothing for starving citizens.

Re: Live Aid

Having had the misfortune to live and work in some of these countries I feel qualified to answer that question.

It's simple you just have to be ruthless, devious, self centered, and egoistic.

The really sad part is that no matter who is in charge those attributes are the only way they can stay in control.

I was (briefly) in Uganda when Idi Amin was killing anyone not of his tribe, while bypassing UN sanctions and stashing millions in secret Swiss bank accounts.

Nothing changes.

Re: Live Aid

Although I did not see it I understand there was a robust denial of this by Bob Geldof....?

Re: Live Aid

I dare say Chris, . . he'll be worried in case the public are thinking like I am and withholding cash from any future appeals.

Re: Live Aid

I love Bob Geldof and when I returned to England from living abroad was just amazed at how naive Bob was being. I am sorry but to me anyone with half a brain was naive to raise and hand over to these corrupt governments cash that was given from the heart. These people don't give a damn about there own people and play on our sympathies to get money they are disgusting but worse our own government know what they are doing and because it is politically correct they say nothing.

Re: Live Aid

I believe Geldof may be taking legal action against the BBC
If their account is seriously innacurate I wish him every success - even though any monetary recompense he may get will be taxpayer funded

Re: Live Aid

It's a shame, . . we all gave willingly at the time after seeing those kids on our TV screens literally dying and starving to death, . . what did the UN do at the time ? . . sweet soddall, . . what have they done in other famines since ? . . the same, . . they go through the motions and give the impression they're doing something but it's down to charities like the Red Cross and Oxfam to actually get things done.

Genocide has been practised in Ethiopia for 50 years and because the perpetrators are funded form oil states in the middle east it will continue, . . it's time the UN took a stance there and moved in but it won't happen in case the Sheiks get offended.