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Thousands demonstrate against poverty in Spain
Oct 21, 2006, 20:08 GMT
Madrid - Thousands of people demonstrated against worldwide poverty, demnanding more international aid and development in rallies across Spain on Saturday.
Demonstrators in Madrid called on the Socialist government of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero to step up the fight against poverty in the Third World and offer debt relief to poor countries.
Spain should commit 0.7 per cent of its gross domestic product to development aid. Labour and Social Affairs Minister Jesus Caldera said, Spain would reach the level of 0.5 per cent in 2008.
Organizers said about 100,000 people had attended the rally in Madrid whilst police spoke of about 10,000 participants.
In total 40 cities across Spain saw similar demonstrations organized by aid organizations, unions and other groups, following the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty set by the United Nations at October 17.
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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