British Prime Minister Tony Blair is contradicting his pledge for Africa when he announced that his government would withdraw its aid for Ethiopia, according to Ethiopian premier Meles Zenawi. Britain blocked the disbursement of GBP50 million ($94 million) of its commitment worth GBP90 million ($177 million) in direct budget assistance in protest of the crackdown on opposition party members in the wake of last year’s disputed elections. Meles said: “This from a donor which championed a new relationship with Africa … From the UK we expected more (but) they acted in a manner not consistent with their principles.” (Source: Ethiopia’s Meles criticises Blair for pulling direct aid funding/Agence France Presse)