Aid for Arms in Ethiopia (A BBC World Service Report on Millions of Aid Dollars diverted to Weapon for TPLF)

Listen now (25 minutes)

Aid for Arms in Ethiopia

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Last broadcast today, 11:05 on BBC World Service (see all broadcasts).

Synopsis

It was a charity appeal on a global scale. In 1985, an unprecedented array of performers took part in two marathon, televised concerts in Britain and the United States - all to raise money for a terrible famine in Ethiopia. And it worked. It's thought the concerts eventually generated about two hundred and fifty million dollars in donations from the public. But now, evidence has emerged that the aid agencies charged with distributing that money, were hoodwinked: that millions of dollars were diverted to buy weapons for rebels in Ethiopia - and that the United States knew this was going on. The BBC's Africa editor, Martin Plaut, investigates for Assignment.

Broadcasts

1. Thu 4 Mar 2010
   10:05
   BBC World Service
2. Thu 4 Mar 2010
   15:05
   BBC World Service
3. Thu 4 Mar 2010
   20:05
   BBC World Service
4. Fri 5 Mar 2010
   01:05
   BBC World Service
5. Sat 6 Mar 2010
   06:05
   BBC World Service