A London Times report, carried in the Australian (22 July 2000) says that the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, has announced a 3.8% rise, on top of inflation, for the BBC World Service, giving it an extra $166 million over three years.

The report says that the British government thinks that the BBC World Service is more important to foriegn policy than any number of diplomats in embassies.

Meanwhile, the Australian government has all sold Radio Australia's transmitters, and crippled it service.

Visitors to this site may wish to draw these facts to the attention of Alexander Downer, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Prime Minister.

-- Anonymous, July 22, 2000