UN debates $500m net aid for Third World

A Commission of IT experts working for the United Nations has called on head of the UN Kofi Annan to create a $500m treasure chest to help Third World countries connect to the internet.

Chuck Lankester, head of the Commission, claimed the fund would allow the countries to have internet access by 2004. He said internet revenue is expected to hit $700bn by 2004 and that these financially strapped countries should benefit from the net economy.

The report expressed concern that the internet was widening the divide between rich and poor countries as less than five per cent of the world population had web access.

Lankester said the findings would be presented to the G8 meeting in Okinawa next month and to the G8-lead meeting with the heads of 160 states and governments due to take place in New York in September.