Silvio Berlusconi, Italian Prime Minister

Berlusconi’s latest planned budget cut has not let people indifferent.

Singers Bono, Annie Lenox, Jovanotti, Miguel Bose, Antonello Venditti and actors Colin Firth, Scarlet Johansson and Gael Garcia Bernal have sent an open letter to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi regarding his intention of drastically cutting the amount of money Italy gives to poor countries every year.The letter was published in the business newspaper “Il Sole 24 Ore” and makes an appeal to Berlusconi’s sense of responsibility.

The senders point out that cutting those funds will cause a great loss of credibility for Italy, which would be quite prejudicial; especially that Italy is scheduled to host a G-8 summit next summer.

This year, Italy has already reduced funds for the development of poor countries by 170 million euros and Berlusconi’s plan would mean a reduction of other 400 million.

The artists have mentioned that, despite the world crisis, other countries of G-8, such as France and Spain, have respected the norms established and kept the funds at the level they are supposed to be.