EURO-MP CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL 'TSUNAMI TAX'
- BRUSSELS BID LAUNCHED FOR RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT FUND

A CROSS-PARTY group of Euro-MPs has launched a parliamentary bid for an international 'tsunami tax' to fund emergency aid and ongoing development work in the world's poorest nations.

Green Party MEP for South-East England Caroline Lucas' vice-president of a new parliamentary cross-party group on globalisation inaugurated next month' said the proposed tax would be levied on international transfers of capital rather than individuals and would raise billions for development and emergency relief.

"The human catastrophe triggered by the Boxing Day tsunamis has generated an extraordinary outpouring of sympathy' generosity and grief'" she said.

"The tragedy was a natural disaster but its impact has been greatly magnified by the underdevelopment and poverty of the countries affected. As well as the massive aid required to ensure the survival of affected