Bono goes to the White House

U2's "War" Album (1983)

U2 meets US president George W Bush Bono has met US President George W Bush at the White House. The U2 singer spoke to the President over lunch (October 19), where the pair discussed the G8 and combating AIDS. White House press spokesperson Scott McClellan said: "Bono is in town for some concerts. This meeting with Bono follows up on their discussion at Gleneagles during the G8 summit that took place in Scotland. They (had) a very good discussion at the G8 about our common priorities.

Both share a deep commitment to combating AIDS, preventing malaria, and expanding trade to lift people out of poverty, particularly in developing countries.

"(Bono)'s someone who has a lot of influence and is committed to helping people who are in need, and lifting people out of poverty, and helping those who are suffering from AIDS. And those are priorities that the President shares. And so they've had some discussions over the last few years, and we appreciate the opportunity to visit with him."

Speaking recently about meeting with world leaders, Bono said he had nothing to fear. He explained: "They should be afraid, because they will be held accountable for what happened on their watch. I'm representing the poorest and the most vulnerable people. On a spiritual level, I have that with me. I'm throwing a punch, and the fist belongs to people who can't be in the room, whose rage, whose anger, whose hurt I represent. The moral force is way beyond mine, it's an argument that has much more weight than I have. So I'm not feeling nervous."

U2 are in Washington as part of their ongoing world tour.

source: nme