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OTTAWA - U2 rocker Bono is feeling the sting of betrayal and is calling on Canadians to storm the office of PM Paul Martin with protest phone calls.
In an interview that airs this morning on CBC Radio's The House, the Irish singer blasts his buddy for reneging on a promise to reach a foreign aid goal of 0.7% of GDP.
"We were looking for Canada to lead rather than be a laggard," Bono said, adding he's "bewildered" and "disappointed" by the PM's just-released international policy statement.
Capping off Martin's brutal week on the brink of political destruction, Bono bashes the PM for failing to deliver adequate aid cash while Canada enjoys a surplus economy.
Accusing Martin of trying to "hold up history," the rocker broadcasts the PMO switchboard number (613-992-4211) and asks Canadians to call in to register their complaint.
"It's not just about me being a nuisance," he said. "This is about Canada's identity in the world."
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U2 plays in Ottawa on Nov. 25.
The date was announced following a massive lobbying effort that came to a happy ending after Martin gave Bono a call and told him to to play here -- Bono agreed and fans went wild.
Last year, the rocker appeared in town just days before the federal election was called to sing Martin's praises.
In the CBC interview from Vancouver, Bono says he remains a fan of Canada -- and Canadian beer -- and said he still likes Martin "enormously." But he accuses the PM of losing sight of what's important when he crunches the budget numbers.
"This is what's upsetting about this, is it feels like business as usual," he said.
Last week, after the Liberal government unveiled its long-awaited foreign policy review, Martin said Canada is not in a position to make an "unalterable guarantee" the country could reach the 0.7% target by 2015.
Bono doesn't buy it, calling it "wrong" and pointing out that Germany, Britain and France have already agreed to the target.
Not honouring commitments is like "renegotiating your deal with God downwards," he said.
Bono did offer some praise for Martin's contributions to fight disease in developing countries, aid Africa and forgive debt owed by the poorest nations. He hopes Martin will follow his heart and ultimately "do the right thing."