Bono's plea to make poverty history

U2 played in Scotland earlier this week, but it won't be the last those parts will see of frontman Bono. Bono told the crowd in Glasgow on Tuesday (June 21) that he plans to show up in Edinburgh on July 6 to join the public protests that are expected to accompany the G8 meeting of world leaders taking place that day.

Bono preceded a performance of the song "One" with a fiery speech about the global movement to eradicate poverty: "This is the year and this is the moment. Make Poverty History is only a slogan, but behind it is sense. This is the start of the 21st century. We can eliminate apartheid, slavery, and poverty, and make sure that the journey to equality goes on. If you can't make it to Hyde Park (for Live 8), there'll be a party in the streets of Edinburgh, and I'll be here for it."

U2 will play the London Live 8 show on July 2, along with Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, The Who, Velvet Revolver, Sting and others.

In Scotland, Bono again praised British finance chancellor Gordon Brown for his efforts to forgive Third World debt: "I don't normally give credit to politicians, but he did that and he deserves thanks."

U2 continue their European tour on Friday, June 24, with the first of three homecoming shows at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. The group kick off the second leg of its North American tour in Toronto on September 12, 2005.