http://today.reuters.com/news/newsa...L25208257_RTRUKOC_0_US-BONO-MERKEL.xml&rpc=22
DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel courted Irish rock star Bono in Davos on Wednesday and promised to meet him later in the year, probably in September.
Bono, a self-styled champion of the world's poor, in turn said he was "delighted" with her keynote speech to the World Economic Forum of global business leaders and policy makers.
He said he was honored newly elected Merkel saw him immediately after her address -- before Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Mohamed ElBaradei, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Their meeting was short and Merkel was heard promising to meet the U2 singer, wearing a cowboy hat and rose-tinted glasses, at greater length later in the year.
In particular, Bono welcomed Merkel's repetition of Germany's commitment, despite financial pressures, to spend 0.7 of its national income on development by 2015, a goal of the United Nations, and more recently, the European Union.
"It is a signal to all other European leaders that this is still a topic people care about," Bono told Reuters.
"The Europeans know the Germans keep their word. So she has kept Germany's word in the world ...," he said.
(Additional reporting by Carmel Crimmins)
DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel courted Irish rock star Bono in Davos on Wednesday and promised to meet him later in the year, probably in September.
Bono, a self-styled champion of the world's poor, in turn said he was "delighted" with her keynote speech to the World Economic Forum of global business leaders and policy makers.
He said he was honored newly elected Merkel saw him immediately after her address -- before Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Mohamed ElBaradei, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Their meeting was short and Merkel was heard promising to meet the U2 singer, wearing a cowboy hat and rose-tinted glasses, at greater length later in the year.
In particular, Bono welcomed Merkel's repetition of Germany's commitment, despite financial pressures, to spend 0.7 of its national income on development by 2015, a goal of the United Nations, and more recently, the European Union.
"It is a signal to all other European leaders that this is still a topic people care about," Bono told Reuters.
"The Europeans know the Germans keep their word. So she has kept Germany's word in the world ...," he said.
(Additional reporting by Carmel Crimmins)
She's petting him. "Here, Bono puppy. Such a good puppy. Yes you are! yes you are!" 
