Mbeki accuses Britain of poaching skilled people

President Thabo Mbeki has sparred with the British government over what he calls its poaching of South Africa's skilled workers. He suggested Britain should train more people so that both countries could benefit. Independent Online reports that Mbeki was answering questions at a function in London where he is visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair. In their meeting, Mbeki and Blair mainly discussed progress in carrying out promises the international community made in 2005 to advance Africa’s development. Blair's chief scientific adviser, David King, said Africa was losing a net 100-thousand skilled people a year to countries in the northern hemisphere.