Irish rock star Bono says he came to Canada for the Liberal convention to deliver a political message and as a personal favour to Paul Martin. His arrival at the convention was met with boisterous cheers from the 8,000 Liberals gathered at the Air Canada centre.

"I'm not a supporter of any political party. I like parties though," the U2 frontman joked as he kicked off his speech, which became much more serious over his 25-minute address.

"I’m not here to run for anything. I’m not here to run away from anything. I’m here because, in truth, he [Mr. Martin] and Prime Minister Jean Chretien have been very kind to me."

While Bono had several pages of notes, his focus was clear. He sent out a call to all countries of the world to help relieve Third World debt and raise money for AIDS.

"These are nervous times, these are dangerous times ... for the unlucky many who have to survive on less than a dollar a day and also for all of us, the lucky few, because like or not our fate is bound up in their futures," Bono said.

Bono talked passionately about the AIDS crisis in Africa and the need to supply some of the world's poorest citizens with low-cost drugs. Close to 30 million Africans are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

"Africa is a continent in flames and as we all know fires tend to spread," Bono said. He went on to talk about Canada's effort to combat the situation by creating legislation that would help ease the problem.

The initiative creates a legal loophole that allows poor nations to override patents on expensive drugs and order cheaper copies from generic drug manufacturers.

The rock star also told Canadians that he was a fan of the country, saying at one point that he believes "the world needs more Canada."

"The Canadian voice is hard wired in my heart. I'm a fan because a certain kind of idealism still seems to be alive in this country. You're not an insular place, you've always looked outside yourself, beyond the line of the horizon," Bono said.

Ottawa and the rock star

Bono praised both Chretien and Martin for the times they listened to him on a range of international issues as an audience of 10,000 sat spellbound.

"Paul Martin took my phone calls, he promised to help and he kept that promise," Bono said. "Jean Chretien did the same, it's not just about keeping a promise to me, it's about keeping a promise to the most vulnerable people on earth and I am grateful for that."

In the past, Chretien and Bono have worked together on the issue of debt relief for developing countries. The social activist lavished praise on Canada in a letter to Chretien after he promised low-cost drugs to African nations.

Still, he said there were many obstacles to overcome before African nations begin receiving the drugs they need to combat HIV and AIDS.

"So how I am going to return Paul Martin's favour? I'm going to become the biggest pain of his life! Paul Martin thinks he likes me. He doesn't know what he signed on for -- more lobbying about debt, begging for letters, petitions for unfair trade, phone calls about money for the global health fund," Bono said.

Low-cost drugs for poor countries remains one of Chretien's top priorities and he will be pressing the issue when he attends a Commonwealth conference in Nigeria next month.

Canada's legislation will be based on a World Trade Organization initiative designed to help poor countries deal with public health crises. The bill means Canada may become the first member of the world trade body to take action on the deal.

"Paul Martin asked me to come and offered me 15 minutes of the national airwaves to talk about what is on my mind," Bono told CFTO News ahead of his appearance.

"Canada has made some real progress recently with Chretien and Paul Martin. On the debt stuff, Paul Martin was there for me ... he always talked to me, he was very encouraging and very helpful," Bono said.

"Prime Minister Chretien was very good on trade. Now, recently they have been working on a way to get cheaper drugs to people in Africa," Bono said. "I want to applaud that, I want to have a good time, have a drink, take a walk."

Bono made it clear that he expected Martin to build on the legacy of his predecessors in the fight for equality.

"If (Martin) carries the mantle of Pearson, Trudeau and Chretien, if he joins with the groups leading this fight . . . then Canada - O Canada! - will show the world the way forward."