8 states to get $50m to fight trafficking: Bush

The countries are Brazil, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Moldova, Sierra Leone and Tanzania, the State Department said in a statement.

It said that to underscore US commitment to freeing people from modern-day slavery, Bush selected these countries for the "strategic anti-trafficking in persons assistance" programme.

"These countries face significant challenges with human trafficking, and they have been receptive to anti-trafficking cooperation," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

Bush had pledged the money at the United Nations General Assembly last year as additional funding to support organisations that rescue women and children from bondage and give them shelter and medical treatment in 2004.

The State Department is coordinating this initiative, and some money is being distributed to fund projects, Boucher said.

He said so-called "anti-trafficking-in-persons projects" will be implemented by non-governmental organisations and US agencies working abroad under the program.

The projects will focus primarily on fighting sex slavery, the fastest-growing category of trafficking, by increasing criminal prosecutions while rescuing, rehabilitating and reintegrating trafficking victims.

The goal is to build the capacity of non-governmental organisations and to work in partnership with governments in each country, Boucher said.

President Bush's initiative is in addition to other funds provided by the US to fight human trafficking, including about 70 million dollars in programmes abroad in the last fiscal year, Boucher said.

Meanwhile, the United States has a "particular duty" to lead the worldwide fight against illicit trade in persons for sex and forced labour, President George W. Bush said Friday, singling out Cuba as one of the world's worst violators.