Original sentence: He also announced an end to the DFID-funded Small Grants Scheme,  the only aid Britain gave to this,  one of the world's poorest countries.On 15 December 2004 the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, announced the closure of the British Embassy in Antananarivo to save £250,000 a year.The Anglo-Malagasy Society are campaigning to have it re-opened once again.The British Embassy was previously closed (also for financial reasons) from 1975 to 1980.The Embassy closed in August 2005 despite petitions and protests from African Heads of State, a European Commissioner, the Malagasy Senate, many British companies, 30 or so NGOs operating in Madagascar, and members of the public
Edited sentence: Despite petitions and protests from African Heads of State, a European Commissioner, the Malagasy Senate,  National Assembly, Rio Tinto,  Imperial Tobacco, other British companies, and the 30 or so NGOs operating in Madagascar,  and members of the public with links with Madagascar the Embassy closed in August 2005.It last happened in 1975 - only to re-open in 1980 after the Conservative election victory.On 15 December 2004 the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, announced the closure of the British Embassy in Antananarivo - to save £250,000 a year - and an end to the DFID-funded Small Grants Scheme,  the only aid Britain gave to this,  one of the world's poorest countries,  where 70% of the population of 17 million live in abject poverty.The Anglo-Malagasy Society are running an active campaign to have the Embassy re-opened,  and are confident of eventual success.This is not the first time the British Embassy has closed - for financial reasons