GLENEAGLES, Scotland (CP) - Paul Martin kicks off the G8 summit Wednesday by meeting three of the world's most powerful men - two politicians and a rock star.

The prime minister is first set to sit down with the leaders of Germany and Japan, officials said Wednesday, aboard his plane en route to the summit.

Then it's a chat with Bono of the mega-band U2, who has led a campaign to relieve Third World debt.

The esteem in which Bono is held by Martin was revealed when an official announced the meetings.

The official said the prime minister would be holding bilateral meetings with "Germany, Japan and Bono."