Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane has issued an urgent call to the world’s highly indebted poor countries (HIPC) to close ranks and refuse to service their debt to the G-8 countries.

“The G-8 summit, held in Japan last week, was not only the most expensive but a slap in the face to the many poor countries that have already paid the capital amount owed several time over. In South Africa our servicing of odious debts incurred by the apartheid regime is the second highest item on our national budget. We must, in the interest of the whole world, divert the R48-billion we repay annually to fighting AIDS and developing our country. It is the best way to turn the African Renaissance from a political catchphrase to reality.

“If the wealthy G-8 countries lack the will to cross the Rubicon, we must take the initiative. It is time for us to recognise that we are dealing with the same colonialists who have never acted voluntarily in our interest.”

Ndungane said the more developed of the emerging nations had understood the wealthy countries’ concerns regarding good governance.

“This is precisely why we were so patient regarding the conditions to qualify for debt relief. These were in terms of an initiative announced at last year’s G-7 summit and the intention was to cut the debt burden by $100 billion. But that momentum has fizzled out. As fat cat negotiators delay the process and attend summits that cost as much as it costs to put 12 million children in a poor country in school, people – not obscure statistics – are dying like flies. The AIDS issue alone should have given some impetus to their sense of a moral imperative.

The archbishop is a patron Jubilee 2000 International, Jubilee 2000 Africa and Jubilee 2000 Southern Africa. He added that while he fully backed statements issued by the organisation this week-end he was convinced that the time had come to act.

“Steve Biko, one of my greatest heroes, used to say, ‘Black Man you are on your own’. He was right and we must seize the initiative now. Within the South African context, the G-8 summit was a slap in our State President’s face, especially in light of his appeals regarding the eradication of poverty ”

Ndungane pointed out that the British – who alone among the wealthy country seemed concerned about the plight of the HIPC countries – had pointed the way by refusing to service their post-World War 2 debts.

Issued by Tulleken & Associates on behalf of the Archbishop of Cape Town. Agency contact Loraine Tulleken (011) 839 1058 0r 083 602 5010

______________________________

Neville Gabriel
National Secretary
Jubilee 2000 South Africa
c/o SACBC
PO Box 941
PRETORIA
0001
South Africa
Tel. +27 (0)12 323 6458
Cell. +27 (0)83 449 3934
Fax. +27 (0)12 326 6218
E-mail: j2000sec@sn.apc.org
http://www.aidc.org.za/j2000
http://jubileesouth.net

Tulleken & Associates, Jubilee 2000 South Africa, July 26, 2000