(August 26, 2004) It was supposed to be oil for food in Iraq, but the largest humanitarian program ever launched by the United Nations turns out to have been grease for friends – Saddam Hussein’s friends.
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Banks ‘laundered’ Iraq oil for food payments
(August 26, 2004) Two European banks were yesterday accused by the US Treasury Department of helping Saddam Hussein launder money stolen from the UN oil-for-food programme.
Terrorism and rising crime hound Iraq, says Allawi
(August 25, 2004) Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi called for Iraq’s national debt – the highest in the world as a percentage of GDP – to be largely forgiven "so that future generations of Iraqis are not made to suffer for the wrongs of the Saddam regime.
Terrorist Stocks?
(August 25, 2004) The biggest public pension funds in the U.S., having wrestled with everything from apartheid to tobacco to corporate governance, have a new issue to worry over.
New World Bank strategy proposes $550 million for dams in India
(August 24, 2004) The World Bank Board of Directors will decide on a new Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for India on Thursday, August 26. In this strategy, the World Bank proposes to double loans to India, and to spend $550 million on new dams in 2005-08.
Hydro dam threatens elephants
(August 24, 2004) The inundation and degradation of a large part of the Nakai Plateau would eliminate 95% of the wetlands, almost all mineral licks and large areas of forests and grasslands that are essential habitat for the Nakai elephants.
The Mekong’s toothless guardian
(August 24, 2004) Can the Mekong be preserved without a functioning body to oversee it? The Mekong River Commission is in place, but is it strong enough to put
pressure on Beijing?
U.N. chief backs body to compensate war victims
(August 23, 2004) U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan backs a permanent U.N. body that would provide reparations for victims of wars.
Elephants and the Nam Theun 2 dam
(August 23, 2004) The Nakai plateau allows elephants to maintain widespread seasonal movements on a landscape scale. The proposed Nam Theun 2 dam would destroy these special conditions, forever.
Tiny Laos in the spotlight over landmark power project
(August 22, 2004) Despite assurances by the foreign investors, the International Rivers Network and several other groups maintain the planned dam could pollute or choke waterways in the untamed region and displace impoverished farming communities.
Mega told to swear in anticorruption judges
(August 21, 2004) The Supreme Court has asked President Megawati Soekarnoputri to swear in Anticorruption Court judges to speed up the trial of corruption cases.
World Bank reviews policy on oil
(August 20, 2004) The World Bank has adopted new financing regulations aimed at preventing corrupt leaders from shoring up their regimes using oil and gas revenue, it announced this week.
Cambodia hopes to woo investors
(August 20, 2004) Cambodia has promised reform in an effort to attract foreign investors. Prime Minister Hun Sen said the government will reduce costs for businesses, cut bureaucracy and strengthen the rule of law. Dramatic falls in foreign direct investment, criticisms from the World Bank over corruption and a fall in the forecast growth rate prompted the move.
Editorial: Ending corruption helps end poverty
(August 20, 2004) A squeaky-clean reputation for business and government is usually an excellent guide to a country’s prosperity and economic openness. The Apec Business Advisory Council has put the fight against corruption at the top of its list of key issues.
Schroeder pledges to help rebuild Iraq
(August 18, 2004) Chancellor Schroeder said today that the German government is ready to "substantially" reduce Iraq’s debts to Germany to ensure more funds were put to the post-war reconstruction of the country.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
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Probe International 