(March 28, 2004) Iraq is heading for economic meltdown under the weight of its $310 billion international debt and reparations bill.
Other News Sources
Former premier protected money from president, says banker
(March 25, 2004) In a landmark money-laundering trial in a U.S. court, former Ukrainian Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko stands accused of using U.S. banks to launder at least $114 million in money stolen from the Ukraine. Lazarenko insists the proceeds were earned legally and that he is being persecuted for having mounted a political challenge to Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma ahead of a 1999 election.
Malaysians want a ‘clean’ Cabinet
(March 25, 2004) Pressure is growing on newly-elected Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to appoint people to his Cabinet who are corruption-free.
Dammed and dying: The Mekong and its communities face a bleak future
(March 25, 2004) One of the world’s greatest rivers has been reduced to a trickle in places by a series of giant Chinese dams and engineering works which are threatening the livelihoods of up to 100 million people in south-east Asia.
Chinese dams blamed for Mekong’s bizarre flow
(March 25, 2004) Giant Chinese dams on the headwaters of the mighty Mekong River in southeast Asia are being blamed for sudden bizarre fluctuations in the flow of the river in recent weeks.
End of an era for Antigua dynasty
(March 24, 2004) New prime minister promises to end the corruption endemic in the eastern Caribbean nation.
Why needs may not succeed, World Bank
(March 24, 2004) This month, the World Bank formally reopened a corruption investigation against a leading Canadian engineering company convicted in the high court of Lesotho over multibillion-dollar bribery charges.
UK corruption allegations ‘not investigated’
(March 24, 2004) Allegations of bribery and corruption by British companies and individuals overseas are far more common than published government figures suggest, an investigation by the Financial Times has found.
Canadians pledge new investment
(March 23, 2004) A Canadian trade delegation has pledged to get more investors for Kenya. Members of the delegation said the country had made improvements in the investment climate.
Activists prod World Bank on Canadian corruption case
(March 23, 2004) "This is a monumental case for the future of corruption in international development projects, especially World Bank projects" and a "moment of truth" for the World Bank, said Patricia Adams of Canadian group Probe International.
UN awaiting reply from Iraq on alleged corruption in oil-for-food program
(March 23, 2004) The United Nations is awaiting reply from the Iraqi Governing Council on allegations of corruption in the UN-run oil-for-food humanitarian operation, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday.
Hard currency
The duplication, waste and inefficiencies of the worldwide aid business are largely a consequence of unilateralism – that is, of the unwillingness of many donor countries . . . to coordinate development projects within the countries they aid
Crown v. Lahmeyer International GmbH (PDF file)
(March 22, 2004) The Crown has noted a cross-appeal in respect of four of the counts on which Lahmeyer was acquitted. It also seeks to appeal against what it claims to be the leniency of the sentences imposed.
Crooked company snubs Lesotho
(March 21, 2004) Acres International has snubbed the impoverished kingdom of Lesotho by not paying a R13 million fine after being convicted of corruption and bribery.
Russian oil giant returns to Baghdad
(March 19, 2004) Russia hopes to regain a $5 billion contract to develop the West Qurna-2 oil deposit, a contract that was renounced shortly before the beginning of the U.S.-led military campaign to oust Hussein.


