(November 11, 2003) French-based Schneider calls itself one of the world’s leading manufacturers of equipment for electrical distribution, industrial control and automation. It boasts operations in 130 countries.
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Interview with the speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly, Jassem El-Kharafi
(November 10, 2003) We’re not going to make the issue of war reparations something that embitters relations and causes hatred between our two peoples.
IMF still discussing Iraqi debt
(November 9, 2003) The International Monetary Fund is still assessing how much of Iraq’s debts should be forgiven and what level of debt would be sustainable for the country scarred by years of war and isolation.
Thai utility signs electricity deal with Laos dam project.
(November 8, 2003) Thailand’s electricity authority signed an agreement committing itself to buying five billion dollars worth of electricity from the much controversial Nam Theun II hydro-electric power project in Laos.
Three Gorges shiplift resurfaces
After almost half a century of study, a decision on the design of the world’s biggest shiplift at the biggest dam has been made, the Three Gorges Project Daily (Sanxia gongcheng bao) reports.
Construction of the Three Gorges shiplift, which will be the largest in the world both in terms of height and hoisting capacity, is scheduled to start in 2005 and be completed in 2009, the newspaper said.
Dam designer calls for silt-plagued Sanmenxia to be shut down
(November 7, 2003) Celebrated water engineer Zhang Guangdou has for the first time publicly called for the disastrous Sanmenxia dam on the Yellow River, which he helped design in the 1950s, to be shut down.
U.S. Congress approves $87.5 billion for Iraq, Afghanistan
(November 7, 2003) It provides about $20 billion for Iraq in the form of a grant, despite earlier calls by members of Congress that the funds be given to Iraq in the form of a loan.
Paris Club could consider cancelling part of Iraq’s foreign debt
(November 7, 2003) The group aims to reach an agreement with Baghdad by the end of 2004, the deadline of its official moratorium on Iraq’s payments, a person close to the Paris Club told Friday’s Wall Street Journal.
Government to probe corrupt MPs
(November 6, 2003) The Guardian newspaper in London reported recently that a UK-based lobbying firm is under investigation over the Bujagali dam project.
Make Baghdad pay
(November 6, 2003) The New York Times posted an amendment to an opinion editorial published on Nov. 4 by Mark Medish, who wrote Iraq should repay its foreign debts and negotiate "an orderly, market-friendly debt repayment schedule based on financial analysis; and encourage creative solutions, including debt swaps." What the article didn’t disclose at the time of publication was that Mr. Medish, an international lawyer and former Treasury official, represents corporations that are owed money by Iraq.
Thanks for nothing
(November 6, 2003) For many Iraqis, the Madrid Donors’ Conference added insult to injury. The event was a surreal "charity" auction, selling the supposed beneficiary into bondage.
IMF weighing how much Iraq debt should be forgiven
(November 6, 2003) World Bank president James Wolfensohn has estimated that Iraq’s total debt load is around $120 billion and that at least two-thirds should be forgiven to give the country a good start at rebuilding.
Bulgaria’s $1m aid to Iraq
(November 6, 2003) But Bulgaria is not ready to cancel Iraq’s debt. "Every government represents the same country, no matter when or how it accumulated its debts, and this is a principle which must be complied with." – Foreign Minister Solomon Passi.
Bremer plans to enlarge, refocus Iraq occupation authority
(November 6, 2003) Bremer also intends to devote more attention to reducing Iraq’s debt . . . Bremer is considering several options to address the issue, including asking Bush to appoint a senior official to engage in negotiations with foreign governments.
Corruption goes unpunished
(November 5, 2003) A Canadian public lending agency that lobbied in defence of Acres International, the first multinational to be convicted in the landmark corruption trials currently underway in the southern African state of Lesotho, has said it will not bar the Canadian engineering giant from future contracts.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Patricia Adams and Lawrence Solomon
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