(June 26, 2003) ‘The real danger comes from active faults in the vicinity of the dam site,’ which is located near six fault lines, a senior engineer warns in a recent Chinese newspaper report.
Other News Sources
Iraqi debt debate
(June 26, 2003) Russia will not cancel Iraq’s debt accumulated during the rule of ousted leader Saddam Hussein, the speaker of the State Duma, Gennady Seleznyov, said in remarks published Wednesday.
Iraqi reconstruction efforts target
(June 26, 2003) by Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State "Once we have a better estimate of the true level of Iraq’s debt and its underlying payment capacity, we can move forward to develop a comprehensive strategy to deal with Iraq’s official debt," says Randal Quarles.
U.S. may spare Bulgaria sanctions over stand on war crimes court
(June 25, 2003) Finance Minister Milen Velchev has talked with U.S. officials about three possible options for settling of US$1,7 bn Iraqi debt to Bulgaria – US-offered compensation, partial repayments by oil deliveries and negotiating a resettlement of the Iraqi debt.
U.S. faces daunting task on building Iraqi economy
(June 25, 2003) Basil al-Rahim, founder of the Washington-based Iraq Foundation, has its own guidelines for rebuilding Iraq, called the "Phoenix Plan." The plan advocates wiping away a big chunk of Iraq’s debts – as was done after World War II for Germany.
Letter from 40 NGOs from 21 Countries to World Bank President
(June 24, 2003) Without public disclosure of the underlying financial agreements for the Nam Theun 2 dam project, there is no way for the people of Lao PDR or Thailand to know whether or not this project is, as proponents claim, in their best interest.
Claiming the spoils of war
(July 23, 2003) How and when will Bulgaria be paid the almost US$2 billion owed to it by Iraq? This is a serious matter for Bulgaria’s finance minister Milen Veltchev and he scoffs at any discussions of forgiveness because of ‘odious debt’ arguments.
Thailand’s Attorney General Questions NT2 Deal
(June 23, 2003) Attorney General questions Laotian deal, says several clauses too costly or risky.
Bush freezing out the world
(June 23, 2003) On the question of forgiving debts to free up funds for Iraq’s battered infrastructure, World Bank president James Wolfensohn said the common attitude is, "You bombed it. You fix it."
Russia may help Iraq debt burden
(June 23, 2003) Russia has signalled its willingness to join global efforts to write off or reschedule Iraq’s staggering debt burden. Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov told the Wall Street Journal that Russia would "do its part" to help Iraq.
Letters to the Editor: How to establish criteria for debt
(June 23, 2003) Chris Gilbert, of the San Francisco Bay Area Jubilee Coalition, responds to a recent Financial Times editorial on Iraq’s debt, that asserts using the notion of "odious debt" as a basis for cancelling debt is unworkable.
Thailand’s Attorney General Questions NT2 Deal
(June 23, 2003) Attorney General questions Laotian deal, says several clauses too costly or risky.
Iraqi debt, like war, divides the west
(June 22, 2003) An international Iraqi debt commission of financial "wise men" should be established to examine all claims and to disallow debt used for state security or military aggression, write David Mulford and Michael Monderer.
IMF has not worked out its stance on settlement of Iraqi foreign debt
(June 20, 2003) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has not formulated its position concerning the settlement of the Iraqi foreign debt, said IMF deputy managing director Ann Krueger at a press conference.
U.S. seeks regional cooperation for vision of Middle East prosperity
(June 19, 2003) Iraq’s "debt issue as such" will not be covered at the upcoming World Economic Forum in Amman later this month, says U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs, Alan Larson.


