(October 11, 2002) Arguments were heard this week in Lesotho’s High Court during the sentencing trial of Acres International.
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PRESS RELEASE: Canadian multinational convicted in Africa: Judgment in corruption trial handed down
(October 9, 2002) The Judgment in Rex v Acres International, the first in the world’s most important international corruption trials, was handed down today in the tiny south African Kingdom of Lesotho. The written decision is now available on-line.
Protests halt vital wastewater-treatment project in Chongqing
Work on a wastewater-treatment system that must be finished before the Three Gorges reservoir is filled next year has been halted because of angry protests by citizens demanding higher compensation, the Chongqing Morning Post reports.
Laos signs $2-bn deal for Nam Theun II dam
(October 4, 2002) Government of Laos signed a concession agreement with developer, Nam Theun 2 Power Company, for its controversial Nam Theun 2 dam. [The dam’s developers are now in their eighth year of trying to work out a deal with Thailand and the World Bank.]
Senate to probe waste plant allegations
(October 4, 2002) A Senate committee will investigate a list of alleged irregularities in connection with the construction of the Klong Dan waste-treatment plant after a former engineer on the project lodged a petition to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Abacha Loot Deal: A Global Shame
(October 1, 2002) The incidence of looting public money and stashing it in western financial institutions is a global problem and developing/developed countries as well as international organizations are at loss on how to stem or control the phenomenon.
Corruption corrodes Development Banks
(October 1, 2002) Scandal rages around alleged bribery in Lesotho, where the World Bank is financing Africa’s largest water project.
Canadian engineering multinational to be sentenced today in world’s largest corruption case
(October 1, 2002) Canadian engineering multinational Acres International is expected to be sentenced today in Lesotho’s High Court.
Canadian Acres caught in Lesotho bribing scandal
(October 1, 2002) In an unprecedented case, a Canadian engineering company has suffered the humiliation of being the first multinational to be fined for bribing its way into a World Bank-funded dam project in the small mountain kingdom of Lesotho.
Giant Congo hydroelectric project is a ‘betrayal’
(September 30, 2002) The heart of darkness could soon be lighting up Africa. There are plans to build the world’s largest hydroelectric project on the Congo river and connect it to a continent-wide electricity grid.
ABB kan dömas för korruption
(September 29, 2002) Article appearing in Swedish newspaper examining ABB’s connection to the corruption trials in Lesotho.
Fatal accident, forced eviction as resettlement drive speeds up
Chinese media report a fatal accident, a forced eviction – and an official’s chilling threat that next year floodwater could be used to oust reluctant migrants.
World Bank and IMF Fiddle While Africa Burns
(September 25, 2002) Africa Action Warns of Exploding Debt Crisis; Issues New Recommendations for Creditors.
Lesotho water a time bomb
(September 25, 2002) Besides Acres, Lesotho judicial authorities have also accused Italy’s Impregilo, French consortium Sogreah, Coyne and Cegelec, Spie Batignoles, Swiss-Swedish firm ABB, Germany’s Lahmeyer, Britain’s Alexander Gibb & Partners.
Letter to the Editor: Respect due to Lesotho’s judiciary
(September 24, 2002) It is time for the World Bank to take action against companies convicted of corruption. Declaring Acres ineligible to receive Bank-financed contracts is the way to start, says IRN’s Ryan Hoover.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
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Probe International 