(November 1, 2004) Until now, there has been no concrete evidence that James Baker’s loyalties are split, or that his power as Special Presidential Envoy on Iraq’s debts has been used to benefit any of his corporate clients or employers.
Enhancing accountability at the World Bank
(October 29, 2004) There is an old saying that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”. Sadly, this is all too true when we consider the track record of the multi-lateral development banks.
Slew of corruption cases mar nations’ reputations
(October 29, 2004) When the former Costa Rican president and ex-secretary general of the Organization of American States Miguel Angel Rodriguez exited from an airplane in handcuffs earlier this month, Costa Ricans could not help but have mixed emotions.
Argentina may fail to win accord by sticking to debt terms
(October 28, 2004)Argentina may fail to win support from a majority of bondholders by refusing to change terms of its offer to restructure $100 billion of defaulted debt.
‘Environmentalists not to blame for power crisis’
(October 27, 2004) Foreign consultants like Acres International, convicted of bribery, should act as an eye opener that such firms are self-interested and not committed to developing the Third World, says environmental activist.
Debt relief difficult with TI report – DMO
(October 24, 2004) The recently released Transparency International report, which ranked Nigeria the world’s third most corrupt nation, will make it difficult for the country to secure debt relief from creditors, Nigeria’s Debt Management Office has said.
Ethiopia sees some debt cancelled
(October 24, 2004) The Paris Club of rich lending nations has agreed to cancel $758 million of Ethiopian debt to help end poverty and promote growth in the country.
Editorial: Debt relief [Philippines]
(October 24, 2004) Business leaders, with their international credibility and business reputation, are in a much better position than government ministers to make the case for debt renegotiation in the Philippines.
Iraq oil-for-food scandal hurting UN, says Annan
(October 23, 2004) UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the scandal around UN-supervised Iraqi oil sales under Saddam Hussein was hurting the image of the United Nations, as an independent body probing the program named 4,734 participating companies.
Fighting corruption alone
(October 22, 2004) The World Bank’s long, drawn-out and half-hearted response to the conviction of a Canadian company for bribery on a Bank-funded project in southern Africa suggests that developing countries, when they do get serious about corruption, are on their own.
Nigeria slams corruption ranking
(October 21, 2004) Nigeria has strongly criticised a survey which ranks it as the most corrupt country in Africa saying it is “fundamentally flawed”.
Nigeria refutes global corruption watchdog’s report
(October 21, 2004) The Nigerian government on Thursday refuted Transparency International’s (TI) annual report, describing it as “fundamentally flawed, irrelevant and of little use to reforming countries or those interested in a genuine war against corruption.”
Pinochet’s secret millions tarnish his image
(October 19, 2004) Former dictator Augusto Pinochet, admired by a quarter of Chileans, lost credibility even among his strongest supporters after the discovery of secret offshore accounts holding up to US$8 million, an opinion poll revealed.
World Bank urges leaders on values
(October 18, 2004) African governance has been "polluted by western intrusion," James Wolfensohn, the head of the World Bank, said on Friday.
Former oil-for-food chief may be charged
(October 18, 2004) American prosecutors are considering charges against Benon Sevan, the former head of the U.N. oil-for-food program, who has been accused of accepting millions of dollars in kickbacks from Saddam Hussein’s regime.


