(January 17, 2005) A major UN report on world poverty has urged a vast increase in development aid to the world’s poorest countries.
New chance for African debt relief
(January 17, 2005) Recent agreements by the Paris Club of donor nations surrounding sovereign debt relief for Iraq as well as tsunami-hit countries represent an opportunity for progress in debt relief on the African continent as well: finance minister.
Grinding them down: Argentina’s debt
(January 17, 2005) The terms of Argentina’s debt swap are harsh. Even so, most bondholders will probably accept them.
Food aid exposes the West’s uncharitable charity
(January 15, 2005) If nothing else, the recent Indian Ocean tsunami disaster should draw attention to that other giant wave damaging Asia’s shores, the one made of all the cut-price food western countries dump on them.
It takes two
(January 14, 2005) Countries sending funds to Indonesia are right to be concerned about the exploitation of relief, but Indonesians are not the only ones who might be tempted.
Indonesia’s culture of corruption may hinder aid
(January 14, 2005) As world governments prepare to channel hundreds of millions of aid dollars to the tsunami-ravaged regions of Aceh Province, Indonesia’s culture of corruption has emerged as a major concern.
Locals on board for Argentina debt swap
(January 14, 2005) Argentina on Friday launched its historic offer to restructure $102.6 billion in defaulted debt, scoring an early but expected victory as local pension funds holding 17 percent of the bad debt signed up for the exchange.
The dictatorship of debt: The World Bank and Haiti
(January 14, 2005) The World Bank has announced it would release $73 million in cash to the government of Haiti. For Haiti to get that cash it had to pay $52 million in outstanding arrears.
Indonesia’s culture of corruption may hinder aid
(January 14, 2005) As world governments prepare to channel hundreds of millions of aid dollars to the tsunami-ravaged regions of Aceh Province, Indonesia’s culture of corruption has emerged as a major concern.
Paris Club freezes debt payments of over $3.3 billion
(January 14, 2005) Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Seychelles granted relief.
UN oil-for-food blame is shared
(January 14, 2005) The United Nations’ failings and need for reform are clear, but its accusers are part of the system they condemn.
Will debt relief work?
(January 13, 2005) The decision by the Paris Club of 19 creditor nations to offer a freeze on interest payments to Tsunami-affected nations could raise more questions than it answers.
Annan accountable for oil-for-food programme: US
(January 13, 2005) The Bush administration, which earlier backed Secretary-General Kofi Annan in the UN oil-for-food scandal, on Tuesday demanded he be held accountable for mismanagement in the programme.
‘Beyond the moratorium’ is ‘beyond the Paris Club’
(January 12, 2005) What needs to be done and what can be done about Indonesia’s foreign debt.
World Bank job
(January 11, 2005) South Asia’s tsunami death toll is a reminder of how many people remain poor and exposed to nature’s whims. What then has become of the half a trillion dollars in aid that a World Bank created to assist the poor has spent since 1946?


