(October 26, 2007) The World Bank should conduct a "full, independent peer review" on the odious debts discussion paper it released last month, say an alliance of civil society NGOs that includes Eurodad and the Jubilee Debt Campaign. The alliance, in a letter sent to the bank in early October, call the paper "far below what is needed" and argue not only that the paper is one-sided, but that it is missing significant sources and arguments. It further states that the paper is "largely dismissive of the concept of odious debt" and "omits important cases where the concept has been recognized."
REVIEW The concept of odious debt in public international law
(October 26, 2007) The Norwegian government has funded two studies looking into the concept of odious debts. One was conducted by the World Bank, the other by University of Michigan international economic law expert, Professor Howse.
The Three Gorges: a wiser approach
(October 23, 2007) China’s central government recently warned of a potential ecological catastrophe caused by the huge Three Gorges dam, once hailed as the country’s greatest undertaking in 1,000 years. Jianqiang Liu reports on how views of the project have changed.
Legal scholars set to change the world
(October 20, 2007) In November 2004, Paris Club creditors canceled an unprecedented 80% of the debts they had lent to the regime of Saddam Hussein, catapulting the development of the Doctrine of Odious Debts forward. Now, legal scholars are identifying the many legal principles and precedents supporting lender liability and ensuring that odious debts are never created again.
REVIEW The dilemma of odious debts
(October 20, 2007) If you haven’t read this paper (it’s been circulating on the Internet for some months and is posted here in abstract) then you’re in for a treat. Entertaining, clear and compelling, “The Dilemma of Odious Debts” is an unusual entry to the canon because the authors argue that while challenging odious debts under public international law is most likely hopeless, resorting to private domestic law is very hopeful.
History in the making: legislation to cancel unjust debt
(October 20, 2007) The U.S. Congress is to consider far-reaching debt-relief legislation that seeks to dissolve the debts of 67 of the world’s poorest countries owed to the United States, other official creditors in the Paris Club, the IMF, World Bank and other international financial institutions.
Fearing odious debt challenges, the World Bank attempts to dismiss the legal concept
(October 20, 2007) The World Bank’s controversial discussion paper on odious debt released last month has been met with disbelief and scorn. A review by Probe International’s executive director, Patricia Adams, concludes that it “is not a serious treatment of the rigorous scholarly debate now occurring over the concept of odious debts.”
What corruption?
(October 20, 2007) While the World Bank refuses to tackle head-on evidence of project graft exposed by its own graft-finding watchdog, revelations of project rot keep on coming.
China counts cost of Three Gorges Dam
(October 19, 2007) China’s official news agency Xinhua reported last month that disaster could strike the Three Gorges dam region unless key problems — including landslides and bank erosion — are solved. Probe International’s executive director, Patricia Adams, and International Fellow, Dai Qing, assess the change in government rhetoric after years of assurances the dam is environmentally benign.
Ecology damage report refuted
(October 19, 2007) A top Three Gorges project planner Thursday refuted media reports that the ecology in the dam area has been damaged, stressing that environmental protection has always been a priority. "While environmental impact is inevitable, we should recognize that the project has brought more ecological benefit than harm," Li Yong’an said, adding that he was surprised to read reports about "played-up" hidden ecological dangers last month.
EU, World Bank to help China clean Yellow, Yangtze rivers
(October 17, 2007) EU, World Bank to help China clean Yellow, Yangtze rivers.
The Dam Breaks – China can no longer deny the environmental disaster at Three Gorges
(October 15, 2007) As recently as 2004, the official China Daily was still emitting happy talk about the Three Gorges project’s "achievements in environmental protection of the area." But now comes word that the warnings of Dai Qing and others were true.
Voice against the tide
(October 13, 2007) Often cited as China’s foremost investigative journalist, the woman who for almost 20 years has championed opposition to the massive Three Gorges dam is about to arrive in Australia to complete what she muses may be her life’s work.
INTERVIEW-China may expand environmental watchdog early ’08
(October 13, 2007) SEPA, China’s environmental watchdog, could be expanded or given Cabinet-level status by March to enforce policies aimed at fighting chronic pollution, a top Chinese government adviser said on Friday.
Three Gorges dam may displace millions more
(October 12, 2007) The recent announcement by Chinese officials that a new relocation plan is necessary to protect the Three Gorges dam reservoir area has prompted the concern of critics. Probe International’s Grainne Ryder points out that the first resettlement program was never properly assessed and that "local officials are in the dark" for this second move, which "will likely provoke more conflict and social unrest."
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
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