(September 22, 2005) Arbitrary criteria have been used to exclude most countries from debt relief. While it may be politically expedient for powerful countries to pretend that only a small set of countries need debt cancellation, it is time to explode this myth." – Christian Aid.
UN summit falls far short of bold changes Annan sought, but took first step
(September 22, 2005) History’s largest gathering of world leaders fell far short Friday of completing the major changes UN Secretary General Kofi Annan sought to fight poverty, terrorism and human rights abuses – but the leaders took a first step.
A big idea for aiding Africa – think small
(September 21, 2005) In the lead up to the annual meetings of the World Bank this weekend in Washington, where Africa will be high on the agenda, economist Korinna Horta and Lori Pottinger of the International Rivers Network Africa program claim the bank’s plan to pursue investment in large-scale infrastructure projects for the continent needs rethinking, based on the failure of past mega-projects in Africa, such as the corruption plagued Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
Solon says debt-for-equity bound for UN veto (full article)
(September 20, 2005) A Filipino senator said there was no cause for excitement over the government’s debt-for-equity proposal to the international community saying that the United Nations was certain to veto it.
Rivers in chaos and Shanghai at risk
In a wide-ranging interview, prominent scientist Chen Guojie says he is ‘extremely worried’ about the impacts on Shanghai of a number of colossal projects on the Yangtze River, including the Three Gorges dam.
Lesotho, SA to ink deal on highlands water project
(September 19, 2005) Lesotho and South Africa will sign an agreement for the feasibility study of the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project at the Mohale Dam this week.
Cancel Iraq’s debt, says prime minister
(September 17, 2005) In his address to the recent United Nations world summit in New York, Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jafary urged creditor nations to cancel Iraqi external debt “accumulated by the corrupt policies of the previous regime.”
Cancel Iraq’s debt: PM
(September 17, 2005) Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jafary urged creditor nations to cancel Iraq’s external debt in order for Iraq to rejoin the international community, "be an asset," "participate in promoting world security," and "face the challenges of terrorism."
SNC-Lavalin deal Canada under pressure
(September 17, 2005) The Canadian government is under tremendous pressure from Probe International, which has been exposing the SNC-Lavalin controversy through a media campaign on its website.
Restructuring of Iraq debt ‘on track’
(September 16, 2005) The first phase of Iraq’s debt restructuring to repurchase and cancel, at a discount, Saddam-era claims held by commercial creditors is complete.
Akanbi reels out causes of corruption in Nigeria
(September 16, 2005) Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) fingered four major reasons why corruption caused Nigeria to be rated the third most corrupt country in the world.
First phase of Iraqi commercial debt restructuring complete
(September 16, 2005) The first phase of Iraq’s debt restructuring to repurchase and cancel, at a discount, Saddam-era claims held by commercial creditors is complete.
Officers face suits over wealth declaration
(September 16, 2005) Public officers who have not declared their wealth may from next week find police officers knocking at their doors, ready to bundle them off to court.
Serious Fraud Office to look into BAE link with Pinochet
(September 16, 2005) The Serious Fraud Office is expected to launch an investigation into disclosures that the arms company BAE secretly paid more than £1m to the former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.
Ex-dictator Pinochet escapes prosecution yet again
(September 16, 2005) A day after Chile’s Supreme Court opened the way for a third major trial against the 89-year-old ex-dictator Augusto Pinochet, his lawyers won another round in their efforts to protect him from prosecution for human rights abuses by his regime.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
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