(April 6, 2005) Electricite de France said on Tuesday the financing for the controversial $1.25 billion Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric dam in Laos will be completed by the end of May, allowing construction to begin in June.
Nam Theun 2 figures don’t add up
(April 5, 2005) On March 31, the World Bank executive directors approved a $50 million partial risk guarantee, a $20 million grant, and up to $200 million in political risk guarantees for the controversial Nam Theun 2 hydroelectricity project in Laos, despite a World Bank economic project analysis with very questionable assumptions.
Amnesty International urgent action
(April 5, 2005) Death Threats in Guatemala, against community leaders opposing the mining operations of GLAMIS GOLD, a CANADIAN/U.S. MINING COMPANY
Debt deal needed in weeks, not months; delays cost lives
(April 5, 2005) We reiterate our call today for the immediate debt cancellation for impoverished countries in Latin America and the Caribbean where debt is odious or impedes human development and progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Nakai plateau: dammed to oblivion
(April 5, 2005) Any doubts locals have will be of no importance now Nam Theun 2 has the backing of the 24-member panel of the World Bank and a pledge for financing from the Asian Development Bank – the plan to flood the Nakai Plateau is all but under way.
Massive dam project could backfire
(April 5, 2005) A new dam funded by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and hailed as a windfall for Laos may end up doing more harm than good to one of the world’s poorest nations and its vulnerable farmers, several independent development groups say.
Nam Theun 2 figures don’t add up
(April 5, 2005) The World Bank’s final report on Nam Theun 2 relies on key assumptions that contradict both official Thai government plans for the power sector and the findings of other World Bank- commissioned reports on NamTheun 2.
The Story of the Dahe Dam: Conclusion
(April 4, 2005) This is the concluding instalment of Three Gorges Probe’s serialization of sociologist Ying Xing’s fascinating, detailed account of the years-long struggle for redress pursued by thousands of people who were plunged deeper into poverty by the construction of the Dahe dam.
Le Banque Mondiale soutient Nam Theun 2
(April 4, 2005) Le conseil d’administration de la Banque mondiale a décidé d’apporter son soutien au financement du très controversé projet de méga-barrage hydroélectrique de Nam Theun 2 au Laos.
The wisdom of Wall
(April 2, 2005) At a signing ceremony this week authorizing $12.5 million Canadian dollars in aid to Kenya, the Canadian government warned Kenya that foreign donors were losing interest due to allegations of massive corruption.
News Release: World Bank dam will generate debt burden for Laotians
(April 1, 2005) The World Bank’s decision to finance the US$1.2 billion Nam Theun 2 hydro project will become an intractable debt burden for Laotians in years to come, warns Probe International, a Canadian-based foreign aid watchdog.
Donor talks to focus on corruption
(April 1, 2005) The government of Kenya said it would prove its "corruption-free record" at a crucial meeting with key donors in two weeks.
Canada warns Kenya against losing aid to corruption
(April 1, 2005) Canada warned yesterday that foreign donors are losing interest in helping Kenya due to mounting allegations of massive government corruption in the east African country.
PRESS RELEASE World Bank dam will generate debt burden for Laotians
(April 1, 2005) The World Bank’s decision to finance the US$1.2 billion Nam Theun 2 hydro project will become an intractable debt burden for Laotians in years to come, warns Probe International, a Canadian-based foreign aid watchdog.
PRESS RELEASE: World Bank dam will generate debt burden for Laotians
(April 1, 2005) The World Bank’s decision to finance the US$1.2 billion Nam Theun 2 hydro project will become an intractable debt burden for Laotians in years to come, warns Probe International, a Canadian-based foreign aid watchdog. "It is projects like Nam Theun 2 that eventually need debt forgiveness because they are not economically viable and they don’t generate the wealth needed to repay the loans," said Patricia Adams, Probe’s executive director and an expert on odious Third World debt.
Probe International 