(September 10, 2004) As the United States, the United Nations, and the Iraqi Governing Council struggle to determine what form Iraq’s next government should take, there is one question that, more than any other, may prove critical to the country’s future: how to handle its vast oil wealth.
Contribution to the final report on the Sept. 7 consultation in Paris (France): Nam Theun 2 dam
(September 9, 2004) Invited by the World Bank to attend a day of consultation on the Nam Theun 2 dam project, the Lao Movement for Human Rights (LMHR) elegation came away dissatisfied with the answers they were given.
Iraqi president, starting Europe tour, optimistic about election
(September 9, 2004) Iraqi President Ghazi Al-Yawar began a European tour Wednesday in Germany voicing optimism that elections in his country would go ahead by the end of January as scheduled and appealing for more help with debt relief.
Iraq calls for big debt write-off in Berlin talks
(September 9, 2004) Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawer renewed calls for a big write-off of his country’s massive foreign debt at talks Thursday with German leaders in Berlin.
IMF sees Iraq economic program before end-2004
(September 9, 2004) The International Monetary Fund says Iraq could have an IMF-backed economic program with financing in place by the end of 2004 following "good progress" made in talks last week in Paris.
Chinese officials embezzling billions in state assets, fleeing the country
(September 9, 2004) According to the latest official count, some 4,000 senior Chinese officials and managers of state-owned businesses have fled abroad over the past two decades with as much as $50 billion dollars in embezzled money.
Equatorial Guinea’s oil boom leaves poor behind
(September 8, 2004) The subject of corruption is taboo in Equatorial Guinea’s tightly-controlled media, but some of the government’s publicised spending choices are enough to set tongues wagging.
Iraq debt relief talks deadlocked
(September 9, 2004) The United States’ campaign for a rapid write-off of almost all of Iraq’s foreign debt is going nowhere for now, sources say.
Mayan Indians seize disputed Guatemalan dam
(September 8, 2004) Hundreds of Maya Indians have seized control of Guatemala’s largest dam and have warned they would cut power supplies if they are not compensated for land and lives lost in massacres when it was built.
Friends of the Earth?
(September 7, 2004) Western conservationists back Indochina’s largest, most environmentally destructive hydro scheme.
King to rally support for Iraq debt reduction – Jordan
(September 7, 2004) His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday said Jordan will continue supporting international efforts to help rebuild Iraq and reduce its foreign debt.
Drowned, not downed, trees in the Amazon get nasty
(September 7, 2004) A funny thing happened back when the Brazilian government was building the giant $8 billion dam that bears the name of this town in the eastern Amazon.
A way of life threatened
(September 7, 2004) The Nam Theun 2 dam will double water levels in central Laos’ Xe Bang Fai River and destroy the self-sufficient lifestyle of thousands of people living along its banks, writes Mekong environmental researcher Dave Hubbel.
‘We demand respect for our rights as a people’
(September 7, 2004) The Guatemalan government and the World Bank must resolve damages caused by the Chixoy dam, say activists.
Outside expert did business with dictator
(September 7, 2004) Senate investigation reveals Riggs Bank independent consultant on Equatorial Guinea was a business partner of the country’s dictator, Teodoro Obiang Nguema, the bank’s biggest depositor.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
Other News Sources
Probe International 