(March 7, 2004) According to Harvard-educated Ali Allawi, Iraq’s first trade minister in the post-Saddam Hussein era, the country urgently needs to establish stability, and then can work to forge new economic bonds across the region and the world.
The ‘odious debt’ principle morally justified
(March 6, 2004) The principle that foreign debts incurred by an autocratic leader do not have to be paid back by a successor government – is back on the international agenda.1 As it stands, though, his renewed interest in the ‘odious debt’ principle lacks a thorough normative assessment.
We’ll conquer corruption, declares Nevers Mumba
(March 6, 2004) We want to win the fight against corruption at all costs but we will also ensure that fair justice is given to those implicated. We want justice in our fight against corruption and our men and women in the courts of law are aware of the challenge.
Public trust in government’s anti-corruption efforts rates low
(March 5, 2004) They’ve promised robust economic reform, a better future for the masses and honest, upright government. But the latest generation of Chinese leaders keeps colliding with a problem that won’t go away: People simply don’t trust them.
Haiti’s debt of independence
(March 5, 2004) A fight for leadership in the Caribbean nation of Haiti has plunged the Western hemisphere’s poorest country into further turmoil. The only nation in history to successfully overthrow enslavement, Haiti may also have been one of the developing world’s first heavily indebted countries.
Japan considers forgiving part of Iraq’s debt, Nikkei reports
(March 5, 2004) Japan’s government is considering forgiving at least $3 billion of the $7 billion owed to it by Iraq, the Nikkei English News reported, without saying where it obtained the information.
Official corruption scenes roil Mexico
(March 4, 2004) “The fundamental problem of our country – corruption – hasn’t been solved. . . . As long as there is corruption, we can’t get ahead.” – Mexico City Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
2004 Asia corruption ratings
(March 4, 2004) According to an enquiry conducted by Political & Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd, a well-known Hong Kong consulting group, Indonesia, India and Vietnam are considered the three most corrupt countries in Asia.
Must the show go on?
(March 4, 2004)With Aristide seemingly ousted, American and French troops have once again landed in Haiti to run the island’s affairs, writes Gamal Nkrumah.
World Bank president eyes Iraq debt relief
(March 4, 2004) Creditors are likely to forgive $80 billion to $90 billion of Iraq’s $120 billion debt owed to donor nations, said World Bank President James Wolfensohn.
Did Saddam Hussein buy support in Russia and the West?
(March 4, 2004) Roman Kupchinsky, editor of the weekly "Crime, Corruption & Terrorism Watch" report published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, investigates the Al-Mada newspaper expose that named nearly 270 individuals, companies and organizations allegedly given oil coupons in exchange for political support by Saddam Hussein’s former regime.
Did Saddam Hussein buy support in Russia and the West? (Part II)
(March 4, 2004) The level and scope of the "Al-Mada" allegations have been startling. Along with Russian and Ukrainian oil giants, others on the list include Ukrainian political parties, a Canadian oilman, and a British politician.
Bunyoro draws battle lines against coloniser
Bunyoro Kingdom has formally announced it is ready for a major showdown with former colonial masters, Britain. The anticipated legal battle could be like the biblical David versus Goliath affair, where the small, impoverished kingdom stretches her muscles against the mighty.
Baker the bailiff? Assessing U.S. policy on Saddam’s debt
(March 2, 2004) Aside from falling short in financial terms, the kind of Paris Club deal being brokered by James Baker has two major problems.
Dialogue on globalisation: Odious debts, odious creditors?
(March 1, 2004) There seems hardly a better way to illustrate the validity of the odious debt doctrine than the case of Iraq ‚ where most outstanding loans were underwritten by the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein.
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