(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.
Odious debts ?odious creditors?
(March 1, 2004) There hardly seems 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.
Government memo says Aborigines once treated like Nazi slave labour
(March 1, 2004) Thousands of Aboriginal workers whose wages were paid into official trust funds and never returned have been compared to Nazi slave labourers in a secret government document.
NGO visit to the Nam Theun 2 dam site
(February 29, 2004) A trip report by Non-Governmental Organizations that visited the proposed Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectric Project in Laos, in December 2003.
China to waive Iraq debt if given greater role in rebuilding
(February 29, 2004) Beijing is ready to forgive a big part of the estimated 5.8 billion dollars owed to it by the previous regime of Saddam Hussein if Chinese companies are allowed into major rebuilding projects in Iraq.
Al-Sistani issues fatwa for return of stolen government documents
(February 27, 2004) Iraqi Shi’ite Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has reportedly issued a fatwa calling on Iraqis to return documents looted from government offices in the aftermath of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Ernst & Young to be back in Iraq within a few days
(February 27, 2004) Top Middle East accountancy practice Ernst & Young is pushing ahead with its efforts to move back into Iraq and plans to reopen there within days.
Crown’s Heads of Argument: Appellant’s Appeal
(February 26, 2004) “Certainly in the eyes of the international community Lahmeyer looks far less blameworthy than does Acres, when in truth it is at least, if not more blameworthy.”
Iraq needs big debt writeoff — Fitch ratings agency
(February 26, 2004) Iraq needs a big reduction in its $117-$122 billion debts, but it is unlikely to receive as generous a reduction as 90 percent given to the likes of Congo, credit rating agency Fitch said on Thursday.
A primer on Iraq’s finances
(February 25, 2004) For Iraq’s ratio of external interest payments/foreign exchange earnings to be comparable to the median of sovereigns rated ‘B+’and lower, we estimate gross external debt would need to fall by about 90% to USD14bn.
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