(December 18, 2003) Paris Club President Jean-Pierre Jouyet dismissed demands by non-governmental groups that Iraq’s debt be classified as "odious" debt contracted by an illegitimate leadership, a concept implying the debts would not even be considered as debts.
Paris Club process rapped by Iraq debt campaigners
(December 18, 2003) Campaigners who are calling for Iraq’s debts to be recognised as "odious" yesterday denounced the process under way to reduce Iraq’s debts, saying the country would still be saddled with huge repayments.
Iraq debt delief backing rises, hard work remains
(December 18, 2003) The Paris Club of creditor states can agree a debt relief deal for Iraq quickly but the agreement can be signed only when the country has an internationally recognized leadership.
Dam on dangerous ground
(December 18, 2003) Two civil engineering professors at Wuhan University believe that earthquakes in the Three Gorges reservoir area are a real cause for concern, and call for more resources to be put into investigating the region’s seismic problems.
France and Germany join U.S. in effort to reduce Iraq’s debt
(December 17, 2003) France and Germany agreed Tuesday to work with the United States toward a "substantial reduction" of Iraq’s towering foreign debt next year.
Trying Saddam Hussein
(December 17, 2003) The trial of Saddam Hussein must do several things at once. It must educate Iraqis and the world about the nature of his regime, adhere to the highest international standards of fairness, and provide a mechanism for appropriate punishment.
Baker’s mission on Saddam’s debt may undermine Iraqi democracy
(December 17, 2003) By arranging a Paris Club debt restructuring James Baker is going against the will of Iraqis, who are demanding a fair arbitration tribunal on Saddam’s odious debt.
World Bank inflated costs of Karuma hydropower
(December 16, 2003) Canadian consulting firm Acres International prepared a secret report the World Bank relied on to select which Ugandan hydro project (Karuma/Bujagali) to bankroll.
Watchdogs afraid of war crimes show trial
(December 16, 2003) Saddam Hussein will face war crimes charges in a special Iraqi court, despite international concerns that it will be a show trial leading to a death sentence.
Canada: “Export Agency must stiffen bribery sanctions,” report
(December 16, 2003) The Canadian agency that underwrites large-scale export projects must adopt tougher rules against bribery by client companies, says a report by a trade union anti-corruption group.
Trial venue may be tug-of-war
(December 15, 2003) An international row over where Saddam Hussein should face justice began yesterday, with Iraq’s U.S.-backed leaders vowing to try him and human rights groups saying the former dictator will not get a fair trial in an Iraqi court.
EDC ranks poorly in Anti-Corruption Index
(December 15, 2003) The Canadian Crown corporation says it is satisfied with safeguards in place, but a new report indicates it shouldn’t be.
Schneider Electric to stand trial in bribery case
(December 13, 2003) A Lesotho High Court judge in his ruling this week, accused Schneider of spinning in France "an intricate web of corporate manipulation with its yarn reaching over to the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Rebuilding policy is conflicted
(December 12, 2003) Iraqis cannot effectively rebuild their country and rejoin the global community unless they can get out from underneath their government’s staggering debt. It, and the war reparations, need to be forgiven.
Baker visiting 5 allies seeking Iraq debt relief
(December 11, 2003) Former Secretary of State James A. Baker will visit Russia, Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany next week in an effort to persuade those countries to forgive Iraq’s debts.
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