(November 6, 2003) The Guardian newspaper in London reported recently that a UK-based lobbying firm is under investigation over the Bujagali dam project.
Make Baghdad pay
(November 6, 2003) The New York Times posted an amendment to an opinion editorial published on Nov. 4 by Mark Medish, who wrote Iraq should repay its foreign debts and negotiate "an orderly, market-friendly debt repayment schedule based on financial analysis; and encourage creative solutions, including debt swaps." What the article didn’t disclose at the time of publication was that Mr. Medish, an international lawyer and former Treasury official, represents corporations that are owed money by Iraq.
Thanks for nothing
(November 6, 2003) For many Iraqis, the Madrid Donors’ Conference added insult to injury. The event was a surreal "charity" auction, selling the supposed beneficiary into bondage.
IMF weighing how much Iraq debt should be forgiven
(November 6, 2003) World Bank president James Wolfensohn has estimated that Iraq’s total debt load is around $120 billion and that at least two-thirds should be forgiven to give the country a good start at rebuilding.
Bulgaria’s $1m aid to Iraq
(November 6, 2003) But Bulgaria is not ready to cancel Iraq’s debt. "Every government represents the same country, no matter when or how it accumulated its debts, and this is a principle which must be complied with." – Foreign Minister Solomon Passi.
Bremer plans to enlarge, refocus Iraq occupation authority
(November 6, 2003) Bremer also intends to devote more attention to reducing Iraq’s debt . . . Bremer is considering several options to address the issue, including asking Bush to appoint a senior official to engage in negotiations with foreign governments.
Corruption goes unpunished
(November 5, 2003) A Canadian public lending agency that lobbied in defence of Acres International, the first multinational to be convicted in the landmark corruption trials currently underway in the southern African state of Lesotho, has said it will not bar the Canadian engineering giant from future contracts.
Make Baghdad pay
(November 4, 2003) For Iraq to normalize its external financial relations, it must respect one of the first principles of the rule of law: contracts should be honored. Without this presumption, markets cannot work.
High crimes in Lesotho: transnational criminals (Part 3)
(November 1, 2003) In principle, First World development banks and
export credit agencies could curb corrupt behaviour by transnational
companies in developing countries but apparently don’t want to offend
their First World constituents by doing so. This article, Part 3 in a series, takes a close look at a recent case, Lesotho’s Highland Water Project (LHWP), a huge World Bank-financed dam project where a half dozen leading Canadian and European engineering and construction firms are now being prosecuted for bribery by one of southern Africa’s smallest, most poverty-stricken countries.
Odious rulers, odious debts
(November 1, 2003) America must commit itself to something in return for international cooperation in the reconstruction of Iraq: the establishment of a framework for addressing debt relief, debt restructuring, and odious debts.
High crimes in Lesotho: transnational criminals (Part 3)
(November 1, 2003) In principle, First World development banks and export credit agencies could curb corrupt behaviour by transnational companies in developing countries but apparently don’t want to offend their First World constituents by doing so.
Cambodia’s plan for decentralised power
(November 1, 2003) Cambodia’s Renewable Electric Action Paln provides a framework for supporting small-scale generation of electricity for local communities.
Behind the Mekong Power Grid
(November 1, 2003) Grainne Ryder reviews the Asian Development Bank’s Regional Indicative Master Plan for Regional Power Interconnections and Power Trade in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
EDC’s position on bribery and the treatment of companies convicted of such offences
(October 31, 2003) Measures and safeguards, as well as EDC’s normal business considerations and application of its Anti-Corruption Program, help to ensure that future business for which Acres might seek our support is not tainted by corruption.
Relief for Iraq
(October 31, 2003) Clearly, some form of major relief for Iraq should be granted. Saddling the country with a burdensome debt is no way to get the first genuine Arab democracy off the ground.
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