(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.
Who will rebuild Iraq?
(October 31, 2003) The Russians are represented in Madrid, but they are there only to insist that any new, democratic Iraq repay the $3.4 billion they lent Saddam to buy MiGs and other Soviet-era weaponry. No wonder they are called Odious Debts.
More work awaits problem-solving Premier
When Premier Wen Jiabao swiftly resolved one family’s problem during a Three Gorges inspection tour, the story was splashed across an official press eager to portray him as a man of the people. Many other migrants could also use his help.
Iraq business deals may be invalid, law experts warn
(October 30, 2003) The US-led provisional authority in Iraq may be breaking international law by selling state assets, experts have warned, raising the prospect that contracts signed now by foreign investors could be scrapped by a future Iraqi government.
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