Our federal government – to protect a Canadian Multinational – is trying to thwart World Bank rules that would punish a company for international corruption. We need your help to encourage the World Bank to live up to its rules and to let Canada’s new prime minister, Paul Martin, know that we will expect more from Canada under his leadership.
Debt-relief proposal for Iraq receives a frosty reception
(September 30, 2003) A bipartisan congressional proposal to forgive the – odious debt – racked up by the former Iraqi regime is encountering resistance from two political entities that rarely find themselves in agreement: the House Democratic leadership and the White House.
US call to drop Iraq debt angers Kuwait
(September 29, 2003) Kuwaiti parliamentarians reacted angrily to a US suggestion the country drop demands for billions of dollars in war reparations owed by former foe Iraq, newspapers said yesterday.
News flash: Three Gorges reservoir to be raised four metres
The builders of the Three Gorges dam have suddenly announced a dramatic change in the project schedule: The reservoir, which was filled to the 135-metre level in June, is to be raised an additional four metres by the end of October.
US call to drop Iraq debt angers Kuwait MPs
(September 29, 2003) Kuwaiti parliamentarians reacted angrily to a US suggestion the country drop demands for billions of dollars in war reparations owed by former foe Iraq, newspapers said yesterday.
World Bank/IMF meeting focus on Iraq
(September 25, 2003) World Bank President James Wolfensohn told reporters that U.S.-published estimates ranging from $50 billion-$70 billion for Iraq’s reconstruction effort were "in the ball park."
Paying for war’s aftermath
(September 25, 2003) How about forcing the Iraqi people to take out a mortgage on their newfound freedom, using their nation’s future oil revenue as collateral?
Bremer seeks funds for Iraqi power grid
(September 25, 2003) “Think of what we would be asking Iraqis were we to suggest they fashion a new economy, a new democracy, while literally in the dark eight hours a day.” -L. Paul Bremer, administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority.
Monkeys return to a degraded river
Thousands of monkeys that fled in fear as the Three Gorges reservoir began rising have returned to their native habitat on one of the Yangtze’s most beautiful tributaries. But they have come back to a much dirtier river.
La condonacion de deudas
(September 24, 2003) A Spanish language version of Patricia Adams’ article on odious debt, first published by the National Post newspaper in Canada. Translated and reproduced on the El Cato Institute Web site.
Administration’s $87 billion Iraq plan hits more turbulence in Congress
(September 24, 2003) Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., said the result of the administration’s proposal would be for U.S. taxpayers to help repay debt that Saddam Hussein owed to European nations before his government was toppled.
Toppling of Saddam leaves debt questions to be solved
(September 24, 2003) Policymakers and debt watchers are considering a scheme that two economists have drawn up to eliminate lending to odious regimes, such as Saddam Hussein’s Iraq.
Global economic recovery underway: G-7
(September 24, 2003) Finance ministers and central bank chiefs from the Group of Seven creditor nations ended their one-day meeting in Dubai, urging all bilateral creditors to join them in canceling "100 percent of their eligible claims."
PRESS RELEASE: Leaked report criticizes Vietnam for unsafe dam operation
(September 23, 2003) A leaked Asian Development Bank report warns Vietnam that major operational changes are needed to ensure public safety downstream of the country’s second largest hydro dam.
Senator Biden calls for Iraqi debt cancelation
(September 22, 2003) All the countries, all the countries, are going to have to engage in debt forgiveness for . . . this new country to have any possibility of getting off the ground.


