(June 2, 2003) Russia is going to defend its interests as regards the further fate of Iraqi debts, said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin.
Bankrupting the broke
(June 2, 2003) "There is another interesting twist to the issue of Iraq’s debt. How far are the people of Iraq responsible for repaying its so-called “odious” debt, contracted by the regime of the erstwhile dictator?" asks A. V. Rajwade.
Vatana, nine others accused in Klong Dan scandal
(June 11, 2003) Veteran politician Vatana Asavahame, his brother Somporn, his long-time close aide Man Pattanotai and seven others will be charged with involvement in corruption surrounding the Klong Dan wastewater treatment project.
Thais to sign deal for Laotian hydro power in July
(July 2, 2003) Thailand will sign a contract this month to buy electricity from a planned $1.1 billion hydropower dam in Laos, officials said on Wednesday.
Bean counting in Baghdad: Debt, reparations, reconstruction, and resources
(June 2, 2003) Robert Looney, professor of National Security Affairs, and Associate Chairman of Instruction, Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, examines Iraq’s fiscal challenges and possible financial strategies. "Establishing the right of a country such as Iraq to write off odious debt would have potentially huge benefits, not the least by discouraging banks from lending to similar tyrants that might one day be overthrown," argues Mr. Looney. He says, "using the odious debt doctrine.
Debt on agenda as G8 leaders fly to Evian for first post-war conference
(June 1, 2003) U.S. Treasury officials have called for Iraq’s debts to be written off as a gesture of support for the people who did not incur it in the first place. … it is a good idea, but the G8 is unlikely to buy it.
Witnesses to history: Migrants gather to watch the reservoir rise
Many people who were resettled to make way for the Three Gorges project gathered at Maoping near the dam site on June 1 to watch the reservoir begin to fill and submerge their old homes.
Restoring U.S.-Russia harmony
(May 31, 2003) "Why not leapfrog the issue of Iraqi debt and propose a radical cut in what Russia wants to be repaid? (This is where he’ll end up anyway.)," says Stephen Sestanovich.
News flash: Cracks in the dam have reopened, senior inspector says
(May 30, 2003) As China prepares to begin filling the Three Gorges reservoir on June 1, a senior member of the project inspection team has acknowledged that some of the cracks that were repaired at great expense on the upstream face of the dam have reopened.
The Evian Summit: Russia’s future and the G8
(May 30, 2003) The Kremlin argues that, under the current financial situation in the world, "no one can afford simply forgiving" the Iraqi debt, says Pavel Ivanov.
A fresh start for Iraq: The case for debt relief
(May 30, 2003) "Powerful as the economic case for debt relief may be, it is reinforced by the fact that much of Iraq’s debt is illegitimate in a wider sense. The doctrine of ‘odious debt’ clearly sets out the reasons for this illegitimacy." says Oxfam.
Hidden danger behind Three Gorges dam
(May 30, 2003) As the huge reservoir behind China’s controversial Three Gorges dam begins to fill up this weekend, an urgent rescue operation is being launched further upstream to save the dam from being choked by silt.
Letters to the Editor: Claims tribunal best way to face up to Iraqi debt
(May 29, 2003) This is a letter to the editor written by Justin Alexander, UK Co-ordinator of Jubilee Iraq. He critizes Lex Rieffel’s argument that odious debts repudiation is impractical and introduces a plan for a debt arbitration tribunal for Iraq.
Global Showdown in Evian
(May 29, 2003) Much of the debt held by developing countries is "odious" — the result of loans that wealthy creditors made to tyrannical governments. It is simply inhumane for G8 countries to saddle impoverished citizens with these debts after the dictators fall.
Iraq debt issue seen driven by US, global politics
(May 28, 2003) The U.S. will go to the weekend G8 summit urging debt relief for Iraq, saying it is merited by what it describes as Saddam Hussein’s abhorrent 23-year rule, but economists say it is creditor politics which drives relief.
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