(April 15, 2003) If Mr. Snow’s remarks were muddling, those of Mr. Wolfowitz were mischievous. Iraq’s debt problem is a serious issue. It should not get mixed up in political point-scoring.
Appeal Judgment – Crown v. Masupha Ephraim Sole (PDF file)
(April 14, 2003) The Lesotho Court of Appeal judgment in full, confirming the conviction of Mr. Sole, the former head of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority.
Shipping industry expects dam closure to have ‘huge impact’
Yichang, Hubei province: Shipping companies on the Yangtze River face a steep drop in income for the next two months while navigation is suspended near the Three Gorges dam.
Belize tour guide association asks Public Utilities Commission for fair hearing on Chalillo
(April 14, 2003) How can we know what
effects [the Chalillo dam] will have on our river, and potentially on
the safety of people, both those of us who live downstream and the
visitors we take up and down the river.
The theatre of debt absurdity: American taxpayers don’t like their money to be wasted
(April 14, 2003) "American taxpayers are nervous and whimsical, they don’t like their money to be wasted. It’s just a convenient moment to find a scapegoat, a potential sponsor." A Russian perception of Paul Wolfowitz’s proposal to write-off Iraq’s debts.
K—Ühler sees sunny times ahead for IMF
(April 14, 2003) Mr K—Ühler said it may be too soon to pursue debt forgiveness for Iraq, despite pressure from Washington. "Debt forgiveness for Iraq – for me, this is a bit premature to judge," he said.
Iraq’s debt burden too big for broke economy to bear
(April 14, 2003) Germany’s World War I reparations totaled about twice its gross domestic product (GDP). The debts were never paid in full. They proved to be an impossible burden. Iraq’s debts amount to 15 times its annual GDP of perhaps $25 billion.
Iraq on fast track for debt relief
(April 14, 2003) Iraq is to be put on a fast track for debt relief as part of a package to rebuild its shattered economy agreed after the world’s leading nations stepped back from the brink of a damaging row over post-war economic reconstruction.
Division on rebuilding Iraq could slow down the process
(April 14, 2003) The Saddam Hussein regime simply ignored the debt, but a new government looking to establish commercial credit arrangements around the world would be under immense pressure to pay off Baghdad’s obligations.
Debate Rages on Reconstructing Iraq
(April 14, 2003) "Some people shot, some people stole, and now someone has to pay for that," Putin said in wry response to a reporter’s question about Wolfowitz’s debt proposal. His remarks came after the trilateral talks in St. Petersburg.
Power or environment?
(April 13, 2003) The controversial 150 mega watt Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project (UKHP) to generate 550 GWh still remains the country’s most contentious issue of development vs. environment, with a balance between ecological concerns and the increasing demand for power, yet to reach an micable settlement.
Victors will split the spoils of war
(April 13, 2003) Due to the Doctrine of Odious Debts, France, Germany and Russia stand to lose billions in debt owed by Iraq.
G-7 agrees that Iraq needs help with debt – Important roles seen for IMF, World Bank
(April 13, 2003) The world’s seven major industrial nations agreed on the need for a "multilateral effort to help Iraq," including international negotiations concerning Baghdad’s debt burden and reconstruction loans from institutions such as the World Bank.
Will the Iraqi people be allowed to rebuild their country?
(April 12, 2003) Will the Iraqi people be allowed to rebuild their country free from the debts of Saddam Hussein’s regime?
Late converts to dropping the debt
(April 12, 2003) The formidable task of putting together an interim Iraqi authority and settling Iraq’s finances dominated the agendas of most western governments. At issue was what to do about Iraq’s ‘odious debt’.
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