(September 1, 1997) World Bank report states that “the Bank has a responsibility under its articles to ensure that the funds it lends to borrowers are used for their intended purposes and with due attention to economy and efficiency.”
Canada’s representative at the ADB downplays ADB role in Mekong hydro schemes
(August 12, 1997) Reply letter from Executive Director representing Canada on ADB’s Board of Directors regarding Canadian development assistance on hydropower dams along the Mekong River in China.
Canada’s representative at the ADB downplays ADB role in Mekong hydro schemes
(August 12, 1997) Thank you very much for your letter of 29 July 1997 indicating your opposition to “more than fifty large” hydropower dams along the Mekong River and its tributaries.
Conservationists who are enemies of the earth
(August 6, 1997) To the oil and mining companies, repressive governments and banks we list among the world’s exploiters, we must add another sector – conservationists. Unaccountable, opaque and pursuing a model of protection that is both repressive and outmoded, some of the world’s biggest conservation organisations are becoming indistinguishable from other neo-colonial corsairs.
Summary of RSI staff views regarding the problem of ‘leakage’ from World Bank project budgets
(August 1, 1997) Leaked World Bank document states that "at least 20-30 per cent of GOI [Government of Indonesia] development budget funds are diverted through informal payments to GOI staff and politicians."
The international debt crisis of Iraq
(August 1, 1997) This paper analyzes Iraq’s indebtness problem and investigates the applicability of debt-equity swaps as a means of alleviating the severity of Iraq’s external debt and obligations.
The international debt crisis of Iraq
(August 1, 1997) This paper analyzes Iraq’s indebtness problem and investigates the applicability of debt-equity swaps as a means of alleviating the severity of Iraq’s external debt and obligations.
Laos renews appeal for planned dam, vowing to minimise fallout from project
(July 14, 1997) Laos is determined to go ahead with the Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric dam and urged the international community to support the $1.5 billion project.
Laos confident World Bank will accept its loan request
(July 8, 1997) The Laotian Government is confident the World Bank will agree to its request for a loan for the construction of its controversial Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric dam project to generate electricity for sale to Thailand.
Laos hopes World Bank will bless dam
(June 14, 1997) Lao officials fear yet more delays in its Nam Theun 2 dam project in what they say is a move by the World Bank to develop a greener image for itself.
Mekong panel on hold over fighting
(June 14, 1997) A joint committee meeting of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) scheduled for today and tomorrow has been postponed indefinitely due to the absence of the Cambodian delegates, a senior MRC official said yesterday.
World Bank Approves Guarantee Mechanism to Protect Private Deals With Risky Third World Governments
(June 3, 1997) The World Bank’s Executive Directors have quietly approved a new guarantee mechanism to protect commercial lenders that make joint investments with governments in some of the world’s poorest countries. The new guarantee mechanism is unchartered territory for the World Bank. It is designed to make large power and infrastructure projects attractive to commercial lenders in high-risk countries with governments that are considered uncreditworthy.
Swiss banks find only $3.4 million in Mobutu assets
(June 3, 1997) Swiss banks have found $3.4 million in assets stashed away by ousted Zairian President Mobutu Sese Seko, far short of the billions the rebels who toppled him claim he has.
Probe Alert: Asian Development Bank bulldozes ahead with Mekong dams
(June 1, 1997) If the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (AsDB) has its way over the next decade, the Mekong and its largest tributaries will be choked by a series of giant hydropower dams, and up to 60 million ethnic minority people could be forced out of the region’s highlands.
Probe Alert June 1997
Asian Development Bank bulldozes ahead with Mekong dams
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
Other News Sources
Probe International 