* & Blair & African Debt Relief

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With all the discussion of the DSM, I've yet to see a discussion of B&B's main talking point: African Debt Relief.

Since I no longer believe a single word that comes out of either of their mouths, I have to assume that the prospect of "debt relief" to certain African nations will come with so many strings attached (meddling in governments, foreign "investment", etc.) that it will be in some ways, worse than the present situation.

http://www.africaaction.org/desk/hipc0206.htm

Ñ The economic policy conditions attached to the HIPC process mirror the same prescriptions that have been imposed by the World Bank and IMF on African countries for the past two decades, with disastrous results. Although these are now repackaged to reflect a regard for "poverty reduction," their imposition is no less inappropriate. Tying debt relief to conditions determined bycreditors undermines African priorities and initiatives and affords creditors an inordinate degree of control over the running of African countries. It is a matter for African governments to determine their own approaches to poverty reduction, in consultation with civil society groups and other partners - not to have these prescribed to them by external powers. It is outrageous that creditors should seek to stipulate to African governments how they must spend any savings that are received from debt relief.

[mr blur]

1. Actually Blair's Labour govt.

has already cancelled a number of debts during its time. I would guess that his main problem will be to convince Bush to consider doing something from which he and his puppet masters won't make $millions.