[stop-imf] Drop the Debt Call-in Day - April 25th (fwd)

[Robert Weissman]

Dear Jubilee campaigners,

Please send this out to your networks and get out the word for the first
major grassroots action of the new Jubilee USA Network.  Join us in getting
over 10,000 calls to President Bush!
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Drop the Debt: Jubilee USA Network

National Call-In Day to Cancel Crushing Debt to the World Bank and IMF

*****Help us get 10,000 calls to President Bush on April 25th!*****

Call the White House
Wednesday, April 25th – 9-5pm EST
202-456-1111

The international Jubilee movement has had tremendous success in the last
few years in bringing the world’s attention to the unbearable burden of
debt imposed on the world’s poorest countries. Together we have made some
gains in achieving actual debt relief that is making a difference in real
people’s lives.

Yet much more is needed. The majority of the debt of the poorest nations
has not been cancelled.

Many countries still spend more on debt service than on health care and
education. In light of the HIV/AIDS and other health crises in Africa, it
is not tolerable for countries to continue to spend more on debt than on
health care and basic education.

It is time for the World Bank and the IMF to use their ample internal
resources to cancel the debts owed them by the most impoverished
countries. Harmful and failed economic policies, like user-fees for health
and education, should not be imposed as conditions for debt cancellation.
Rather, we should seek to insure that the priorities of the people in
these countries are met--for investments in health care, schooling and
clean water.

The Jubilee USA Network is calling for President Bush to use U.S. leverage
to make the World Bank and IMF cancel the debts of the poorest countries
now using their own resources.

Here’s what you can do:

Call the White House comment line on Wednesday, April 25th and follow the
prompts until you reach a live human being: 202-456-1111.  If the line is
busy and you can’t get through please send a fax to: 202-456-2461.


Here’s what you can say:

1) Africa is being devastated by HIV/AIDS and other health crises, yet
many countries continue to pay more in debt service than on health care.

2) I am calling to ask President Bush to make the World Bank and IMF
cancel 100% of the debts owed them by the poor countries using their own
internal resources and not more taxpayer money so that monies can be used
for primary health care and education.

3) I want the President to retain the legislation passed by Congress last
year to eliminate user-fees imposed by the World Bank and IMF.

Feel free to personalize your statement and always ask to leave your name
and city.

Please also call with the same message:

Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill at 202-622-1100 or fax: 202-622-6415 and
Secretary of State Colin Powell at the State Department at 202-647-6575 or
fax: 202-261-8577

Congratulations! Thank you for helping to make history by joining the
Jubilee USA Network to definitively cancel the crushing debts that
continue to enslave millions of our brothers and sisters around the world!

For more information on the National Call-In Day please contact Mara
Vanderslice at the Jubilee USA Network office at: 202-783-3566