[stop-imf] Bretton Woods Update - conflict, extractives report, parliaments and the Bank

[Robert Weissman]

Dear Bretton Woods Update subscriber,

This latest Update is only available electronically - this is to allow
us to give readers of the printed edition of the Update much more news
and analysis of the key issues in the run-up to the World Bank-IMF 60th
Spring Meetings in the next Update.

HIGHLIGHTS UPDATE 38

At issue:  World Bank, IMF and armed conflicts - Helping peace or
creating the conditions for war?
<http://www.brettonwoodsproject.org/article.shtml?cmd[126]=x-126-35157>

Extractives report tables harsh criticism, many suggestions
In mid-January the report of the Extractive Industries Review was
tabled, containing many strong criticisms of the Bank's record in the
oil, gas and mining sector and a series of detailed recommendations.
<http://www.brettonwoodsproject.org/article.shtml?cmd[126]=x-126-35149>

Legislators courted but oversight insufficient
The Parliamentary Network on the World Bank will hold its annual
conference February 15-16 in Paris. Oversight of relations between
governments, the IMF and the Bank by legislators is still insufficient
in the North and in the South.
<http://www.brettonwoodsproject.org/article.shtml?cmd[126]=x-126-35230>

A 40 million dollar question: why fund the Development Gateway?
Despite the negative comments in the official evaluation of the
Knowledge Bank, the World Bank's Development Gateway internet scheme is
seeking 40 million of further public funding.
<http://www.brettonwoodsproject.org/article.shtml?cmd[126]=x-126-34476>

High-level conference on "trade, growth and poverty"
Report from a conference organised by DFID, the World Bank, IMF and UNDP
to provide direction on how to integrate trade into national development
strategies.
<http://www.brettonwoodsproject.org/article.shtml?cmd[126]=x-126-32485>

Investigation into IFC Haiti project: "mixed results" but funds go ahead
The IFC committed $20 million to an industrial park in a Haitian free
trade zone on 15 January, after an independent investigator found that
"the project deserves continued strong support given its development
impact, even if some wrongdoing was demonstrated."
<http://www.brettonwoodsproject.org/article.shtml?cmd[126]=x-126-35235>

Plus...
Recommended resources 2003
http://www.brettonwoodsproject.org/article.shtml?cmd[126]=x-126-35154
and...
Bankspeak of the year 2003
http://www.brettonwoodsproject.org/article.shtml?cmd[126]=x-126-35155

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Jeff Powell
Communications and Research Officer
Bretton Woods Project
Critical Voices on the IMF and the World Bank
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