[stop-imf] Africa Action: Victory on Debt Requires Further Action

[robert weissman]

Take Action. Now!

*Victory on Debt Requires Further Action*


On June 11, 2005, the Group of Seven (G-7) Finance Ministers agreed to
the outright cancellation of the debts of 18 impoverished countries (14
in Africa) to the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and African
Development Bank.

*Congratulations for all of your hard work to push for full debt
cancellation for this first set of countries!* It was YOUR emails that
made sure that IMF debt was included in the final deal. Thank you for
helping to secure this initial victory on the path to full debt
cancellation. *Please take action TODAY to ensure that this victory  leads
to our ultimate goal of full debt cancellation for all African  nations.
<http://capwiz.com/africaaction/utr/1/ABLSETVVFU/KFMUETWOJD/> *

The G-7 also agreed that as other countries complete the Heavily
Indebted Poor Country Initiative (HIPC), they too will receive debt
cancellation. Unfortunately, HIPC includes devastating economic
conditionality that deepens poverty in Africa. It has taken 8 years for
18 countries to complete the HIPC program. The dozens of African
countries that are paying down illegitimate debts should not be forced  to
spend years complying with harmful conditions; they demand full debt
cancellation now. In addition to being too slow with too many harmful
conditions, HIPC also excludes many countries in need of debt
cancellation, like Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco.

*W**hile this is an initial victory on the path to full and
unconditional debt cancellation for all African nations, we must be  clear
that too few countries are included in this plan and that we  oppose using
HIPC and HIPC conditionality as a pathway to future
cancellation.* We also must continue to assert that Africa=E2=80=99s debts =
are
largely illegitimate. They are a result of irresponsible loans that have
not benefited the people that must now foot the bill. While wealthy
nations have described Iraq=E2=80=99s debt as illegitimate or =E2=80=9Codio=
us=E2=80=9D, they  have
not applied the same standard to Africa=E2=80=99s debt.

__

*We hope you will continue to take action on international debt.* The
debt deal announced last weekend sets an important precedent for 100%
debt cancellation. Now, more than ever, we must be sure that our leaders
know that this commitment is *only the beginning* and that we will keep
working for 100% debt cancellation for all African nations without
harmful economic conditions attached.

Help us to *send the message to President Bush and Secretary Snow* that
this debt deal is only the first step. The G-8 meeting in Scotland this
July would be an appropriate time to discuss how to move from this timid
first step on debt cancellation to a bold new deal on debt for all
countries in Africa. You can continue to assert this call for complete
debt cancellation by taking any of the following actions:


   _Action #1 =E2=80=93 Send a Message to Bush and Snow Today!
   <http://capwiz.com/africaaction/utr/1/ABLSETVVFU/ACDZETWOJE/>_

In light of the recent developments and the need to keep regular
pressure on the Administration to negotiate full debt cancellation, we
have crafted the following message. You can send your message to Snow  and
Bush today by visiting our website
<http://capwiz.com/africaaction/utr/1/ABLSETVVFU/HSBHETWOJF/>.


   _Action #2 =E2=80=93 Sign a Jubilee Postcard!
   <http://capwiz.com/africaaction/utr/1/ABLSETVVFU/BQOZETWOJG/>_

The Jubilee USA Network, of which Africa Action is a member, continues  to
circulate postcards to President George Bush and Treasury Secretary  John
Snow calling on the G-8 to =E2=80=9CWipe Out Debt in 2005=E2=80=9D. The mes=
sage on  the
postcard asks for 100% cancellation of multilateral debts for */all
impoverished nations/* without harmful conditions. You can order
postcards or sign on-line at www.jubileeusa.org
<http://capwiz.com/africaaction/utr/1/ABLSETVVFU/MJKQETWOJH/>.


   _Action #3 =E2=80=93 Sign the American Friends Service Committee Petitio=
n!
<http://capwiz.com/africaaction/utr/1/ABLSETVVFU/CBQUETWOJI/>_

American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is circulating an on-line
petition to Treasury Secretary John Snow that also calls for 100% debt
cancellation without harmful conditions, and emphasizes the need to
empower civil society to be a part of the solution. You can sign the  AFSC
petition on-line at

http://www.afsc.org/africa/new-africa/activism/Action-Snow-Letter.htm
<http://capwiz.com/africaaction/utr/1/ABLSETVVFU/OQBIETWOJJ/>. This
petition will be delivered as part of a lobby day two weeks prior to the
G-8 meeting.

_*Action #4 =E2=80=93 Join us in Washington DC on June 29^th * _

Africa Action, with American Friends Service Committee, 50 Years is
Enough Network and the Jubilee USA Network continue to plan an event on
June 29^th , prior to the G-8 summit, to help facilitate the delivery of
the petition and postcards and publicize the full call for debt
cancellation. If you are in the Washington DC area, please join us at
Noon on the 29^th in Lafayette Park in front of the White House. *We  will
continue to raise our voices until all African countries receive  100%
debt cancellation. *

Thank you for your support as we struggle for freedom from debt.

Sincerely,

The Staff @ Africa Action