16 September 2006

Does this count as standing up to Bush?

In Singapore on Thursday Hillary Benn, the UK's International Development secretary, announced the UK would withhold up to£50 million in funding unless the bank alters its policies toward developing nations.

"We will hold the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to the commitments they've made to work closely with governments to ensure their conditions are drawn from national strategies and reflect national priorities. My decision on the release of the £50m payment will depend on satisfactory progress."

Britain seems to think that Mr. Wolfowitz's focus on corruption is coming at the expense of steps towards the elimination of poverty.

Today it is noted that the unease extends beyond Britain to include France, Italy and smaller European countries. One source in Washington was quoted as saying "there is still a lot of suspicion about what the real agenda is".

It is hard to imagine there being suspicion surrounding Mr. Wolfowitz he's always been so honest and straightforward. I mean when he was with the Defense Department he said that the war in Iraq was about oil.

Oh, yeah, then he said didn't say it. Never mind.

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