Re: World Bank China dam update & Alert! (fwd)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 08 Jul 2000 08:51:36 +0800
From: Kong Sang Tso <kstso@attglobal.net>
To: Peter Grimes <p34d3611@jhu.edu>
Subject: Re: World Bank China dam update & Alert!

Dear WSN and Mr. Grimes,

Making statements such as "China occupied Tibet" in a tabloid is
understandable, not all tabloid writers are supposed to be educated in
history.  Besides, they have their source of funding which may require some
kind of sensational reports.

For a learned person to make a statement like that is irresponsible,
unethical or outright stupid.  If one does not know history, read it.  If 
one
says China occupied Tibet, one may just as well say Beijing occupied China!

One should go back to history, get ones story straight and respect the
integrity of the list in a forum of this caliber.  Freedom of speech is
great, partly because it gives no one any right to be disrespectful and
insult the intelligence of others.

What is your opinion on the issue?  Is it China bashing or is it WB bashing?
Is it bringing religion into politics (that is not news) or is it using
politics for religion (nothing new either)?  Why are people so concerned 
with
a land mass so far away?  Is it the unique culture?  Is it because it is
disappearing due to the fact that male Tibetans are encouraged / expected  
by
the religion leaders to become monks and not to get married and have
children?

Here are some interesting statements:

"Our efforts paid off -- we triggered an independent investigation into the
project and we convinced the Board  not to release money for the project
until after the investigation was completed."   Is that what it is about?
Someone won.

 "...(We have been informed by many different sources that) the Panel's
report vindicates our claim and finds that the Bank was in violation of its
policies on Indigenous Peoples, Resettlement, Environmental Assessment,
Information Disclosure, and Agricultural Pest Management."    Why use Tibet
and Chad/Cameroon to attack the WB?   Would any investments in these places
not benefit humankind?

"We have also heard that the report provides a scathing critique of the
Bank's performance in preparing this project, and that it raises very 
serious
institutional issues about the Bank's lack of commitment to its social and
environmental policies, particularly in repressive regimes like China."   
Has
this forum been used for the purpose of attacking "repressive regimes" and
"multinational corporations like Exxon and Chevron" as well as the WB?

"Remind them that ... the Bank lacks the commitment to enforce its own
policies and standards; it would result in increased public and governmental
scrutiny of other Bank projects in China, particularly those that involve
resettlement; and it would put an international stamp of approval on China's
policy of population transfer into occupied
Tibet."   An interesting way of killing two birds with one stone.

Handy, here is the dinner menu: do the WB for main course and have China for
dessert!  Let's add some wine and cheese and why not, add some spice to 
life!

What is "the truth (that) can and will prevail"?

Cheers,
K.S.Tso

Peter Grimes ¼g¤J¡G

> Subject: (50 Years) Tibet/WB Update! Outside-US Alert!
> Date: Thu, 6 Jul 2000 21:25:05 -0400
> From: Soren <Soren@afgj.org>
>
> 50 Years Is Enough Network
> Washington, DC  USA
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Soren
> To: 'stop-wb-imf@50years.org'
> Sent: 6/9/00 2:01 AM
> Subject: Tibet/Western China: ACTION ALERT
>
> From: Bank Information Center / Center for International Environmental
> Law / International Campaign for Tibet
>
> URGENT NEED FOR PRESSURE ON THE WORLD BANK
>
> June 6, 2000
>
> ***********************************
> ACTION ALERT: WORLD BANK CHINA WESTERN POVERTY REDUCTION PROJECT
>
> For More Information Contact: International Campaign for Tibet, 1825 K
> Street NW, Suite 520, Washington, DC 20006.