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14/09/2006
World Bank donation withheld by UK
A £50 million donation to the World Bank has been withheld by the UK government in protest as conditions the organisation is attaching to aid.
International Development Secretary said that he had concerns that the bank's policy amounted to telling poorer nations how to run their affairs.
Mr Benn said that he thought the Bank had a clear duty to assist those in poverty in spite of the actions of the countries' governments.
However, since he took over Wold Bank Chief Paul Wolfowitz has declared a self-appointed mission to tackle corruption in the administrations of many smaller countries. This policy has led to many poverty-stricken countries being denied loans and financial aide.
Mr Benn has told Mr Wolfowitz that the anti-corruption campaign and the imposition of economic conditions, which has attracted criticism from many charities, is not acceptable to the UK.
Last year the World Bank received £1.3bn from the UK and Britain's decision to withhold the latest £50m in funding has thrown the spotlight on Mr Wolfowitz's actions to tackle corruption.
This is the first public attack by a government on the Mr Wolfowitz who is viewed as a hardliner in the Bush administration.
(SP)
International Development Secretary said that he had concerns that the bank's policy amounted to telling poorer nations how to run their affairs.
Mr Benn said that he thought the Bank had a clear duty to assist those in poverty in spite of the actions of the countries' governments.
However, since he took over Wold Bank Chief Paul Wolfowitz has declared a self-appointed mission to tackle corruption in the administrations of many smaller countries. This policy has led to many poverty-stricken countries being denied loans and financial aide.
Mr Benn has told Mr Wolfowitz that the anti-corruption campaign and the imposition of economic conditions, which has attracted criticism from many charities, is not acceptable to the UK.
Last year the World Bank received £1.3bn from the UK and Britain's decision to withhold the latest £50m in funding has thrown the spotlight on Mr Wolfowitz's actions to tackle corruption.
This is the first public attack by a government on the Mr Wolfowitz who is viewed as a hardliner in the Bush administration.
(SP)
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