By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, May 9 -- Yemen Finance Minister Sakr al-Wajeeh has said Yemen is applying for an IMF $200 million loan spread throughout the next three years. On Thursday, Inner City Press asked the IMF to confirm that, and that the IMF is urging an end to Yemen's oil subsidy.
IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice read out part of the question, at the IMF's online biweekly briefing, then referred Inner City Press to the IMF's broader paper on energy subsidies issues a few weeks ago.
Yemen may be a specific case, however. Already, there are long periods of time without electricity, in a country many in the international community say they are trying to support in a transition to post-Saleh democracy. End oil subsidies now?
A journalist physically at the IMF on Thursday asked about similar demands made in the past on Pakistan, and whether the country is looking for a new program. Rice said no, there is no formal request for a program from Pakistan.
Inner City Press asked Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Masood Khan who concurred, saying how could there be? It's an interim government. For now.
Footnote: Another IMF paper advises at least some countries to sell off their "non financial assets." Yesterday it was reported that France wants to sell off the Park Avenue apartment where its Permanent Representative Gerard Araud lives. Would he keep living there as a tenant? Inquiring minds want to know.
