By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, November 21, updated -- The International Monetary Fund visited Sri Lanka, during the same time frame there was worldwide news about crackdowns on the press and families of those disappeared or killed by the government. But the IMF's Naoyuki Shinohara issued a statement mentioning none of that, basically cheering for the government.
During the IMF's bi-weekly media briefing on Thursday, Inner City Press submitted this question, and others set forth below [the IMF at deadline says an answer is pending on the DRC]:
"In Sri Lanka, does IMF acknowledge any impact of the issues raised during the CHOGM, but not mentioned by Naoyuki Shinohara?"
IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice, purporting to answer questions posed not only "in the room" in Washington but also online, including a repeat question from a financial reporter usually in the room, never acknowledged this one. (The only way Inner City Press has gotten a substantive answer from the IMF on Sri Lanka was by going to the briefing in person, and even then...).
As has become its pattern under Christine Lagarde, the IMF ignored Africa questions:
In DRC, what is IMF's view of, and role in, the draft Oil Law, since Oscar Melhado said to avoid "mistakes made with the mining sector"?
[After the briefing, an IMF spokesperson wrote, "I’m following up on your question on DRC will get back to you asap.]
On Sudan, please explain Edward Gemayel's Oct 12 statement that: "Sudan has a long track record of implementing sustainable economic policies" - and if IMF acknowledges any role in or responsibility for the unrest including 200 dead related to subsidy cuts?
While unanswered is what the IMF does in the Sahel, where the World Bank for example has announced new programs. If only because many are part of FrancAfrique and Lagarde's in charge of the IMF, an answer if not a program would be expected. Watch this site.
Footnote: Again the IMF had no comment on the US having spied on it. Nor did it have an answer on Honduras saying it wants an IMF program. At least Rice took that question - but perhaps only because it was "in the room." Africa? Forget it - or, forgotten by the IMF?
