By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, July 10 -- On Mali, the International Monetary Fund has suspended its program at least until toward the end of this year, IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice answered Inner City Press on July 10.
There will be an audit, and (re) consideration of procurement systems. This comes as UN officials including UN Peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous visit Mali talking about cooperation in fighting crime -- apparently not including the President's new $40 million plane and no-bid contracts.
Inner City Press also asked the IMF, in its embargoed briefing on the morning of July 10, about Romania and Pakistan:
On Romania, what is the IMF's comment on President Basescu now rejecting the planned social security tax cut, pending measures that would cover a likely revenue shortfall?
Rice said that off-setting measures are needed; transcript forthcoming.
In Pakistan, the Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has abandoned the policy of releasing national accounts on a quarterly basis, described as “a violation of the IMF's guidelines on good statistical practice” - is that the case? Any IMF comment?
Rice spoke of the IMF's technical assistance; transcript forthcoming.
A question that was not (yet) answer was this, on Jamaica:
In Jamaica, Opposition Spokesman on Finance Audley Shaw has said that Managing Director Lagarde “crossed the line from being non-political to making statements, which can be construed as political interference.” What is the IMF's or MD's response?
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