By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, May 8 -- While Ukraine and Greece were the subjects of the first six questions taken at the International Monetary Fund's May 8 embargoed briefing, the IMF impacts countries all over the world. Inner City Press submitted five questions -- on Morocco, Madagascar, Pakistan, Bosnia and Ghana -- the last two of which were read out and answered during the briefing. Video here, filmed from IMF webcast while at UN Security Council stakeout
On Ghana, Inner City Press asked: the Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress Kofi Asamoah spoke out on May Day against the government seeking an IMF program. What does the IMF make of it, and would the IMF consult with such opponents if a program were requested?
IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice said that Ghana has yet to formally request a program - there is a lot of discussion in the country about it, though. The IMF Board after its discussion of the Article IV review will have a press release in due course. He added that the IMF speaks with a range of people, and has spoken with the Trades Union Congress in the past.
On Bosnia, Inner City Press asked what steps would the IMF require to unfreeze the next tranche of its stand-by program? Does the IMF have any comment on the Federation's May 6 auction of 6-month treasury bills?
The IMF's spokesperson Rice's answer was long, so with the embargo expired we are uploading the video here, filmed from the IMF webcast while at the UN Security Council stakeout:
Rice said the fifth review was completed; the decision by the Parliament to delay decisions including excises on different on tobacco products has delayed completion of the staff review. To go forward, full implementation of the prior actions is needed.
Inner City Press also asked:
In Pakistan, PTI Information Secretary KPK and MNA Ayesha Gulalai has said, “it is very unfortunate that Pakistan's budget is being prepared by the IMF in Dubai.. instead of taxing the 4 million wealthy identified by the FBR, burden is being passed on to the already burdened masses.” What is the IMF's response?
On Madagascar, when George Tsibouris on May 6 said the government agreed to "address the issue of fuel price subsidies over time," can you be more specific on how much time the IMF envisions? Also, can the IMF be more specific about what is referred to by "creating a level playing field for the private sector"?
While the Managing Director is in Morocco, can you answer if Western Sahara is included by the IMF in Morocco's data, and what impact the IMF believes the Western Sahara issue has on Morocco's economy and economic prospects?
This last one, Inner City Press also asked two weeks ago, and again more recently on connection with the IMF's Ukraine program. Watch this site.
