By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell book
BBC - Honduras - CIA Trial book - NY Mag
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Sept 15 – When the International Monetary Fund held its first media briefing since the summer months on September 15, Inner City Press asked spokesperson Gerry Rice about three country. (And, unlike today's UN, he answered on all three; video forthcoming on IMF's website).
Inner City Press asked: On Zambia after the IMF's program announcement on Sept 7 the Civil Society Organization (CSO) Debt Alliance in Zambia said "We implore the government to commit to enhancing transparency and accountability in the usage of the resources that will come with this program. They say the government of Zambia needs to work “on promoting access to information on the utilization of these resources including expediting the process of passing the Access to Information (ATI) Bill early into the program." What is the IMF's response / requirement?"
The IMF's Rice described the Fund's program - then added that there is a "governance diagnostic" report that will be released.
Inner City Press asked, On Suriname, President Santokhi says his country "wants to renegotiate its existing program with the IMF in response to the new global economic reality" (and is asking for help from the Dutch, with a seat on IMF's board). Is the IMF open to such renegotiation and can a board member have the impact envisioned by Santokhi?
IMF's Rice noted they rarely get question on Suriname, but that program is being worked on. And the role of the Netherlands, which was name-checked for signaling support for the Ukraine administrative account?
Inner City Press asked, On Ghana what is the IMF's response to former president Mahama's criticism of the Managing Director blaming the country's woe on COVID and the Ukraine war, and not the current government's policies? What is the status with Ghana?
IMF's Rice said the after expending fiscal firepower on COVID, the Ukraine war is a double whammy. He also said the IMF will soon be sending an in-person mission on if not to Ukraine, probably to be held in Vienna. Watch this site.
Addendum: It was Gerry Rice's last briefing; he received deserved many plaudits including this reporter saying, I've sparred with many spokespeople but you have been delight. True.
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