Re: Comments of Amanuel
James Mccoy (mailto:james.mccoy@CHANNEL1.COM)
Wed, 17 May 1995 20:05:00 -0640
Message-ID: <40.1883.2859@channel1.com>
Date: Wed, 17 May 1995 20:05:00 -0640
From: James Mccoy <mailto:james.mccoy@CHANNEL1.COM>
Subject: Re: Comments of Amanuel
To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L
The enlightened comments of Amanuel should be carefully considered by many of
the American 'do gooders' that think the US is at the root of every mismanaged
country's problems. The only point where I would disagree with Amanuel is where
he says that the US and other western countries have a moral obligation....
The US, despite its military capability, has no monopoly on moral authority and
no legitimate basis for imposing its vision of morality on anyone. Eritrea,
Botswana, present day Uganda are all examples of strong, visionary leadership
with little direct influence by the US. For too long, Africa has been
manipulated by charismatic, pseudo-nationalist post colonial leaders who had
little interest in anything but lining their own pockets. Anti-colonialist
feelings, tribal or ethnic tensions--all have been employed by cunning, amoral
leaders to bankrupt their countries and demean their people. The US, the World
Bank and the IMF can do only so much to assist. And for anyone suggesting that
the World Bank or IMF have imposed harsh structural adjustment conditions on
any country, the simple fact is that no country is bound to deal with either
institution. But since these organizations are not charities--despite the
belief of many and the concessionary work they indeed do--responsible action on
their part is essential when a country's leadership has demonstrated its
irresponsibility.