Madam, - The debate on whether or not to support developing governments with budget support is to be welcomed.
However, there are many aspects of Joe Humphreys's articles (June 10th and 12th) and the letters that followed (June 14th) which I would disagree.
Firstly, I must take issue with the topic of "sitting allowances". These are not a "crime" and do not "buy secrecy". They are an official part of the government pay structure. A general civil servant in Tanzania receives less than €100 a month as basic salary. The logic behind sitting allowances is to reward those who work more and to encourage people to attend meetings. It is important to put this in context.
Secondly, generalisations about corruption across the continent of Africa are futile. Politically, Tanzania is as close to Sierra Leone as Ireland is to war-torn parts of Eastern Europe. Tanzania has made huge progress in the past 10 years. When one country is tarnished by corruption, that reputation has a tendency to drift over the whole continent in the eyes of most Westerners.
Instead the Western media could be well advised to focus on the many positive stories coming from Africa and be aware that inaccurate, negative reporting carries a portion of the blame for any donor fatigue.
An article depicting corruption as an "African disease" is unfortunately ironic in light of the week that's in it. No doubt if Charlie Haughey had been Tanzanian, there would be many calling for the withdrawal of aid to this country. And can you imagine the screeches of indignation: "They're even giving him a State funeral!"
With a shared history of colonisation and discrimination, the citizens of Ireland are better placed than most to understand the intricacies of African development. Please do Africa the courtesy of providing a more balanced and true picture. - Yours, etc,
JOSEPH LAKE, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.