A Chara, - In response to John Carroll (September 27th), those of us directly involved in the Jubilee 2000 campaign can testify that the response to the petition calling for debt cancellation is a reflection of the worldwide concern of people who care passionately about the appalling and unjust burden placed on the poor in the majority world by the debt crisis. To suggest, as Mr Carroll does, that it is somehow the result of press-ganging by teachers is to do a great injustice to this concern and to those who express it.
The Jubilee 2000 Campaign has, since its inception, been conducted in an open manner. The debate continues to receive extensive media coverage and the campaign is fortunate to enjoy the active support of many well-known figures who work extremely hard to keep the issue in the public domain.
To suggest that the debt crisis is the result of war and war-mongering is a nonsense. What about the well-documented and irresponsible commercial lending practices of the late 1970s, the fall in prices of those raw materials exported by poor countries, the oil shocks and the worldwide recession that followed? The debt crisis came about for a variety of reasons, depending on the country concerned. But, in almost every case, the lender as well as the borrower carries some responsibility for what happened. Unfortunately, it is the very people who had no control over any of these factors, namely the poor of the majority world, who continue to suffer because of them.
The campaign recognises the need for mechanisms to be put in place to ensure that money freed by debt relief is used properly. That is why members of the Jubilee 2000 Campaign continually call for rigorous monitoring of how money is spent as well as genuine efforts to ensure transparent and participatory decision-making. If we care about fighting corruption and building democracy we have to care about debt relief. Because of the conditions attached, the very process of granting debt relief will help to build more accountable and participatory systems.
We need to remember two things: Not all governments of poor countries are corrupt. Not all rich-country governments are honest.
Economic degradation breeds corruption. It did so in Germany after the first World War, but after the second World War Germany received debt relief and both democracy and its economy flourished.
Finally, Mr Carroll would do well to give some thought to the source of those arms he believes the governments of the majority world are so keen to procure. - Is mise,
Niamh Carty, Christian Aid Ireland, Christ Church, Rathgar Road, Dublin 6.