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7/1/2002 - Aid? by Curt Gabrielson

ICWA LETTERS Since Institute Current World Affairs Crane Rogers Foundation provided fellowships enable outstanding young professionals outside United States write about international areas issues An exempt operating foundation endowed Charles R Crane Institute supported contributions minded individuals foundations TRUSTEES Bryn Barnard Joseph Battat Mary Lynne Bird Steven Butler William F Foote Kitty Hempstone Pramila Jayapal Peter Bird Martin Ann Mische Dasa Obereigner Paul A Rahe Chandler Rosenberger Katherine Sreedhar Edmund Sutton Dirk J Vandewalle HONORARY TRUSTEES David Elliot David Hapgood Pat M Holt Edwin S Munger Richard H Nolte Albert Ravenholt Phillips Talbot CG Southeast Asia Curt Gabrielson science teacher Institute Fellow observing establishment education East Timor Aid By Curt Gabrielson JULY BAUCAU East Timo USAID US Agency International Development spent million East Timor years This sizable relative nothing compared billion worth weapons US Indonesia during brutal years occupying East Timor Yet times dollars capita US gives Indonesia today I personally quite results money East Timor particular funding solid local groups excellent programs forwarding democratic principles functional systems journalism education justice Are these goals USAID After research I found primary USAID promote foreign security general welfare United States How B assisting peoples world their efforts toward nomic development internal external security Now leaves muddle First title Agency International Development Agency Promotion Wel US APWUS And furthermore supporting example journalism East Timor promoting welfare US I feels explanation USAID East Timor because US genuine interest seeing citizens world formed What USAID truly investment East Timor The US alone aiding East Timor Nor biggest cookie Japan given million Portugal million European Union million Australia million UK million These contribu tions together US amount percent total bilateral East Timor during period October October Add emergency given recovering trauma bilateral totaled million Again question arises Why these governments sudden East Timor Many their histories relating East Timor scandalous When Indonesia invaded defending colony years Portugal turned One forget Japan painful occupation East Timor enslavement people during World War II certainly recent decades which Japan supported Indonesia turned blind massacres East Timor US When US Congress finally US military Indonesia UK stepped smiling offer warplanes helicopters East Timor damned Most shame Australia deals Indonesia billions dollars worth Institute Current World Affairs The Crane Rogers Foundation Four West Wheelock Street Hanover New Hampshire 03755 U S A These figures emergency military include assessed quired contributions UN operations Courtesy La Hamutuk Bulletin locally published monitoring journal After UN sponsored referendum which East Timor voted overwhelmingly independence Indonesia Indonesian military militias controlled destroyed infrastructure East Timor forcibly removed close people See CG CG information natural lying beneath waters East Timor south coast formally recognizing Indonesia occupation East Timor US never Representatives these nations their heads shame streets Dili today What A large portion above mentioned money addition money other governments Trust Fund East Timor The World Bank ministers TFET million East Timor The questions surface flying around speeding Why Bank charge money What specific objec tives money Who making decisions where money And scurrying about margins whole UN agencies UNDP UNHCR UNICEF UNOPS UNIFEM International Non Governmental Organizations INGOs bringing funds fewer zeros support plethora projects length breadth island Where these characters their goals For better worse East Timor playing massive industry Development focus least stated objective virtually economic political activity Nearly money recently showered East Timor earmarked development controlled East Timorese rather agencies listed above Clearly carefully these institutions their goals structures behaviors track records understand going Here evidence agencies everywhere Every trash water Oxfam installed labeled Oxfam Every bridge embankment Portugal helped construct ornate stone pedestal bearing Portugal Each vehicle major appliance donated USAID large white sticker stating USAID personnel question organization dares remove sticker months after Keeping sticker stuck requirement receiving first place AusAID USAID Australian counterpart money cabinets store science equipment schools throughout nation When turned money vided giant stencil proclaiming AusAID complete kangaroo specific program funded project The carpenters paint stencil cabinet It inelegant backside INGOs probably enslaved publicity their smaller The tight circle around INGOs money donors The donors where their money going people money Agencies convey information donors order money It interesting imagine phenomenon taking place US names charities foreign governments tered around small surrounding countryside I feeling would tolerated CG grand capital East Timor receiving rebuilding improving infrastructure launching government This capital comes bilateral donors USAID tinational donors World Bank UN agencies In December after dependence referendum subse quent destruction East Timor Japan hosted international Donors Confer East Timor Both donors leadership East Timor agreed World Bank charge trust which donors could contribute which would doled lowing years Donors pledges amounts would deliver directly toward projects their choice another Consolidated Fund East Timor CFET funds would support transitional East Timorese ernment would according government priorities Four donors conferences since review progress already given This money improved situation greatly East Timor Today East Timor recently independent govern functioning stability peace order prevail nation East Timorese access services general infrastructure roads communication water sanitation police improving Donors money reality But before gushy gratitude nominate these donors awards nobility selflessness should consider torical context goals donors Considering reprehensible behavior these donors decades their contributions today gifts reparations This would necessary today around lives would saved stood invading Indonesia years They To contrary majority bilateral gained considerably dealing Indo nesia years The World Bank itself loaned lions Suharto regime heralding Indonesia magnificent success story neoliberal development4 systematic human rights abuses documented across Archi pelago Thus reparations order I never heard anyone agency reparations Mostly I We doing East Timorese With World Bank East Timor develop education system Considering facts outlined above East Timorese officials maintain their operation Publicity mechanism making happen My experience small international INGO procure materials school believe cycle could perpetu without locals benefiting having thing Sure penned lofty goals increasing educational quality East Timor filled columns Contributions Local Actors these certainly superfluous spending money getting publicity INGO reporting donors while asking another chunk funding For I cycle working advantage I needed these schools order introduce certain experiments physics curricu I encouraged added momentum cycle goods place It strikes locals figured takes cycle turning benefits spewed From cynical perspective INGOs East Timor middle They locate funding outside world deliver projects East Timor while keeping themselves As middle become indispensable possible According experience effective INGO their business facilitating process development I INGOs unique ability finely their programs needs local community Conversely INGO damage limited relatively narrow financial In grand scheme INGOs secondary actors development drama They nearly After Asian Financial Crisis nineties Bank admitted programs Indonesia error INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS receiving should Here analogy A attacks biting flesh continuously Several people leash stand casually serving carnage while commending sique These people sharpen claws Finally called Then people previously watching offer medical assistance Should beholden Trust I known workers opine East Timorese should grateful sistance currently receiving East Timorese express their gratitude toward foreigners arrogant selfish Such attitudes ignore history certainly conducive effective sustainable development At least someone helping things better In reality worldwide industry years Every books documenting adverse times disastrous effects machine La Hamutuk organization which partner Pamela works bookshelf Developed Death Victims Development Dependent Development Needless Hunger Famine Crimes Seeds Famine Paradox Plenty Global Village Global Pillage Inequity Global Village Globalisation Poverty Lords Poverty Mortgaging Earth Aiding Violence Do No Harm Dying Growth Mozambique Who Calls Shots Years Is Enough Reasons Abolish IMF World Bank Ancient Futures Learning From Ladakh The Road Hell These books filled horror stories industry inserting itself desperate currency strapped nations making things worse There similar threads stories nearly every story current parallel East Timor Aid agencies enter small country enormous amounts money local standards wield enormous power local affairs Local groups dividuals strongly influenced chance catch incoming funds This results local organi zations tailoring their plans goals agency USAID wants world donated truck pervasive environment scamming begging More often agencies democratic democratic structures mechanisms transparency knows Perhaps insidious agencies steal local ployees their civil service local organizations offering higher salaries salaries still lower international employees these agencies When UNDP opened nation civic education initiative heisted nearly dozen highly qualified East Timorese their lower paying local positions leaving gaping holes ernment civic organizations Locals snatched international agencies learn assume elite lifestyle their international counterparts sometimes divorcing themselves their culture munity often coming superior their fellow country people I East Timor sight mention counterproductive tainable democratic development Another simple dilemma present nearly every above documentations rotten consultant Consult called number reasons always enormous wages often little offer Plenty consultants I East Timor interested learning about local customs conditions worse assume already They T shirts forehead tattoos Step Aside I K How To Do Development Fa cilitating meeting creation National De velopment Plan P consultant spoke level English harried interpreter translated Tetum wrote Portuguese erase white board It corporate workshop model significant East Timorese pletely unfamiliar scheme staring fusedly their handouts I thought myself I East Timorese sitting meeting would I trust woman No As I these folks They consume money meant assist development offer nothing often create confusion strife among locals terrible example Moreover weight leave East Timor their chances future employers never their bosses clients references They likely continue gravy train years A final issue seldom flowing controlled restricted various Rarely agency allow funds spent strictly according receiver goals Often bilateral meaning spent goods vices donor country Efficiency suitability thrown money marily exclusively aiding companies within CG donor country Nineteen percent US Clinton Administration decided centage insufficient Tied Aid Capital Projects Fund compete other countries tying their Aid restricted frames imposed agency These frames often links economic calendars donor required locals carry reasonable project Once while seeking funds science education equip I followed false frant Ger INGO desperate employment genera project grants micro finance training small enterprise This bosses chunk change slightly month project I shudder think emerged effort It seems projects worth dertaking agencies working plans couple years The World Bank incorporates these activities East Timor In original school furniture project outlined CG July Bank recommended against advice consultants extensive research local conditions furniture imported Local leaders refused along compromise reached which local carpenters constructed percentage furniture The local furniture turned quality cheaper arrived schools earlier Now World Bank school habilitation program entered second phase which entails building model schools ground Are local contractors participate Sure assets prerequisite working project This eliminates every East Timorese contractor exception nections Australia Indonesia Since these model schools constructed entirely imported rials unclear East Timorese models According model things abroad Many Bank initiatives distance The Community Empowerment Project million Bank initiative East Timor meant village funding whatever projects fitting community It million Agriculture Rehabilitation Development Project meant start East Timor small agricul tural enterprises after destruction Bot these projects resulted benefits plenty local criticism regarding frames undemocratic processes At Bank assisting East Timor means grants grants other donors money Bank million coffers TFET nearly which right Bank project participation When begins usual development loans things change considerably The World Bank known International Finan Institution IFI The acronym fitting arrange which billions dollars jerked forth across globe heads governments peoples seems Another IFI Interna tional Monetary Fund Both these IFIs generally operate programs which money loaned given grants As loans given East Timor cause governing until month East Timor under transiti administration UN But early UN agreement East Timorese leaders praise international called IMF East Timor financial institutions generally situate itself economy Employees IMF payroll still working government offices especially those finance treasury Those knowledge IMF track record other countries aghast information speak IMF struc tural adjustment numerous countries across globe marked increases economic inequity ronmental devastation downfall social services health education billions dollars flowing these aided countries Success stories nearly unheard Now East Timor structure being It interesting criticisms World Bank current Bank publicatio incorporate language promoting itself An example Ten years democratic development groups criticized Bank projects Now Bank calling projects which difficult embarrassing translate Tetum continues promote privatized health recovering costs primary education various other policies INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS adjusted IMF personnel working within system The IFIs least democratic industry The World Bank IMF directly answer citizens governments UN Nations representatives serve their boards these representatives neither elected equality power within IFIs internal voting policy gives weight nations tributed It clear wealth makes rules within IFIs situation ocratic nations efforts avoid years In terms trans parency IFIs recently started selves scrutiny after criticism their hypoc promoting transparency receiver nations Still secrecy remains Just finding IFIs doing East Timor For example IMF recommended East Timor adopt US dollar official currency Information debate tremendously important nearly nonexistent Several countries previously implemented dollarization insight recommendation could gained searching their experiences publicly debating But The East Timorese governing National Council voted favor initial proposal purchase million dollars small change without debate questions NC representatives One question whether Council Members simply trusted IMF perhaps personal benefits The public details after IMF backers quick point IMF suggestions policies adjustments Here East Timor indeed local governing officials chose follow IMF suggestions Of course follow these suggestions would certainly result lation imposed majority international nomic players The government Mozambique tried ignoring IMF early ostracized attacked international community several years until buckled agreed IMF structural adjust The IMF included cutbacks already pitiful health social services which worsening conditions majority citizens while elite maintained their riches Various East Timorese leaders members elite East Timor Mozambique witness first likely IMF today Even after Asian Economic Crisis IMF essentially agreed policies sulted magnifying problems tries began scheme forgive small portion crippling several nations forgiveness contingent further structural adjustment Most bewildering executives IFIs generally positions corporate financial world It simply unrealistic think these business magnates trusted middle class developing tries Their positions negate possibility having understanding people And charge Unless IFIs severely democratized I little effect changes beneficial major world inhabitants The East Timorese leader while personally standing IFIs faces challenge dealing these institutions without forfeiting control nation resources Earlier East Timor created National De velopment Plan This requested dated donors Donors Conference prerequisite continued funding The World Bank assistance process bringing together East Timorese goals years As could expected incredibly hurried confused process results reflect I priorities locals think donors The Plan contains phrases likely hearts minds East Timorese market economic system labor discipline riculture social safety sustainable domes capabilities This makes ponder process rigged multiple choice Which these identical miserable choices choose How Plan really effect government policy depend future Donor Missions which representatives donor countries IFIs visit East Timor known their opinions current state development opinions weight future Having The responsible giver wants receiver accountable order squandered But seems strategic local leaders receiving accountable public large rather accountable foreign donor For happen public informed objectives Unfortunately rarely larger donors certainly velopment projects I across East Timor As mentioned above goals these rarely simple aiding receiving nation Donor countries always their welfare likely projects strategic benefits themselves IFIs deeply entrenched global corporate environment possessing idolatry growth capitalism whatever expense mounting historic evidence unviability CG vision Even INGOs institutions first interested prolonging their existence Understanding international effect coincidental result strategy helps greatly dealing industry I East Timorese indeed discovery using swirling about East Timor today At fundamental level should reduce inequal However despite burgeoning industry inequality getting worse UNDP ratio income between world richest percent percent risen The No Nonsense Guide Globalisation points eight years during global economic developing countries services received loans The Bank itself number people living increased decade billion Kofi Anan recently reiterated UN request nations world equal percent their GNP overseas development This request acknowledges inequity world today outlines strategy towards overcoming The US currently gives GNP toward overseas We squat bottom giving nations giving quarter average contribution among Every large nation West Europe gives small Spain gives twice Finland gives three times Tiny Denmark gives times GNP foreign development projects US Japan economy around US Japan gives nearly twice foreign US This information makes think twice about general sentiment US supporting world If US followed UN request increased international military factor seven billion billion world would different place indeed If given responsibly goals receiver following frame established receiver great things could At US continues prioritize narrow US goals gaining global influence giving support US corporations I I interested increasing I concluded though servations East Timor effective strategy lowering unconscionable global inequali exist today I highl effective primarily through smaller NGOs smaller ernment programs I projects Oxfam Peace Winds Japan governments Finland Ireland example extremely sensitive local conditions goals highly qualified motivated internationals working together local groups democratic manner USAID East Timor I mentioned earlier involved several projects It enormous challenge required elements place effective program reverse years mount inequality The US should reverse serving stinginess challenge At least US East Timor should reparations increased accordingly In IMF World Bank World Trade Organization announced coherence agreement which coordinate future activity This rrisome since WTO pretext helping anyone focuses entirely clearing corporate domination In ironies industry workers often wrangle their positions creating projects effective In system similar cumbersome civil services developing countries bodies industry continually criticizes scapegoats economic difficulties Inequality increasing within countries The Center Popular Economics US their income decline percent between while theirs increase percent Statistics Organization Economic Cooperation Development The givers Development Assistance Committee within OECD communicate regularly coordinate cooperate INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS Institute Fellows chosen basis character previous experience promise They young professionals funded spend minimum years carrying designed programs study writing outside United States The Fellows quired report their findings experiences field month They write subject formally informally The result unique reporting analysis assessment interna tional events issues Author Gabrielson Curt Title ICWA Letters South Asia ISSN Imprint Institute Current World Affairs Hanover NH Material Type Serial Language English Frequency Monthly Other Regions East Asia The Americas Europe Russia Mideast North Africa Sub Saharan Africa ICWA Letters ISSN lished Institute Current World Affairs Inc exempt operat foundation incorporated New York State offices located West Wheelock Street Hanover NH 03755 The letters rovided charge members ICWA available libraries professional researchers subscription Phone E Mail ICWA valley Fax Web Site Executive Director Peter Bird Martin Program Assistant Brent Jacobson Publications Ellen Kozak Institute Current World Affairs The Crane Rogers Foundation The formation contained publication reproduced without writer permission