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World Bank Paper on Odious Debt: Dismissive and Limited

28 March 2008

Introduction

This is Eurodad’s response to the World Bank’s September 2007 discussion paper: “The concept of odious debt: some considerations”. It provides input for the round-table on odious debt and responsible lending which will be hosted by the World Bank on 14 April 2008. More specifically it points to the paper’s one-sided treatment of the subject and provides counter-arguments to many of those levied by the World Bank in opposition to the concept of odious debt.

That the World Bank has finally accepted the need for a round-table discussion on this issue is welcome and is thanks to the advocacy efforts of a broad coalition of organisations around the globe. Many civil society groups believe that odious and illegitimate debt are important issues which have not been given fair due and attention by policy-makers. We trust that this dialogue will represent the first of a series of open and constructive exchanges on the subject.

World Bank Paper on Odious Debt: Dismissive and Limited : Kb