World Bank and IMF meetings prompt widespread coverage of Jubilee 2000 in US

As the world leaders gather in Washington at the World Bank and IMF meetings, the US media have turned their spotlight on the growing Jubilee 2000 campaign in the US.

The Wall Street Journal on 26^th April revealed records of direct conversations between the Pope and Bill Clinton on the issue of debt.

“Pope John Paul II raised the issue of debt relief when he met with President Clinton in St Louis in January. “I am determined that the US play a leadership role in this important moral endeavour, and I wish to thank you, the Catholic church, and the Jubilee 2000 campaign for providing such inspirational guidance to the world community,” Mr Clinton wrote afterwards in a letter to the pontiff. “ As we approach the millennium, I'd like to assure you that I'm committed to assisting in the effort to improve the human condition in the world's poorest countries by promoting economic reform and expanding the scale of debt relief.”

It credited these discussions to the growing support for debt relief built by Jubilee 2000 across the world.

“In a grass roots campaign reminiscent of the drive against South African apartheid, the debt-relief movement, particularly the faith-based Jubilee 2000 coalition, has jarred the highest levels of power. Carole Collins, national coordinator for Jubilee 2000/USA said that “Popular pressure has finally focused their (the G7) attention on the unpayable debt of the poor countries.” Public pressure has been mounting for a wider effort. In May,

70 000 protesters formed a human chain, symbolising the bonds of debt, around the site in Birmingham, England, where G7 and Russian leaders were meeting.”

The New York Times reported on pressure by the US Catholic Bishops on Clinton to grant debt relief to the world's poorest nations.

“In the 19-page statement, the bishops linked their call to the approach of the year 2000, which a growing number of religious leaders, including Pope John Paul II have said ought to be the occasion of the jubilee, a concept envisioned in the book of Leviticus as a time of financial relief for the poor. One participant, Archbishop Medardo Mazombwe of Zambia, said his nation's debt was such that every man, woman and child owes $750,” a crushing burden that had led to a lack of spending on education, health care, housing and other necessities. The Archbishop is quoted in the bishops' statement, as is the Pope, who recently called for “reducing substantially, if not cancelling outright” poor nation's debts.”

The media noted a growing consensus amongst creditors that more action needed to be taken on debt relief. This was confirmed by Michel Camdessus, the IMF managing director in a news conference. “There is a consensus on the need for further steps to relieve debt.”

PR Week on the 16^th April quoted Anthony Gaeta, spokesman for the World Bank. He acknowledged in glowing terms the work of Jubilee 2000.

"It [Jubilee 2000] has managed to put a relatively arcane issue - that of international finance and development - on the negotiating table throughout the world. The pledges Clinton and Brown have made would not have happened without Jubilee 2000. It's one of the most effective global lobbying campaigns I have ever seen."