IMF holds meetings at Police State Singapore!

[Joanne98]

Money can't buy IMF love
September 15, 2006

http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/money-cant-buy-imf-love/2006/09/14/1157827096050.html

The world financial leaders are gathered in Singapore for meetings that could produce some of the most significant reforms in the IMF's 60-year history.

■ The United States is the largest funder of the IMF and the fund's sister organisation, the World Bank. Member countries pay its annual expenses through a quota system, with the US Treasury providing more than half the total. In March 2006, the IMF had $US223 billion in usable resources.

■ About $US28 billion of IMF loans to 74 countries are outstanding. Brazil received the IMF's biggest loan — a $US30 billion package in 2001 to help steady its economy.

■ The Singapore meeting has attracted attention not only because of the issues, but also because the city state is renowned for taking a tough line on public demonstrations. Protesters must be approved and can only demonstrate in a limited indoor area. Some people have been banned.

REUTERS

http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/money-cant-buy-imf-love/2006/09/14/1157827096050.html

[AX10]

1. Singapore is a shithole.

[Selatius]

2. Those IMF loans come with strings attached

Like the requirement that when you accept the loan, you have to privatize your power and water utilities to companies like Enron, Halliburton, Bechtel, et al.

This is the reason why so many people shifted left in Latin America: Because the US-backed IMF abused them all and raped them of their resources.

[ShortnFiery]

3. I lived there for a year in 1964 under martial law

My father was a Military Contractor sent to Singapore. I attended first grade in "Americas School."

I almost died from food poisoning and my best friend committed suicide by throwing himself in front of a bus because the other children were teasing him about his heritage (half UK/half Japanese).

Needless to say, I only have one word from what I saw and experienced in Singapore: Austere

Nope, "the authorities" rule with an iron fist. If you are on the streets after Curfew, they are within their rights to shoot you dead - no questions asked. :scared:

But hey! The orchids were gorgeous. :eyes:

[Dogmudgeon]

4. A little S-and-M this year, lah?

Just like Disneyland, but with canings.

In their defense, the "legal" system of Singapore prefers to only cane young people, sex criminals, and Indonesians. After all, it's not like they're going to get lawyers.

And, (hint, hint), they're not part of the IMF in-crowd. (Well, maybe the sex criminals.)

:spank:

--p!

[kenny blankenship]

5. why not? It's your future...

[TechBear_Seattle]

6. IMF, WTO and the like can not meet in an open, democratic country

All those pesky free speech and free press rights that let the radical elements get rowdy (anyone remember Seattle 1999?)

As a result, they meet in countries like Singapore and Saudi Arabia nowadays. Things are much safer and much more peaceful that way.