Tsunami Aid-Will it be used by Multinationals / IMF to exploit & privatize

[NAO]

I just started reading John Pilger's book "The New Rulers of the World". The first chapter is on Indonesia and how it has been ruthlessly exploited by the forces of international capitalization aka globalization.

The IMF has given tremendous loans to the region, many of which were used to construct infrastructure to be used by private transnational corporations which then promptly exploited the local people in sweat shops.

The countries are enslaved to the debt, and the people and natural resources are wide open to international profiteers.

Now I hope that this is merely a symptom of the extreme cynicism I have developed lately, but I had a horrifying thought that the natural tragedy of the tsunami could potentially be exploited.

I could see a scenario where countries that supply "humanitarian aid" end up building infrastructure, with (unreported in the so-called press) strings attached that allow for future exploitation of natural resources and cheap labor.

Assistance schemes could allow for privatization of previously public resources. Imagine Bechtel or Halliburton saying, "Yes, we can rebuild the drinking water production and distribution system. Of course, we will own it then. The water system will be privatized. You didn't expect us to build it for free?" And you can extrapolate this scenario to just about everything that needs rebuilding in the affected areas.

In this scenario, corporations/governments would consider the tsunami aid to be an investment, and they would expect to be able to see a return on that investment. There is nothing more immoral than taking advantage of people who are in desperate need. Consciously or not, if the areas affected by the tsunami become more privatized as a result of aid efforts, then this is what has happened.

I hope I am just being overly cynical. I guess we'll know in 5 to 10 years.

[burrowowl]

1. No you are not being

overly cynical.
That's why it is better to give to NGOs.
And keep fingers, especially US and British Gov. fingers out of the pie.

[Tinoire]

2. No you are not. Not at all.

Bush didn't go from $15 million to $15 million + $20 million loan to $250 million combination of God knows while clearly saying he as going to lead the coalition in "rebuilding" for nothing.

$1 billion? Bush and Halliburton on it like a fly. The oil in that region? Privatized before you can blink.

All very sad. Thanks for the book recommendation.

[Phoebe_in_Sydney]

3. Don't forget the money

... is also being used to launch Jeb on the world stage.

Part one of 2008 election campaign. You don't think the neocons aren't already thinking about how to keep their grip on power and money after this next four years is up.

yeah, call me cynical too, but I suspect everything about these guys' motives.

[sadiesworld]

4. Yes, the global corporatists will take advantage...

that's what they do.

Cynical? No. Informed? Yes.

[NAO]

5. I hope some investigative reporter does a 'preemptive' story on this

and makes people aware of how the IMF and the World Bank use misfortune to enslave people and privatize their counties' resources.

[sadiesworld]

7. Greg Palast, among others, has done some great work in this area.

Of course, you'll never see it in the MSM.

[proud patriot]

6. How many of the resorts destroyed are owned

by small family business owners ?

How many are sheraton , hilton , marriot etc...... ?