|
Resolution
from the US Africa Sister Cities Conference
May
27, 2005
WHEREAS,
The US-African Sister Cities Foundation has 35,000 members and
affiliations with 103 U.S. cities.
These cities have sister cities relationships in 94 African
cities in 30 countries on the continent of Africa.
Based on our commitment to our African Sister Cities and the
continent of Africa, we stand with like-minded organizations and persons
in calling for the 100% relief of debt to nations on the continent of
Africa; and
WHEREAS,
the crippling effect of debt on Sub-Saharan Africa creates situations
requiring the affected countries to spend more on debt servicing than on
health care or education; and
WHEREAS,
the African people should not be forced to repay loans that did not
benefit them, but were often used to suppress and even to kill them; and
WHEREAS,
the issue of debt relief is not unique to Africa and not without
precedent in US foreign policy (i.e., Europe after WWII, Mexico, and
even the current proposal to relieve the debt in Iraq ;) and
WHEREAS,
the forgiveness of debt would improve the quality of life in African
countries, promote stable governments, and support democracies in the
countries on the continent of Africa; and
WHEREAS,
the slowing of economic growth in Africa makes it increasingly difficult
for African governments to repay their loans, leading to the possible
repudiation of debt repayments, creating an economic shock to the global
economy; and
NOW
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the US
Government should join with the world community in promoting fair and
just economies, societies and governments to move forward on the issue
of 100% debt cancellation for African countries; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the
continuation of policies that support economic bondage precipitated by
the debt burden constitutes a renewed form of servitude; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the failure
of US policy-makers to support a proclamation of emancipating African
countries from the burden of crippling and un-repayable debt is
inconsistent with a global leader of high ethical and moral character;
and
BE
IT ALSO FURTHER RESOLVED, that it is
incumbent on the G8 leadership to devise a means of providing 100%
cancellation of Africa’s multilateral debt. We urge reconsideration
and negotiation of the appropriate agreements for the upcoming July G8
summit in order that its members:
- Provide
100% debt stock cancellation for all impoverished nations, not
simply those that qualify for the IMF/World Bank HIPC initiative;
and
- Include
IMF debt; and
- Avoid
imposing economic conditions; and
- Provide
measures that empower civil societies to be an integral part of the
solution and to ensure accountability; and further
- Utilize
the World Bank and IMF existing resources, to include gold reserves,
to finance this cancellation.
BE
IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the US Africa
Sister Cities Foundation, Incorporated, will stand firmly behind the
commitment of all concerned organizations and persons to call for the
100% relief of debt to all nations on the continent of Africa.
US
Africa Sister Cities Foundation, Inc.
2000 Upshur St., NW
Washington, DC 20018
202-231-7924 or 202-635-7479
|
