New year with a bang

“There is no calamity greater than lavish desires. There is no greater guilt than discontentment. And there is not greater disaster than greed."
—Lao-tzu, The Way of Lao-tzu

2004 ended and 2005 started with such a bang. It was a different bang however. It was not a bang of celebration. On the contrary it was a deadly and devastating bang – a bang that brought so much grief and sorrow all over this planet.

This column is in sympathy with the millions of people who lost loved ones in the tsunami disaster that capped the year 2004. Hundreds of thousands died and millions more suffered in that unprecedented catastrophe. It is indeed a sad note to end a year and start a new one.

As of this time relief operations are on going. This tragedy focused a spotlight on the capacity of these developing South nations to rehabilitate their country and be more effective to rebuild the lives of their people. This disaster has brought to the fore the issue of debt especially those nations hit by the ferocious tsunami.

In this light, this column is accommodating a sign-on statement circulated by Jubilee-South Movement and the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) in the Internet. As of this moment thousand of individuals and groups based in different countries worldwide have signed this statement.

Please write or send text message to this column if you want to sign on (see contact details at the end of this article). We are also asking for you to circulate this and ask others to sign. This statement with all the signatories will be sent to Northern and Southern governments, and to the IMF, WB, ADB, UN and other international institutions via email.

In the face of Debt and Disaster: Long-lasting Relief for the Peoples of the South!

We express our deepest sympathy and solidarity for the peoples of Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and many other South countries who are currently suffering from the devastation unleashed by the tsunami last December 26. We cannot overemphasize how profoundly saddened we are by the climbing death toll, numbering over 155,000 as of January 4, the many thousand others missing or injured, the destruction of property, the loss of livelihoods and the widespread dislocation of communities.

The Philippines was also severely hit by super-typhoons in the last few weeks, leading to the death of more than 1,000 people, the destruction of over 10,000 hectares of farmlands, and the rendering 53,000 families homeless and without access to clean water.

Now, more than ever, at their hour of greatest need, the peoples of the South must be heeded in their long-standing demand for debt cancellation. In the face of this massive destruction, northern and international creditors should not continue to hold South peoples in bondage for debts that have in large part, only contributed to their impoverishment and deprivation.

If there is any measure of sincerity in the outpouring of compassion from North governments for the peoples of the South, let this be through concrete action. In addition to emergency relief operations and rehabilitation, what we need immediately is:

UNCONDITIONAL DEBT CANCELLATION NOW!

Southern governments should not continue to prioritize debt service, and squander much needed public funds:

STOP PAYING ONEROUS and ILLEGITIMATE DEBTS!

Prioritize relief and rehabilitation, basic social services, clean and safe water, and other human development programs!

(For comments and suggestions please email ianseruelo@yahoo.com or send text message to 0919-3486337.)