Global Issues

Anup Shah
http://www.globalissues.org

In this update:
---------------
1) The accumulated global foreign aid shortfall since 1970 totals to
over $2.5 trillion (at 2003 prices)

2) A White House memo reveals early decision to invade Iraq even
without a second UN resolution

3) U.S. and world military spending numbers have been updated

4) Hundreds of new plant and animal species discovered in western
New Guinea
---------------
1) The accumulated global foreign aid shortfall since 1970 totals to
over $2.5 trillion (at 2003 prices).

In 1970, the rich countries of the OECD agreed at the United Nations
(resolution 2626) to donate 0.7% of their GNP as official
development aid to help with long term development of the poorest
countries. The vast majority of the 20 or so OECD countries have
never met that target (agreed to be reached early to mid 1970s),
many not coming close. Since 1970 then, the total shortfall in aid
(at 2003 figures) is over $2.5 trillion, a similar amount to total
third world debt. However, considering that in recent years
official aid has included items not intended for long term aid as
originally defined, and that most aid does not go to the poorest
countries (Sub-Saharan Africa has on average only received 18% of
delivered aid, for example), the short fall is potentially much
higher.
http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Development/aid/shortfall/

2) A White House memo reveals early decision to invade Iraq even
without a second UN resolution.

A White House memo reveals details of a meeting between George Bush
and Tony Blair confirming what many critics charged-that the US and
UK had decided to go to war against Iraq regardless of if they got a
second UN resolution, or not, and even considered using illegal
deception if they needed to.
http://www.globalissues.org/Geopolitics/MiddleEast/Iraq/WhiteHouseMemo.asp

3) U.S. and world military spending numbers have been updated.

The U.S. has requested $462.7 billion for the 2007 for the military
budget (this does not include Iraq and Afghanistan operations). The
next country, China, spends around $62.5 billion. Updated graph
reflecting the U.S. and world military spending in more recent
years.
http://www.globalissues.org/Geopolitics/ArmsTrade/Spending.asp

4) Hundreds of new plant and animal species discovered in western
New Guinea.

New species of birds, frogs, butterflies, palm trees, and many other
plants yet to be classified, as well as animals extremely rare in
other parts of the world were discovered recently in a remote
mountain rainforest region of western New Guinea (Indonesia). This
further highlights that conservation is more than just conserving
animals; it is also about conserving their habitat.
http://www.globalissues.org/EnvIssues/Nature.asp



Other Information:
------------------
http://www.globalissues.org/WhatsNew/