Tag Archives: oil

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 22 – 25 October 2012. Cops kill U.S. troops! Australian & Italian soldiers killed! Wives killing husbands! Red Coats killing Red Coats! U.S. supports British created Pakistani border!

25 October 2012

In Faryab Province, a major battle broke out. Afghan government officials claim they killed 25 Mujahideen, and five Afghan National Police troops were killed.

In Farah Province, one Italian soldier was killed, three wounded, after someone open fired on them.  No one knows who did it.

In Uruzgan Province, two U.S. personnel were killed by an Afghan National Policeman:“Two U.S. Forces -Afghanistan service members died after an individual wearing an Afghan National Police uniform turned his weapon against them in Khas Uruzgan, Uruzgan.”-ISAF statement

Also, in the same province, there are reports that an Afghan National Army soldier killed one Australian Digger, and wounded another.  The shooting took place inside a military compound, the ANA soldier got away.

In Helmand Province, two British Royal Marines Red Coats died.  They had been wounded in a firefight in Nahr-e Saraj district the day before.

In Baghlan Province, reports say various police units attacked each other.  Three cops were killed.  Local government officials say the fight broke out after national police ignored warnings from local police.

In Herat Province, a local cop was killed by his wife, and his daughter.  His wife confessed and said he was forcing her and her daughter to commit illicit acts.  The cop just happened to be the boss of the local girls’ hostel.

24 October 2012

In Helmand Province, a confused battle resulted in British Red Coats killing Afghan government forces, and themselves!  According to local government officials two joint Afghan-British patrols, in the Greshk district, mistook each other as Mujahideen: “A group of British troops opened fire on an Afghan national police [who was about to perform Muslim prayers] and killed him. [those] British troops were then attacked by a group of other British soldiers who were also patrolling in the area, killing two service members.”-Farid Ahmad Farhang, Helmand security official

In Farah Province, a district official and a cop were assassinated by explosion.  Two bodyguards were wounded. The official was performing night inspections of security check points.

Spanish officials announced that they will pull their troops out of Afghanistan by the end of 2013.

23 October 2012

ISAF said: “A U.S. Forces-Afghanistan service member died following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan today.”

U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, James Cunningham, confirmed statements that said the United States supports the British empire created border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.  Known as the Durand Line, the British took land away from Afghanistan in order to create a buffer zone between Afghanistan and British controlled India in 1893.  Latter the British kept that area as part of the new Pakistan in 1947.  Afghan officials have refused to recognize the Durand Line: “The status of the Durand Line is a matter of historic importance for the Afghan people. The Afghan government therefore rejects and considers irrelevant any statement by anyone about the legal status of this line.”-recent Afghan government statement

USMC General John R. Allen admits U.S. forces are killing children, and tried to make up for it by apologizing: “ISAF has completed its initial assessment of the circumstances of the October 20 operation against known insurgents in Baraki Barak district, Logar province. In addition to the insurgents killed during the operation, ISAF may be responsible for the unintended, but nonetheless tragic, death of three Afghan civilians.  I offer my sincerest condolences to the families of the civilians that were killed. Additionally, I am committed to ensuring we do the right thing for the families of those harmed and we will meet with them personally to offer a condolence payment and express our deep regrets. Protecting Afghan civilians is the cornerstone of our mission. We maintain our commitment to take all appropriate actions to minimize the likelihood of similar occurrences in the future as we assist the Afghan people in their battle against the enemies of peace and stability.”

Allen mentions 20 October, but there were also U.S. killings of innocents on 14 & 16 October.

In Zabul Province, Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, claims U.S./NATO forces kidnapped three civilians.  Karzai ordered the provincial governor to investigate U.S./NATO forces, he also condemned the 20 October U.S. attack that killed children.

In Nuristan Province, local government officials say a battle is taking place with Afghan government forces and Mujahideen.  Several people have been killed including one child.

In Herat Province, local government officials say a large battle resulted in the deaths of as many as 10 cops and soldiers. Several more cops are missing.  Their joint patrol was ambushed by Mujahideen.   The police/army patrol was out trying to rescue aid workers who had also been ambushed.

In Laghman Province, a U.S./NATO patrol was ambushed. The ambush took place as the vehicle patrol passed through Basram village.  Mujahideen claim they hit one armored vehicle with RPGs, killing all on board.

British Red Coat Ministry of Defence announced they are doubling the number of their assassination drones in Afghanistan.  They will bring in five more Reaper drones, specifically for use in Helmand Province.

22 October 2012

In Ghazni Province, Mujahideen claim to have killed five U.S./NATO personnel.

In Wardak and Kandahar provinces, at least eight people were killed by U.S./NATO airstrikes.

In Khost Province, two cops were killed, four wounded, by explosion.

Pakistan claims Afghanistan is hiding the mastermind behind the attempted assassination of a 14 years old Pakistani girl activist.

Protestors blocked the Kandahar-Kabul highway in the city of Qalat.  They are protesting the fact that Afghans killed while in the custody of U.S./NATO forces are rarely being returned to their families.  In one recent case, three people killed by U.S./NATO forces, and then buried by their families, had their graves blown up by U.S./NATO forces.

ISAF announced: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan October 21.”

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Global Economic war & World War 3: Iran orders the United States to back off! Will stop all oil sales to the World!

“If you continue to add to the sanctions we will cut our oil exports to the world…..The dearth of Iranian oil on the market will increase the price drastically.”-Rostam Qasemi, Iran’s Minister of Petroleum

On 23 October 2012, Iranian officials quietly announced that Iran is prepared to stop all its oil sales to the world, if the United States and Europe continue economic sanctions.

On 15 October, the European Union voted for more sanctions against Iran.

Iranian officials say they are ready for “Plan B”, which means halting all petroleum sales and running their country without oil revenues.  This is possible because Iran’s non-oil exports are now high enough to offset the huge loss of oil money.

Even Iran’s domestic industries are becoming more self sufficient.  Example: According to the World Steel Association, Iran’s steel industry is now the 16th largest in the world: “Despite the intensified sanctions during the last two years, the capacity of Iran’s steel production has increased 5 million tons and we will be completely self-sufficient in the steel industry in the next three years.”-Hamidreza Taherizadeh, Vice-President of Iran’s Steel Association

The announcement was made at a OPEC meeting in Dubai.

International, U.S.

World War 3: Syria clears prisons of thousands of non-violent offenders. Making room due to the on-going U.S./Israeli backed civil war?

24 October 2012, Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, has pardoned 290 non-violent prisoners, like those who committed crimes such as theft, forgery and military desertion.

This is not the first time prisoners have been pardoned.  Since the start of the Syrian Civil War, about one thousand non-violent prisoners have been set free.

Those prisoners not being let go are those who have killed, or have smuggled weapons and drugs.

Business/Economics, International, Technology, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Dow Chemical to close 20 factories, despite making profits! Warns economy is getting worse!

“Economic growth in 2012 has slowed to a trickle, and that has spooked a lot of people.”-Jake Dollarhide, Longbow Asset Management

“Our low cost feedstock [natural gas] advantage enabled us to deliver volume growth, despite weakening demand. These difficult conditions [bad economy] may have extended staying power, as the new reality is that we are operating in a slow growth and volatile world.”-Andrew Liveris, Dow Chemical CEO

On 24 October 2012, Liveris explained the 2,400 job cuts (inadvertently announced the day before) as being necessary because Dow officials see the world economy getting worse.

Some analysts were surprised by the elimination of jobs and 20 factories: “Dow had very strong volumes in an uncertain macroeconomic environment. When I heard the announcement they were cutting jobs, I thought they had a really bad quarter, but it seems that business is A-OK.”-Hassan Ahmed, Alembic Global Advisors

Stock market investors are overjoyed at the announcement of the elimination of jobs (as they always are), and Dow Chemical stock values shot up 5 to 6% the morning after the job cuts were announced.

Dow reported net revenue for this past quarter at $582 million USD.  But that’s down from the same quarter last year, when they reported $900 million. (note: various U.S. media sources are reporting slightly different revenue numbers) Dow officials say their sales are down across the board.  The only area they see possible increase in sales is in their plastics made from cheap natural gas.

Their natural gas supplies come from the U.S. Gulf of Mexico operations, and Saudi Arabia.  Dow has no plans for cutting workers from those operations. About 1,500 of the job losses will come from Dow’s paint and solar cell factories.

20 factories in Japan, Belgium, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain and the United States will be closed.  Bloomberg reports that Dow did not want to make the layoffs public, but mistakenly emailed the announcement to some media outlets!

Despite stock investors buying up Dow stock, the chemical company said it will also cut $500 million from their own investing and capital spending.   That’s the exact opposite of what U.S. President Barack Obama has been saying is needed to revive the economy.  Obama has been stressing that unAmerican Corporate America needs to increase spending on investments and capital.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Israel launches surprise airstrike….against Sudan! Fox News & NPR lies!

24 October 2012, oil rich Sudan says four Israeli warplanes bombed a factory in their capitol city of Khartoum.

So far no comment from Israel.

The attack took place late Tuesday night setting the factory on fire, the fire is just now under control.  The Yarmouk Military Industrial Complex makes ammo and weapons for the Sudanese military.

Fox News, National Public Radio (NPR) and The Associated Press all reported: “They did not say what caused the blast.”

However, the Israeli media itself reports that the Sudanese government says the factory explosions and fire were caused by four Israeli aircraft: “Four military planes attacked the Yarmouk plant.”-Ahmed Bilal Osman, Culture and Information Minister for Sudan

Australian media reports that Sudan will retaliate: “We think Israel did the bombing. We reserve the right to react at a place and time we choose.”-Ahmed Bilal Osman, Culture and Information Minister for Sudan

Why are the U.S. and British controlled media trying to downplay this?   (elections)

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 19 – 21 October 2012. More children killed by U.S./NATO forces! Russian copter fired upon! Bagram airbase on fire! More proof that oil, for China, is too blame!

21 October 2012

In Uruzgan Province, an Australian Digger was killed: “The soldier was clearing the compound when an IED detonated, killing him instantly.”-David Hurley, Australian Defence Force

In in the northern provinces of Faryab and Sar-e-Pul, China’s National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) began pumping out oil in the Amu Darya basin.  China has a 25 years contract for oil mining in Afghanistan, thanks in part to the U.S. led occupation of the Central Asian country.  CNPC expects to pump out 1,950 barrels per day.

The Afghan Foreign Ministry announced that no peace deal can be made with Mujahideen unless they are given immunity.  One problem is that many Mujahideen leaders are currently not allowed to take part in peace talks, under United Nations rules.

In Logar Province, local government officials say a U.S./NATO rocket attack killed four children, and wounded two as they walked to school.  Mujahideen report that it was mortar rounds from a U.S./NATO base, called Kizr, that landed on a house, killing all six children.

20 October 2012

French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, revealed that French troops could be out of Afghanistan by the end of December 2012!

In Helmand Province, six local cops were killed by two of their co-workers!  Also, a bicycle bomb went off near the governor’s office, no details on casualties.

In Paktia Province, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter working for U.S./NATO/ISAF, was shot at.  No one was hurt, four bullet holes were found in the fuselage.

19 October 2012

In Khost Province, Afghan government forces turned on each other, killing three and wounding one.  Reports say Afghan border police, National Army and National Police shot at each other.  Government officials say it was caused by a “personal issue”.

In Parwan Province, reports that Bagram airbase was attacked by Mujahideen.  This time a food warehouse operated by a military contractor was hit with machine gun fire, and rocket propelled grenades.  The contractor says the warehouse caught fire and burned into Saturday.

In Balkh Province, 15 people were killed, 18 wounded, after the mini-bus they were in ran over a landmine.

In Herat Province, Mujahideen report that a U.S./NATO helicopter crashed at Shindand airbase.  They say the copter went down due to mechanical problems.

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 16 – 18 October 2012. Hundreds of Afghan government troops dying for the United States every month! NATO officials make surprise visit. Women behind violence against women? Attacks launched against Pakistan! U.S. admits to targeting children!

18 October 2012

In Parwan Province, another U.S./NATO supply convoy was attacked.  Local police say Mujahideen managed to put a bomb on one of the fuelers, which exploded.  However, Mujahideen say they blew up the fueler with a remote controlled landmine. The driver was killed.

In Zabul Province, Mujahideen claim to have destroyed four vehicles in a U.S./NATO convoy, killing or wounding eight people.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) admitted that hundreds of Afghan government troops are sacrificing themselves for the United States!  The ISAF report stated that, so far for 2012,  Afghan National Army (ANA) troops are dying or being wounded at the rate of 243 per month!  ISAF reported that Afghan National Police (ANP) troops are dying or being wounded at the rate of 292 per month!  That’s more than 500 Afghan government personnel killed or wounded per month, fighting for empire of the United States!

ISAF also said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died as a result of a non-battle related injury in eastern Afghanistan.”

Officials with the U.S. created North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) made a surprise visit to Kabul: “My clear message is that the whole international community will stay committed to helping Afghanistan in the future…”-Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General

Amnesty International claims a 20 years old woman was beheaded by her mother-in-law, for refusing to be a prostitute.  Most reports of violence against women focus on men, but in this case it was the woman’s mother-in-law that was forcing her to engage in prostitution, and when she refused the mother-in-law paid a man to kill her.

People in the region of North Waziristan, Pakistan, reported that four mortar rounds impacted in their area.  The mortar fire came from Afghanistan.

Yet another U.S. based private security company (Jorge Scientific) is in trouble after a video showed their employees behaving like total retards!  American Broadcasting Company revealed the video, which came from two former employees who quit because of rampant drug and alcohol abuse by co-workers.

In Nanagarhar Province, several cops joined the Mujahideen.  Mujahideen made their names public.

17 October 2012

Major battles in Paktia Province.  Mujahideen claim to have shot down two U.S./NATO helicopters.  Reports say this happened as the copters were about to land to pick up wounded ANA troops.  At least 53 people were wounded, including 45 Afghan government personnel, after a mini bus packed with explosive went off.  A 14 years old girl was killed.  The mini bus driver was trying to target a U.S./NATO base.

In Badghis Province, Mujahideen claim to have destroyed a U.S./NATO minesweeping tank. They say the two crewman were killed.

In Helmand Province, four U.S./NATO supply trucks were destroyed, and two drivers killed by Mujahideen.

In Uruzgan Province, a local cop joined the Mujahideen.

In Nangarhar Province, seven ANA personnel joined the Mujahideen.

16 October 2012

U.S./NATO officials admitted that a recent airstrike killed children, and not Mujahideen!  ISAF said: “During an operation in Helmand province Sunday against suspected insurgents laying IEDs, ISAF forces may have accidentally killed three innocent Afghan civilians.”

This comes as U.S./NATO forces called in an airstrike in Gahzni Province.  At least 17 people were killed.   Afghan government officials claim most of those killed were from Pakistan.

In Parwan Province, Mujahideen claim to have fired more artillery rockets at Bagram airbase.

In Nanagarhar Province, Mujahideen claim to have fired more artillery rockets at Jalalabad airbase.

In Zabul and Kandahar provinces, Mujahideen claim to have destroyed several U.S./NATO convoy vehicles, and captured an Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and a “hatchback” along with other military equipment.

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 13 – 15 October 2012. U.S./NATO bombs children, again! Iran deal making with Mujahideen? Mujahideen using sticky bombs.

15 October 2012

In Herat Province, a doctor, two nurses, and their driver were kidnapped.  They all worked for the International Red Crescent.  So far, no one knows why they were kidnapped, or by whom.

In Ghazni Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was attacked. Mujahideen claim they killed six security guards and destroyed three fuelers.

In Khost Province, a Afghan National Army soldier joined the Mujahideen.

In Wardak Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was attacked. Mujahideen claim they killed security guards and destroyed one tanker truck.

A former member of the Iranian Revolutionary Force, Fatima Khazarpoor, claims that Iranian government officials have been holding secret talks with Mujahideen.  The talks concern a variety of issues including what will happen post U.S./NATO pullout. She says Iranian officials have been meeting with Pakistani officials as well.  Khazarpoor now lives in Afghanistan and says she and her family have been threatened by Iranian agents.  Is this just another scam to justify keeping U.S./NATO troops in Afghanistan?

Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, paid a visit to Afghanistan, over increased Green on Blue attacks: “I spoke to President Karzai about our concern about insider attacks and sought an assurance from him that everything that can be done is being done.”

14 October 2012

In Parwan Province, Mujahideen claim they attacked the convoy of Afghanistan’s Second Vice President, Karim Khalili.  Mujahideen say they killed eight security guards, wounded several more, but are not sure if they were successful in assassinating the Second Vice President.

Five of the seven Red Coat Royal Marines, arrested a few days ago, have been officially charged with murdering an Afghan man.

In Farah Province, reports that local police tortured a man to death, then hid his body in a pile of garbage.

In Helmand Province, a U.S./NATO airstrike killed three children and two adults collecting firewood. U.S./NATO claims the victims were Mujahideen planting mines.

In Bamiyan Province, a United Nations helicopter made an emergency landing. UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan officials say it was due to mechanical problems.

In Kandahar Province, Mujahideen claim they repelled several airborne assaults  by U.S./NATO forces.

13 October 2012

In Herat Province, Mujahideen say they used a “sticky bomb” to blow up a police car. The bomb, similar to a Limpet Mine, was attached to the side of the vehicle.

ISAF said: “One coalition forces service member and one coalition forces civilian died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan.”   Independent reports say the deaths were the result of multiple bomb attacks in Kandahar Province.  Besides the ISAF personnel killed there were four Afghan intelligence agents killed, and three wounded as well.

Also in Kandahar Province, two local police joined the Mujahideen in Panjwaee.

In Zabul Province, co-ordinated explosions killed two people and wounded three.  Also, Mujahideen claim a U.S./NATO helicopter crashed and caught fire.  Mujahideen say the helicopter was having mechanical problems and that they did not shoot it down.

In Baghlan Province, Mujahideen claim to have set two U.S./NATO supply trucks on fire.

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 09 – 12 October 2012. British Empire spreads with Sandhurst style academy in Kabul, British taxpayers pay for it. Red Coat Marines arrested for murdering Afghans! NATO reveals plans to stay past 2014! Pakistani officials say war in Afghanistan is Holy!

12 October 2012

In Farah Province, a NATO heavy transport, carrying a armored fighting vehicle (AFV), was ambushed by Mujahideen.  Both the transport and AFV were destroyed.

In Ghazni Province, a U.S./NATO nighttime airstrike killed 14 people.  ISAF says the airstrike killed Mujahideen.  The United States must now consider children and mothers Mujahideen, because three children and their mother were among those killed.

In Maidan Wardak Province, a Canadian man and U.S. woman were kidnapped. No word on what the two civilians were doing in the province.

Seven U.K. Red Coat Royal Marines were arrested for violating British Rules of Engagement (RoE).  One Red Coat Marine confessed that an Afghan was killed in violation of the RoE.  The incident took place in Helmand Province last year, no further details.

In Nangarhar Province, reports saying that U.S./NATO forces at Jalalabad airport have been hit with at least ten artillery rockets.

In Kandahar Province, local government police are reporting that religious leaders are now openly condemning the Karzai government.  Police officials also claim the religious leaders are actually from Pakistan and Iran.  Also, Mujahideen claim they fired artillery rockets at several U.S./NATO bases.

In Paktia Province, a security guard/local militiaman joined the Mujahideen.

11 October 2012

In Kandahar Province, an 88 years old man shot at U.S./NATO personnel, who were conducting reckless searches of homes, destroying property.  He hit three of them before being killed by return fire.

In Kunar Province, Mujahideen claim to have launched artillery rockets, and fired mortar rounds at two U.S./NATO bases.

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan.”  It might be a Georgian soldier, as the government of Georgia also reported: “Corporal Abashidze died while fulfilling a combat task under the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.”  Soldiers from Georgia are operating alongside U.S. Marines in Helmand Province.

In Helmand Province, Mujahideen claim they attacked a U.S./NATO armored personnel carrier (APC) in the middle of the night.  They say that at 03:00 hours they climbed on top of the APC, dropping two grenades into it.  The explosions killed the crew, and the Mujahideen captured a U.S./NATO machine gun.  Also, Mujahideen in Maktab area of Helmand, claim that U.S./NATO forces have been seen abandoning their outposts.

Near Kabul city construction of the Afghan National Military Academy was begun. The academy is being paid for by United Kingdom, at a cost to the British taxpayer of about $42 million USD.  The academy is being model on the British Sandhurst military school, and it will be staffed with 120 trainers from the British Empire.  This is just a sneaky way the United Kingdom will maintain a military presence in Afghanistan.

In Kabul Province, a security chief in charge of Bagram Prison was possibly wounded by an explosion. Reports are confusing, but the prison boss and two other security guards were attending a ceremony when an explosion took place.  Some reports say all three men were wounded, other reports say the prison boss was not hurt.

In Balkh Province, a security chief and his bodyguard were killed by an explosion.  Five other security officials were wounded.

10 October 2012

In Nangarhar Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was ambushed.  Two supply trucks were burned, no word on casualties.

In Pakistan, Imran Khan, the current boss of the Pakistani Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), said the war being fought by Mujahideen against the U.S. led occupiers in Afghanistan, is justified.

U.S. President, Barack Obama, nominated USMC General Joseph Dunford to lead the war effort in Afghanistan and oversee plans to withdraw most of America’s combat forces by the end of 2014.

NATO has revealed plans to stay beyond the 2014 pull out date.  They call it a “post combat mission”.

ISAF said: “Afghan and coalition forces killed Haqqani leader, Nasrullah, in an operation in Paktiya Province…”

In Kandahar Province, people of Muhammad Khelo village say U.S./NATO personnel conducted an illegal night time raid.  Seven family members were arrested and one was killed.

In Paktika Province, hundreds of people protested against the continued illegal night raids by U.S./NATO forces.

In Helmand Province, seven cops were killed when a car bomb went off (some reports say it was a roadside bomb).

09 October 2012

In Wardak Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was ambushed. At least three supply trucks were destroyed, and several security guards killed.

In Helmand Province, local people say a U.S./NATO drone crashed.  Mujahideen say a “large” aircraft crashed in their area.  Also, one cop was killed and two other cops were wounded when they failed to defuse a bomb.  Also, three civilians were killed when they drove over a mine.

UN special envoy to Afghanistan, Jan Kubiš, said the United Nations will not let the puppet government of Afghanistan fall, after the 2014 pull out date: “The International Community stands shoulder by shoulder with Afghanistan and will not allow any crisis in Afghanistan which have been predicted by various groups.”

Afghan Defense Ministry officials announced three Afghan National Army (ANA) personnel killed, 14 wounded in battles with Mujahideen. ANA claims to have killed seven Mujahideen, wounding nine and capturing ten. The battels took place in Khost, Paktiya, Ghazni, Zabul, Nimroz and Kunar provinces.

Australian Defense Minister, Stephen Smith, said: “Australian and ISAF commanders continue to be confident that we are on track to transfer to Afghan-led security in Uruzgan over the next 12 to 18 months.”

In Uruzgan Province, a senior religious leader was assassinated. He was shot.  The gunmen got away.

In Kandahar Province, people of Nasiro village say a U.S./NATO airstrike hit one of their homes killing one person.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3 & What Economic Recovery? IMF says U.S. led War on Terror destroying hopes of economic recovery! World Bank says bailing out big corporations is not the answer!

“Perhaps the greatest roadblock will be the huge legacy of public debt, which now averages almost 110% of GDP for the advanced economies, the highest level since World War Two!“-Christine Lagarde, IMF managing director

12 October 2012, officials with the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank, issued dire warnings about any possible economic recovery, and they blamed the worsening economy on war and big corporations!

The IMF’s Lagarde said government spending on war prevents government spending on true economic growth: “This leaves governments highly exposed to subtle shifts in confidence. It also ties their hands, especially as they seek to build the infrastructure of the 21th century while respecting social promises.”

The IMF and the World Bank held meetings in Tokyo, Japan, this past week.  The new President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, said big corporations should not be counted on to create jobs: “I’ve learned that the best solutions to economic and social problems lie with individuals and communities coping with these challenges in their daily life.”

According to Kim, one of those solutions would be to make loans easier to get, for emerging economies: “We’re developing new diverse instruments [loans] customized to their needs. As emerging economies take on a growing role in the global economy, I am personally committed to ensuring they have a strong voice within our institution.”

And that’s the point, this new financial help is not intended for countries like the United States, in fact the IMF says the U.S. and Europe need to get their acts together: “Whether you turn to Europe, to the United States of America, to other places as well, there is a level of uncertainty that is hampering decision makers from investing, from creating jobs….We need action…”-Christine Lagarde, IMF managing director

For the most part World Bank’s Jim Yong Kim played good cop, confidently presenting hope for recovery, while the IMF’s Christine Legarde played bad cop, hitting the audience with a dose of reality: “The recovery is still too weak.  Job prospects, for untold millions, are still too scarce.  And the gap between the rich and poor is still way too big.”