JOHN O'SHEA,
Sir, - Kevin Myers (An Irishman's Diary, September 3rd) makes some interesting points about sustainable development and what he calls the "€50 million eco-prate of Jo'burg".
He is right when he says: "There is no reason why there should be a single country in the world that cannot ensure clean water for its citizens - no reason, that is, apart from pathological criminality". Corruption is endemic throughout the developing world and is perhaps the single greatest barrier to development.
Leaders of developing countries are not using the money given to them by the West to look after their own people, as US Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill found when he visited Africa with Bono recently. What had been done with the billions of dollars that had been given to provide the people with the services they so badly needed?, he asked.
The solution to the problem of corruption is very simple: every pound, euro or dollar given to a third-world government should have strict conditions attached as to the manner of its spending. Donor governments should follow every cent or penny down to the development projects on the ground because the evidence of corruption is so overwhelming.
The Jo'burg jamboree was indeed a waste of $50 million. It would have been far better if the 65,000 delegates had travelled to Bangladesh, rolled up their sleeves and dug dykes to prevent the flooding that has caused such terrible suffering year in and year out.
The people of the poor countries are victims of their own leaders and, like victims everywhere, they need support. In the absence of any great interest from governments, it is up to the NGOs to try to make up the shortfall.
In 25 years' involvement with the developing world I have experienced many feelings. Anger that mankind can repeatedly avert its eyes when confronted with the suffering of others; sorrow that the media have consistently refused to adequately tackle the biggest story of our time; and frustration at being unable to do more for the impoverished and vulnerable despite the abundant wealth of the world.
But I have yet to experience any feelings of optimism that loving the poor will one day become the main focus of the international community. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN O'SHEA,
GOAL,
PO Box 19,
Dun Laoighaire,
Co Dublin.