So, while it is still possible for members of Congress to become cosponsors of H.R. 1095 and S. 1690, the more important task at this point is for them to support the appropriations that will allow the progress made last year to continue. In December, Lawrence Summers became the first U.S. treasury secretary to visit the South American country of Bolivia. The agreement stipulates that savings from debt relief must be used for meeting social needs. Secretary Summers made a point on his trip to visit a health care clinic where children lined up to be immunized against measles. Clearly, for the millions of poor people who are in the majority in these countries burdened by debt, debt relief is not just an abstract concept debated by world leaders.
Debt relief is a means toward greater economic stability.
Before the actual funds from the debt relief agreement go to the country, Bolivia must draw up a plan to show how it will tackle the issue of poverty. The Bolivian government is now launching a nationwide national forum to gather public opinion on economic policy in order to meet the requirement for debt relief. The Jubilee 2000 movement in Bolivia has launched a similar forum that will precede and inform the official one. Jubilee 2000 in Bolivia has generated an astounding 400,000 signatures in favor of debt cancellation. The Jubilee effort includes strong leadership from the Catholic Church in Bolivia, which has high credibility as an important advocate for human rights and democracy in that country.