Calls to grant-aid East Timor

There are calls for aid to East Timor to be in the form of grants and not loans.

On the eve of its independence of May 20, aid workers in the region are objecting to loans offered by the IMF and World Bank.

Tom Hyland of the East Timor Solidarity campaign is travelling to the capital, Dill, today.

He says the world newest country is also one of the world’s poorest.

“East Timor need a hand up now. They have suffered for 24 years and now they need their friends to stay with them. It is only a small amount of money they need but it is vital that they don’t get into this situation where they have to pay back loans, particularly from the EU and the US.”