The 50 Years Is Enough Network called in March on organizations in the global North to abide by a moratorium on meetings with the IMF and World Bank during the period of the Mobilization for Global Justice (April 8-17, 2000). We asserted this position in order to prevent World Bank or IMF officials from playing the familiar game of "divide and rule." With the moratorium in effect, there will be less chance of distraction from the protest by claims that discussions of minor reforms are a reasonable alternative to protest; instead attention will be focused solely on our calls for fundamental transformation. By honoring this moratorium -- which many around the world (indeed everyone we've talked with) are doing -- policy-oriented groups will be demonstrating their solidarity with the protesters in the streets of Washington, and will be free to join them physically as well.

The Financial Times reported on the moratorium on April 10, quoting Friends of the Earth-U.S. as one of the organizations supporting the move. World Bank President James Wolfensohn later criticized the call as "counter-productive."

The call for the moratorium appears below:

The 50 Years Is Enough Network, a sponsor and member of the coalition of organizations planning the April 16-17 Mobilization for Global Justice during the IMF and World Bank Spring meetings, requests the support of Northern NGOs for a voluntary moratorium on attending briefings and consultations organized by World Bank and International Monetary Fund officials during the seven days of April 10 through 17.

There are several reasons we request the voluntary participation of Northern NGOs in this moratorium on briefings and consultations with Bank and Fund officials.

• An act of solidarity with the Mobilization.

• A unified position during the Mobilization will increase the future leverage of all NGOs and the growing social movement we are building

• There will be future opportunities for briefings and consultations, but the Mobilization is a unique event

• The mobilization will significantly change the political environment during the Bank/Fund meetings. It is likely that the issue of the mobilization itself will preclude the important topics planned for the briefings and consultations. They may become opportunities for "divide and conquer" or "good" NGO/ "bad" NGO tactics on the part of Bank and Fund officials.

During the week of the Mobilization there will be many events, forums, and educational sessions addressing the role of the IMF and World Bank in perpetuating an unjust and unequal global economic order. Some organizations may want to invite Bank and Fund officials to their events in order to respond to important issues and concerns. This alternative activity will not be perceived as counter to the moratorium.

We hope that we can count on your solidarity. We would like to emphasize again that we are requesting that Northern NGOs participate in a voluntary moratorium on consultations and briefings. We recognize that Southern civil society organizations have fewer opportunities for lobbying and consultations and less access than many Northern groups. We also recognize that each organization will have to make its own decision on support for the moratorium and all decisions will be respected by the Mobilization for Global Justice.