The «Marshall Plan for Asia»: Genesis and collapse (1953–1955)

The article is devoted to studying the process of theoretical development and practical implementation of the plan for integrating the region of South and Southeast Asia into the U. S. strategy for restoring world trade, which is called the «Marshall plan for Asia» or AFAP. The Eisenhower administration’s desire to use the Cold War context to secure funding for the program from the U. S. Congress is emphasized. The reasons for the failure of the plan are analyzed, related to the contradictions between the countries of the region under consideration, as well as their fears of losing bilateral assistance from the United States.

Motor control characteristics of upper limbs in response to assistive forces during bilateral tasks

Most research on power assist suits (PASs) that concerned PAS-human interactions has used human physical reactions as criteria to evaluate the mechanical function, however, with minimal emphasis on human reactions in response to PASs. In this study, we focused on the physiological responses of the upper limbs including muscle activity of the biceps brachii and the triceps brachii, co-activation, force steadiness (CV) and rated perceived exertion (RPE) to various patterns of bilateral assistive force, such as unilateral assistance (L0% & R67% [% = percentage of workload force, L = left arm, R = right arm], L67% & R0%, L0% & R33%, L33% & R0%), symmetrical (L0% & R0%, L33% & R33%, L67% & R67%) and asymmetrical bilateral assistance (L33% & R67%, L67% & R33%), during bilateral isometric force-matching tasks. The results showed a similar muscular response of the two arms to bilateral assistive conditions, and the muscle activity of the arm that was being observed decreased only when the assistive force that applied on itself increased, indicating that both arms may have adopted similar but independent motor control mechanisms to acclimate to the bilateral assistive forces. Comparison between the two unilateral assistances (L0% & R33% and L33% & R0%) and the two asymmetrical bilateral assistances (L33% & R67%, L67% & R33%) showed no significant differences in muscular responses, CV and RPE, indicating that bilateral assistances with bilateral interchanged assistive levels may be equally effective regardless of which arm the higher assistive force is applied to. Comparison between unilateral and symmetrical assistive conditions that have similar overall workloads (L67% & R0%, L33% & R33%, L0% & R67%) showed a lower CV and RPE score at symmetrical assistance compared with unilateral assistance, suggesting that assisting both arms with the same level simultaneously improves task performances compared with applying the assistive force to only one arm.

Aid Effectiveness

This chapter starts with a description of some of the specific steps the Utstein group took to streamline their aid procedures in order to reduce the burdens imposed on partner countries and increase effectiveness in the implementation of their bilateral assistance programmes. This is followed by a similar discussion of U4 efforts to help improve the effectiveness of EU aid in which three of the four ministers were involved. The chapter then turns to a discussion of the U4 aid to Tanzania which four of them visited in 2000 as a showcase of what they had been advocating. They spread their message about a new approach to development cooperation in which the partner country is in the driver’s seat by organizing so called ‘Big Tables’ with African leaders (including Ministers of Finance) that permitted a frank exchange of views on ways to make aid more effective in achieving poverty reduction. The final part of the chapter reviews U4’s support to fragile states, focusing on their joint efforts in several countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, and Sudan.

The PRC exchange control-related compliance duties of Swiss banks towards PRC residents’ deposits

Purpose This paper aims to discuss the compliance duties of Swiss banks toward the Chinese exchange control in case of PRC residents’ deposits. Design/methodology/approach The paper matches the Swiss regulatory framework and practice in matter of banks diligence with that of the PRC exchange control and tentatively identifies the consequences resulting thereof for Swiss banks. Findings The paper finds that exchange control does fall within the scope of the Diligence Code. It suggests that banks should broadly interpret the related provisions. While in case of infringement, Chinese penalties can still be rated as a remote and moderate threat, they might strengthen. Meanwhile, the Swiss ones, under the Code, are serious. Research limitations/implications The paper does not cover other forms of overseas investment from China, namely, commercial investment. Besides, there is no related jurisprudence or practice as of yet; therefore, the findings of the paper need to be tested. Practical implications The paper suggests that the compliance officers of Swiss banks should familiarize themselves with the specificities of the PRC exchange control to anticipate the related risks. Originality/value Sino-Swiss compliance and bilateral assistance in financial matters are still unchartered waters. Because the Greater China market is of growing significance for Swiss banks, they might welcome early guidance to avoid repeating their mistakes with the USA and the EU.

Legal Assistance in the Japanese ODA: The Spark of a New Era

In the 1990s, Japan officially launched its first legal-assistance projects in Asia, becoming the first Asian donor to offer bilateral assistance in the legal field in the post-Cold War profileration of rule-of-law assistance movements. This paper reviews the process of re-shaping the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) policies in Japan leading up to the adoption of the ODA Charter in 1992 and its subsequent amendments which underlie the changes in importance and relevancy of legal assistance in the overall Japanese foreign-aid policy over the years. The paper also argues that Japan’s rule-of-law assistance projects were initially launched with pragmatic considerations but had to be continuously justified for their sustainability with increasingly sophisticated philosophical foundations and practical responses to respond to the changing trends of international co-operation and national political pressures.

Issues of Japan's assistance and support for Mongolia

Through assistance to developing countries (Official Development Assistance (ODA)), Japan has contributed to the resolution of many evolving challenges which Japan and international community face. Japan’s assistance to Mongolia is implemented from a viewpoint that economic development and humanitarian assistance in Mongolia will contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and the world. When Mongolia moved towards systematic transformation in 1990, prospects for sharing values such as freedom, democracy and market economy brightened. Japan started extensive bilateral assistance hoping that the success of systematic transformation and economic development in Mongolia would contribute to peace and stability in Asia and the world and that Mongolia would become a friendly nation of Japan. The relation between Mongolia and Japan have become expending to a new level from 1990, and become “Comprehensive partnership level” from 1997, progressed to “Strategic partnership level” from 2010 and “Economic partnership” cooperation level has come from 2015.

Governance of Development Assistance: Issues and Challenges

Good governance emphasises upon efficient and effective institutional mechanism, greater transparency, people’s participation, citizen-centric services and accountability. These reforms are not only limited to national governance practices but also applicable to distribution, disbursement and effectiveness of development assistance. The objective of development assistance is to provide opportunities to needy, deprived and disadvantageous sections of the society. The available data on development assistance clearly demonstrate that rich countries, Development Assistance Countries (DACs) provide financial assistance to poor countries and it has reached US$100 billion in recent years. Non-DAC bilateral assistance (NDBA) is more than US$8 billion in Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA) and US$5 billion annually in country programmable aid (CPA). Private aid (PrA) from DAC members contribute between US$58 billion and 68 billion per year. Total aid flows to developing countries currently amount to around US$180 billion annually. Multilateral aid agencies (around 230) outnumber donors and recipients combined. But the harsh reality is high percentage of illiteracy, high child mortality, gender inequality, prevalence of corruption and exclusion of needy people from the development process. The examination of the process and procedures involved in development process revealed that there are many challenges in the process adopted for allocation, methodological limitations, evaluation limitation, lack of coordination among multiple agencies, political compulsions of donor and recipient countries, transparency, accountability and multidimensional global financial markets compulsions. Certain measures can make development more inclusive and sustainable. Collective efforts of all agencies are the need of the hour to achieve the targets of sustainable development. Coordination among multiple agencies, capacity building of target population and involvement of private agencies in the development process will pave the way for sustainable development.

Identification and validation of clinically meaningful benchmarks in the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale

Background: The 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (12-MSWS) is a validated questionnaire which assessed walking function; it has been widely adopted in multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical research. Objective: Identify and validate clinically meaningful 12-MSWS benchmarks in MS. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 159 MS patients permitted identification of clinically meaningful 12-MSWS benchmarks based on their relationship to real-life anchors. Identified 12-MSWS benchmarks were then validated in a second population of 96 subjects using measures of ambulation, cognition, and patient-reported outcomes. Results: 12-MSWS score of 0–24.99 was associated with working outside the home and assistance-free mobility; 25–49.99 was associated with gait disability and difficulty doing housework; 50–74.99 was associated with unemployment, government healthcare, cane use, and difficulty performing instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs); and 75–100 was associated with change in occupation due to walking, mobility impairment requiring bilateral assistance, and inability to perform IADLs. During the validation step, strong linear associations were identified between 12-MSWS benchmarks and other MS-related disability outcome measures, including ambulatory and non-ambulatory measures. Conclusion: We have identified clinically meaningful 12-MSWS benchmarks which define four groups differentiated by increasing levels of mobility impairment and associated loss of functional independence. These data provide insight into how 12-MSWS translate to meaningful functional limitations in MS.

US anti-trafficking goals and trade agenda will clash

Subject The US Department of State's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report. Significance The release of the State Department's annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report in June renewed the debate on uses of the report by US policymakers and perceived politicisation of the ranking system, in which countries are placed in one of four 'tiers'. The ranking of countries is accompanied by legislated restrictions on certain types of bilateral assistance, as well as presenting greater political difficulties for the White House when pursuing closer ties. Impacts The next Congress may stiffen reporting requirements for the annual reports to discourage political decisions on country rankings. Manila's anti-crime drive may extend to trafficking, but vigilantism fears may sour ties with Washington nonetheless. If Congress delays US TPP ratification, Washington's political leverage in South-east Asia is likely to suffer.