Niger: Groups Say Partial Debt Forgiveness Inadequate

International creditors of the African nation of Niger have agreed to cancel 1.2 billon dollars of its debt over time under a controversial debt relief scheme, rewarding the country for its pro-free market economic restructuring plan. Niger becomes the 11th nation to reach the completion point of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC) - the mark where creditors permanently grant debt forgiveness. But doubts remain over whether the move will actually reduce poverty in one of the world's poorest nations. “Our call is for a 100 percent debt cancellation,” said Neil Watkins of Jubilee USA Network, a leading group that lobbies for debt forgiveness.