Then he gave some specifics on the bad debt situation, perhaps more detail than we would have expected, but we are yet to see anything comprehensive on the fiscal reform, and we don't expect anything soon.

He came out first with quite a few broad-brush themes, saying Japan has too much debt and spends it public money the wrong way,

We sold the towers, not because we didn't like them, but we needed to sell them to pay down debt. Now we're in the position to expand again.

We, being the Western world, wouldn't let Russia off the hook on debt. So there were demands on debt servicing in the early days until they ran out of reserves. There was no real aid program, just a fictional aid program.

There is no doubt that Malawi needs 100 percent debt cancellation as soon as possible, and I will do everything possible to speed that up.

For all Bill Gates' billions, he can't buy hipness. He isn't cool, except in a proto-geek way.