They wouldn't have had to borrow recently if they had not had to repay that older debt first, because they would have had that money to invest in infrastructure etc. before 1947 - which is not that long ago, compared with the establishment of the nation.

The amount paid then makes France look like a loan shark. And the US. And anyone else involved who has been charging high levels of interest.

Anyone know how to get Baby Doc's bank account sequestered?

Penny