[Newsletter Contents]

"Dams and Development" Copies Reported Stolen
No charges pressed against suspects

There are many ways to measure public interest in Dams and Development: public endorsements; international seminars; press clippings; copies marked up, dogeared or covered with yellow Post-It notes.And then, of course, there are the number of stolen copies.

It appears a small crime wave has followed in the wake of the WCD dissemination effort. Some people, it seems, can't wait for their own copies, find copies fast enough, or print out a free version from the website.

Asian Development Bank's Preben Nielsen has reported that two copies of the WCD's 400 page tome have been "borrowed" from the desk in his office. "I had one copy, and it was taken. Then I ordered a second, and that has mysteriously vanished as well......I must say that this has never happened before. And that includes our ADB annual report."

Nielsen is not alone.

Reports have reportedly been absconded from the WCD headquarters as well.

Phumla Yeki has been tracking deliveries of the Report around the world. These are typically sent by courier to save time and money.

But while the deliveries were signed for in offices, not all ever reached the purchaser. At least not right away. Often, others in the office take them from the person who ordered it. Several dozen copies have vanished in this fashion.

WCD, while flattered, encourages acquisition of the Report through legal channels.