Dated: August 27, 2003

Dear Mr. Sedgwick

Thanks for your email dated August 19, 2003.

Logic is an arbitrary tool of knowledge. It can be used in many ways. It can be linear, circular, spiral, positivist, etc. What determines its effectiveness and authenticity is the power. I mean the logic that prevails and counts in final analysis is the dominant logic.

The Logic of the Master. The Logic of the Powerful.

The Bank is the powerful. Its logic/truth prevails and counts. It prevailed when the decision about the establishment of the Grievance Redress and Settlement Committee (GRSC) was taken. The ADB Management argued that the inspection process would be counter-productive to the GRSC. We argued that the GRSC would be counter-productive to the inspection. A very circular argument from both sides. Whose logic and reality prevailed and counted? The Logic of the Powerful. Then followed the fine judgment from the BIC. Thus, the GRSC was established.

Alas! There is not a single incident in the histories of this project when the logic of the weak has prevailed and counted.

What is left to the powerless and weak? Non-violent disobedience and non-cooperation. But again the Logic of the Powerful will be circular. It will be said that the weak/aggrieved are not constructive and always adversarial. True. The weak then should be silent. So we are silent and muted.

Do whatever you want to do.

Regards,

Mushtaq Gadi