A JOINT World Bank and International Monetary Fund mission arrived in Ethiopia this week to discuss a new plan to reduce poverty with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s government. Meles last week said he wanted the aid unblocked after donors suspended development aid worth over $1bn in Ethiopia in 1998 following the outbreak of war with Eritrea. Government officials say the aid suspension affected projects in food security, education, health and road construction. Ministry of Finance figures show the country’s external debt stood at $4.1bn in June 1998. – Reuters