An interview with Horst Kohler
International Monetary Fund
Founded in 1944 by delegates from 45 nations, the IMF is where countries in severe monetary crisis turn for help. "One of the main sources of international friction and conflict is the abuse of monetary policy." Countries in the throes of depression adopt cutthroat measures in order to expand their exports and curtail their imports at the expense of other countries' exports. The two major goals of the IMF are: first, to provide financial stability to the international financial systems and second, to make a contribution to the international effort to fight poverty. The IMF does this by lending financial support when needed, continuous surveillance or countries, and providing technical assistance.