Europe Intelligence Wire articles from March 2003

Europe Intelligence Wire archives from March 2003

US partially cuts taxes on Vietnamese catfish.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) A number of Vietnamese catfish farmers, accused of dumping low-cost fish on the US market and facing heavy duties for several weeks, have benefitted from a cut in duties by the US Commerce Department, they said....

Building for the future.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Claire Regan CHILDREN at a Bangor primary school have taken a break from the furious collecting of Building for the Future tokens and donned Victorian garb to rehearse for an forthcoming play. P7...

Those were the days!
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Oliver McGuckin Beware the Ides of March... Old Willie Shakespeare knew what he was talking about, I reckon. Only he had different things on his mind - certainly not the Cheltenham festival of...

Auctions: Still in business.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Michael Drake AFTER 25 years in business Belfast based Andersons Auctions has stopped holding its weekly sales. "We are not going out of business," proprietor Michael Flanagan tells me. "The...

Stylish night out.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Maureen Coleman BELFAST'S beautiful people were out in style to celebrate the 12th birthday of one of Ulster's top model agencies. Male and female models, media representatives and several surprise...

Books in brief.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Gail Walker In 1666 a spark from an unattended baker's oven in pudding lane led to The Great Fire, leaving London as a blank canvas to be rebuilt to new specifications and in line with the important...

The Irish Guards' role in today's Desert Rats.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Richard Doherty Military Historian SIXTY years ago the title 'Desert Rats' was a household expression. The men of 7th Armoured Division had become famous in the desert war that was coming to an end with...

Television: Gail's wails.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Janet Devlin Two minutes under Gail's watery gaze and Tricky Dicky cracked like a Kit-Kat in the canteen of Castlereagh Holding Centre. Who knows what he might have confessed to had she kept him up...

Television: Cold Feet is back.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Janet Devlin So Cold Feet is back for a fifth and final series (ITV, Sun). James Nesbitt's married life is under severe strain, John Thomson's actual life is under severe strain, Helen Baxendale's...

Ulsterman set to die for Iraq.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Sean O'Driscoll AS IRAQ was today expected to destroy missiles, a 55-year-old Ulsterman said he is prepared to lay himself down as a human shield against American planes bombing the country Merv...

Ulster pair battle for chance of stardom.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) TENSIONS are running high in Counties Fermanagh and Tyrone today as both support their own Eurovision hopefuls. Residents in Belcoo, just outside Enniskillen, and in Strabane will be glued to their televisions...

'IRA has to go away'.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Noel McAdam, Political Correspondent DAVID Trimble today warned his party will resign if the Government attempts to restore the Executive without Ulster Unionist consent. And he spelt out his...

Man hurt in pavement hit-and-run.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Jonathan McCambridge A 22-YEAR-OLD man is today recovering in hospital following a hit and run incident in west Belfast. The man was on the Andersonstown Road, near the leisure centre, at 1.30 this...

40-year air link with London Heathrow axed.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Robin Morton, Business Correspondent THE last flight from Aldergrove to Heathrow takes place tomorrow. The final flight will be BD77, which leaves the International Airport at 6.40pm. There has...

End of era with last flight to Heathrow.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Robin Morton, Business Correspondent IT will be the end of an era this weekend when the curtain comes down on the Aldergrove-Heathrow route. Bmi british midland is centralising all its operations...

Girl in horror attack by sex stalker.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) RELATIVES of a teenage girl subjected to a frightening sexual assault in a Co Antrim town have taken to the streets to erect posters urging witnesses to come forward. Politicians in Randalstown, shocked and...

Rape fear in west Belfast.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Jonathan McCambridge NEW police statistics show that rape attacks are occurring in west Belfast at the rate of one every four weeks, it emerged today. The statistics also indicate that rape attacks...

SF slams 'negative' Unionists.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Noel McAdam, Political Correspondent SINN Fein has warned Government moves towards David Trimble's demands to sanction republicans will represent a "clear and present danger" to the political process....

Contents of stately home in family row up for sale.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Michael Drake THE remaining contents of Mourne Park, a Co Down stately home which featured in a bitter and controversial family courtroom saga earlier this year, come under the hammer this spring. ...

Thieves rob terminally ill teenager.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Gary Grattan HEARTLESS thieves have stolen a terminally ill Ulster girl's portable television, video player, karaoke machine and Playstation in a burglary at her home. And the thieves staged the...

Invitation to watch rope bridge being put in place.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Gary Grattan IF you have ever wondered how the famous Rope Bridge at Carrick-a-Rede is put up each year, the National Trust is offering an opportunity for visitors to witness the whole "terrifying"...

Church date will mark diamond anniversary.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Alf McCreary A BELFAST couple who celebrate their 60th anniversary this weekend will mark the occasion by attending the church where they were married on March 3, 1943. George and Jean Arnold, and...

Leprechauns to check out town's shop windows.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Fiona McIlwaine Biggins THE 'Little Folk' are set to descend on a Tyrone town to lend a helping hand in time for St Patrick's Day. Leprechauns will be let loose in Cookstown over the next few weeks...

Tragic tumour tot's parents say thanks.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Marie Foy A COUNTY Antrim couple whose little boy tragically died of a brain tumour today expressed heartfelt thanks to their family, friends and health workers for help and support. Little Blair...

Church monitor for Ulster politics.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Alf McCreary THE Church of Ireland has set up a new committee to monitor politics and legislation in Northern Ireland. The 13-member Legislation and Politics Committee (NI) is chaired by Canon...

Dromore centre facelift.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) A NUMBER of derelict properties in Dromore town centre are to be regenerated in a major scheme initiated by the Town Heritage Group over the next year. Premises in Market Square, Church Street, Gallows Street...

Police Board Masons must 'come clean'.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) FREEMASONS and members of all 'secret societies' who are members of the District Policing Partnership Board should declare an interest, according to the Deputy Speaker at Stormont. SDLP man Donovan McClelland,...

Attack fear sets mobiles at 999.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) CATHOLICS walking home in Ballymena after a night at the pub have their hands on their mobile phones with the 999 number already keyed - so that any incident can be quickly reported literally at the touch of a...

Hint of Mournes in Africa for Bible group.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Staff Reporter THE local director of Wycliffe Bible Translators has just returned from a two week mission to Cameroon with a group of local church representatives. "It was a dual purpose trip,"...

Briefs: Lowry Singers are for hire.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) THE Lowry Singers, a 24-voice four-part choir based in Armagh, are available for hire! The choir was set up three years ago to celebrate a rededication ceremony in Co Tipperary and since then have been...

Ex-stripper weighs in for charity.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Ciaran O'Neill A FORMER stripogram turned charity worker has appealed for people in the North West to support a fundraising event for orphans in Bosnia. Laurence Wilkie used to make a living from...

Football: Aiming to to bend it like Ronnie.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Steven Beacom RONNIE Whelan did it 20 years ago. And in some style. Brilliantly, he curled the ball with his right foot beyond the despairing dive of Gary Bailey. That goal gave Liverpool...

Motorcycling: Teenager lands rookie deal.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Jimmy Walker JONATHAN Rea, 16-year-old son of former Irish champion road racer Johnnie Rea, has won a pound sterling75,000 deal to join the Red Bull Rookie Honda team for the 2003 British 125cc...

Ice Hockey: Knee op for Doug.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) DOUG Macdonald is to go surgery on Monday in a bid to save his season. The Belfast Giants forward has been out of action since the final regular season game in Bracknell two weeks ago and, after having an MRI...

Ice Hockey: Giants turn sights to good night in London.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Belfast Giants 3 Sheffield Steelers 1 BELFAST Giants coach Dave Whistle has asked his players for an improved performance when they take on the London Knights tomorrow evening. Whistle was pleased to take...

Racing: Liam's Kid has a powerful chance.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Jimmy Walker NEWRY'S Liam Lennon was always a top operator as a jockey but he has made his mark quickly in training circles and Francoskid has already given him two wins. Successful at Down Royal's...

Table Tennis: Robinson still has the touch.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) JIMMY Robinson (Craigavon) rolled back the years as he produced a pristine performance for Anahilt in the Belfast League with two brilliant wins over title holders Queen's. The former international has been on...

Squash: Ulster's Big Two stay clear at top.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) WITH five matches remaining in the Premier Division of the Somerville Shopfitting Ulster League David Lloyds maintain a two point lead over the Belfast Boat Club. In this week's match the Dundonald side had a...

Swimming: Bree is ready to break back in Texas.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: David Kelly ANDREW Bree is planning a rapid return to action in just ten days time. Just over six weeks ago Bree broke his ankle after slipping on ice and is still on crutches, but coach John...

Greyhounds: Queen is dethroned in Puppy Cup semis.
March 1, 2003... (From Belfast Telegraph) Byline: Bob Fenton RAMA Queen, one of the leading fancies for the Ulster Puppy Cup at Ballyskeagh, bowed out at the semi-final stage last night. Drawn in trap five, Rama whowent off at odds-on, failed to...

US consulate gunman wanted to punish protectors of "infidels".
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) A man arrested for killing two policemen outside the US consulate in Karachi has told interrogators he wanted to punish the protectors of "infidels", a senior police official revealed. Police named the...

Iraq begins destruction of banned missiles in line with key UN demand.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) Iraq said it had started destroying the first four of its banned Al-Samoud 2 missiles in line with a key UN disarmament demand, amid demands by Washington and its allies for Baghdad to disarm fully. ...

UAE calls for Saddam to resign.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued an appeal at the Arab summit for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to resign and put Iraq under the tutelage of the Arab League and the United Nations. The call came in a...

Turks demonstrate against war ahead of key parliamentary vote.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) Several thousand demonstrators gathered in the Turkish capital to protest a possible war in neighbouring Iraq and the likely approval by parliament, later in the day, of the deployment of over 60,000 US soldiers...

At least 14 killed, scores injured in Taiwan as train rolls over.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) At least 14 people were killed and scores injured when a train carrying tourists to Taiwan's scenic Mount Ali, or Alishan, derailed and rolled over. Authorities are still compiling the number of casulties...

Formal agreement on Nepal ceasefire ready Monday: negotiator.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) Nepal's government and Maoist rebels will have a formal agreement on their month-old ceasefire ready by early next week, despite disagreements over the release of prisoners and anti-terror laws, an official...

New Cypriot government sworn in.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) New Cypriot president Tassos Papadopoulos appointed his 11-member cabinet, tasked with trying to reunify the divided island so a united Cyprus can enter the European Union in 2004. The ministers, including...

UAE floats Saddam exile plan; Arab leaders plead for disarmement.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) unveiled at the Arab summit a surprise plan calling for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to step down in order to avoid war. The call came in a four-point initiative addressed to...

Tehran conservatives take huge poll lead over reformers.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) Iranian conservatives had a massive lead over reformers who had previously monopolised Tehran City Council, with some 20 percent of votes counted from the previous day's local elections. The conservatives...

At least 17 killed in Taiwan train accident.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) At least 17 people were killed and over 100 injured when a train carrying tourists to Taiwan's scenic Mount Ali, or Alishan, derailed and rolled over, the fire department of Chiayi County revealed. ...

Turkish parliament meets to debate US troop deployment.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) The Turkish parliament convened to debate and vote on allowing tens of thousands of US soldiers onto Turkish soil for a possible war in Iraq. The main opposition party immediately demanded a procedural...

More than 50 Zimbabwe opposition members arrested: MDC.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) Police in the Zimbabwean capital Harare arrested more than 50 members of the main opposition party who were canvassing ahead of a by-election, the opposition told AFP. But police have denied the claim. ...

Indian Kashmir reformists sweep first electoral test.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) Indian Kashmir's dovish government swept to a resounding victory in its first electoral test since taking power in November. Zahoor Ahmed Mir of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) won 73.7 percent...

WHO adopts global anti-tobacco treaty.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) World Health Organisation (WHO) member states meeting adopted the final text of a global treaty against tobacco seeking to curb deaths from smoking. After two and a half years of tough negotiations, the...

Iraq begins destroying missiles as Arab League meets on crisis.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) Iraq began destroying banned missiles in a move dismissed by Washington as a propaganda stunt, as the 22-member Arab League opened a summit with plans to proclaim "total rejection" of any US-led war on the...

Gov't cautiously welcomes ceasefire by N.Ireland loyalists.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) Britain gave a guarded welcome to a one-year ceasefire announced by Northern Ireland's biggest Protestant paramilitary group, the Ulster Defence Association (UDA). "It's a step in the right direction but it...

Gillespie out of England clash.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) Jason Gillespie will miss reigning champions Australia's bid to set a new world record of 12 consecutive one-day victories when they take on England in their World Cup Group A match here at St George's Park. ...

IRA must declare war over before assembly can be restored: Trimble.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble warned Northern Ireland's suspended assembly cannot be restored until the IRA declares its war on the British state is finally over. "Their acts must start with proper...

Polish government coalition splits up.
March 1, 2003... (From Agence France Presse) Poland's center-left government coalition split apart after one the parties opposed a key measure on preparing for EU membership only three months before a referendum on joining the bloc. Government...

Puma registers substantial turnover and profit growth (Puma halt hohes Wachstumstempo).
March 1, 2003... (From Borsen-Zeitung) Puma, the German sports clothing group, recorded a 52.1 per cent turnover increase to 910m euros last year. Turnover of the group's shoe division soared by nearly 60 per cent to 613m euros in 2002. Pre-tax profits...

Volkswagen to issue unchanged dividend (VW-Aufsichtsrat bestatigt Dividendenvorschlag).
March 1, 2003... (From Borsen-Zeitung) The supervisory board of German-based company Volkswagen, Europe's largest carmaker, has given the green light to management's plans to issue an unchanged dividend of 1.3 euros per ordinary share and 1.36 euros per...

Thomas Cook announces major cost reduction programme (Thomas Cook spart an den eigenen Reisekosten).
March 1, 2003... (From Borsen-Zeitung) German-based company Thomas Cook, Europe's second largest tourism group, has announced that a cost reduction programme called Triple C is expected to reduce operating costs by 250m euros this year alone. Management is...

Heinrich Focke resigns from Gerling (Gerling gibt Vorstandschef Heinrich Focke nach gut einem Jahr den Laufpass).
March 1, 2003... (From Borsen-Zeitung) Heinrich Focke, chairman of ailing German insurance group Gerling, has resigned as of 1 March 2003 after only one year in office. The group refused to comment on the reasons for Mr Focke's resignation yesterday, but...

Schering to buy back nearly 1 per cent of its own shares (Schering gibt Gas beim Aktienruckkauf).
March 1, 2003... (From Borsen-Zeitung) Schering, the German pharmaceuticals group, is planning to buy back nearly 1 per cent of its own shares during the next five weeks in order to give a boost to its own share price. The Berlin-based group recorded an 11...

BIH PRESS REVIEW.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) SARAJEVO, March 1 (ONASA) - Changes to the Federation Constitution, which would solve the problem of appointing Serb delegates to the House of Peoples, should be adopted by the Federation Parliament, OHR Spokesman...

BRITISH PRESS REVIEW.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) SARAJEVO, March 1 (ONASA) - The Independent says if Saddam Hussein has even the slimmest chance of avoiding war he must start dismantling his outlawed al-Samoud missiles, BBC reported. What happens on Saturday will...

ANTI-WAR MEETING HELD IN TUZLA.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) TUZLA, March 1 (ONASA) - Several thousand Tuzla residents gathered to protest against the war in Iraq on Saturday, which is being celebrated as the Independence Day in the Federation. The demonstrators said...

MARCH 1 NOT CELEBRATED IN RS.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) BANJA LUKA, March 1 (ONASA) - The BiH Independence Day - March 1 is not being celebrated in the Republika Srpska and most its politicians and citizens believe that it is being marked only in the part of the...

CROATIAN SDP AND HSS LEADERS HOLD MEETING.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) ZAGREB, March 1 (ONASA) - After their five-hour long talks on Friday evening, the leaders of the two strongest parties in the ruling coalition, Ivica Racan and Zlatko Tomcic told reporters that they had discussed...

INDEPENDENCE DAY NOT CELEBRATED IN LIVNO CANTON.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) LIVNO, March 1 (ONASA) - March 1 - the BiH Independence Day is not being celebrated in the Livno Canton on Saturday. The companies and institutions do not work today, but only because it is Saturday, while...

EFT DENIES REPORT OF OHR SPECIAL AUDITOR.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) SARAJEVO, March 1 (ONASA) - Executive Director of the Energy Financing Team (EFT) company from London Svetislav Bulatovic and member of EFT Steering Board Vuk Hamovic on Saturday denied allegations from the report...

NINE-YEAR ELEMENTARY EDUCATION IN CENTRAL BOSNIA CANTON.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) VITEZ, March 1 (ONASA) - The nine-year elementary education will be introduced in all schools in the Central Bosnia Canton as of next school year, but the first pre-school year will be voluntary and encompass the...

CAR OF LOCAL PRESS BARON DESTROYED IN BLAST.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) ZAGREB, March 1 (ONASA) - A car of the co-owner and the chairman of the board of directors of the press publishing company "Europapress Holding", burned down in a blast of an explosive device planted under the...

ILIC DENIES CLARKE'S STATEMENT.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) BANJA LUKA, March 1 (ONASA) - A statement of Brcko District Supervisor Henry Clarke that the Republika Srpska owes several million KM for health insurance coverage, are not true, Republika Srpska Health Insurance...

RS BAR OPENS PREMISES AND ADMITS NEW MEMBERS.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) BANJA LUKA, March 1 (ONASA) - The Republika Srpska (RS) Bar marked on Saturday the opening of premises in which it will be seated and new members were also admitted. Addressing those present, President of the...

SDP PRESIDENCY ON SECURITY SITUATION IN BIH.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) SARAJEVO, March 1 (ONASA) - The Presidency of the BiH Social Democratic Party (SDP) concluded at the session on Friday that contents of the materials on security situation in BiH, which are prepared for the session...

FIVE MATCHES OF 21ST ROUND OF BIH PREMIERE FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYED.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) SARAJEVO, March 1 (ONASA) - Five matches of the 21st round of the BiH football Premiere League were played on Saturday. The results of the matches were following: Celik - Leotar 0-0, Jedinstvo - Velez 1-0,...

NO MORE ROOM IN PARTY FOR CESIC ROJS; HDZ.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) SARAJEVO, March 1 (ONASA) - Secretariat of the Croatian Democratic Party (HDZ) sent a message to delegate of the party Ljubo Cesic Rojs that there is no room for him in the party anymore, Zagreb's Jutarnji List...

LIVNO MUP HAS NO DATA ON OWNERS OF VEHICLES IMPORTED ON BENEFITS.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) LIVNO, March 1 (ONASA) - The Livno Canton Interior Ministry (MUP) has no data on the number of vehicles imported by disabled veterans on benefits, that is without paying customs and tax duties, or data on the...

COLLECTION ON INFORMATION ON HOUSEHOLDS IN DRVAR STARTS ON MONDAY.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) DRVAR, March 1 (ONASA) - The Economy Department of the Drvar municipality will on Monday start collecting information on households and population in the municipality, Office of the Federation Ombudspersons in the...

SIXTH MATCH OF 21ST ROUND OF BIH PREMIERE FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYED.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) SARAJEVO, March 1 (ONASA) - The sixth match of the 21st round of the BiH football Premiere League played on Saturday between Sarajevo and Orasje ended with the score 3-0. The results of other matches played...

KOSTUNICA SAYS EVIDENCE SHOULD GO TO THE HAGUE / 17:45 / BETA.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) BELGRADE, March 1 (ONASA) - Vojislav Kostunica today insisted that the Serbian government should send all evidence relating to crimes committed against Serbs in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo to The Hague...

STEINER SAYS TRIBUNAL MUST NOT HAVE DOUBLE STANDARDS.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) PODGORICA, March 1 (ONASA) - UNMIK chief Michael Steiner today insisted that The Hague Tribunal must treat all sides equally, Beta reported. The governor said that it would be wrong to only try Serbs for...

MURTEZI TO SEEK COMPENSATION.
March 1, 2003... (From ONASA News Agency) PRISTINA, March 1 (ONASA) - Agim Murtezi returned to his home in the Lipljan municipality today, after being released by The Hague Tribunal in a case of mistaken identity. Upon his arrival, wrongly accused Murtezi...