Global Agenda articles from April 2003

Global Agenda archives from April 2003

Will there ever be a breakthrough? World trade; Doha in danger.(Doha Round of trade talks)
April 1, 2003... The Doha trade negotiations could founder if there is no progress on agriculture soon. A vital deadline has been missed with no sign of a breakthrough "A SERIOUS setback". "Disappointed but not surprised". Just some of the reactions from...

Those awkward hearts and minds; The war and public opinion; A battle of words, images and emotions.
April 1, 2003... The coalition leaders have so far been winning hearts and minds at home but losing them almost everywhere else WITHOUT a doubt, the job of convincing the Arab world, and in particular Iraqis, that the war is one of liberation, and not of...

Talking Turkey; Turkey; The costs of ambivalence.
April 2, 2003... Colin Powell's visit to Turkey was a clear attempt to mend relations between America and one of its strategic allies. But the Turks' reluctance to provide the help America wanted in the war on Iraq could still prove expensive BOTH sides...

Pushing towards Baghdad.
April 2, 2003... As the battle for Baghdad becomes more intense, military chiefs defend the war plans of Donald Rumsfeld and Tommy Franks COALITION forces have stepped up their attacks against Saddam Hussein's most desperate and dangerous troops, tightening...

Punching through to Baghdad.
April 2, 2003... Fierce attacks are launched on Republican Guard units defending Baghdad as the coalition steps up its advance on the Iraqi capital COALITION forces have launched a determined assault on Saddam Hussein's most-feared troops. Vanguard American...

Cracking down on the cartels; Competition policy; Fixing the price-fixers.
April 3, 2003... After centuries of ripping off consumers, cartels are suffering a crackdown from the world's competition authorities "PEOPLE of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy...

Punching through to Baghdad.
April 3, 2003... Fierce attacks are launched on Republican Guard units defending Baghdad as the coalition steps up its advance on the Iraqi capital COALITION forces have launched a determined assault on Saddam Hussein's most-feared troops. Vanguard American...

Wait and see, again; Europe's economies; The ECB drags its feet.(European Central Bank)
April 3, 2003... The European Central Bank has kept interest rates steady, preferring to wait until the impact of the war in Iraq is clearer. This comes despite pressure for a cut from, among others, the World Bank "TOTAL abstinence is easier than perfect...

Mending fences; America and Turkey; Turkish delight?
April 3, 2003... Colin Powell's visit to Turkey has helped repair America's relationship with a key strategic ally. But things are unlikely ever to be the same again, and Turkey could find it has paid a high price for its earlier intransigence COLIN POWELL...

An UNconfirmed role; The UN and Iraq; A post-war role?
April 4, 2003... European countries have called for a greater role for the United Nations in Iraq once the war is over. But many in the Bush administration want the military to run the country until it is ready to be handed over to Iraqis EVER the...

Good money after bad.(aid for the US airline industry)
April 5, 2003... America's Congress has voted to give the beleaguered airline industry more than $3 billion in aid, ostensibly to help it through the war in Iraq. But the airlines' problems predate the conflict and will continue long after the fighting stops...

Terrifying for Asia, worrying for the world; Asian pneumonia; A worry the world over.(Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS)
April 7, 2003... Life in many Asian countries has been severely disrupted by the outbreak of a new, potentially fatal respiratory illness. With travellers taking the disease to the West, it is now a concern for the rest of the world too BLAME it on China....

Succeeding Saddam; After Saddam (2); Who will govern, and how?
April 7, 2003... Although the war is still being waged, plans for the governance of post-war Iraq are advancing. Opponents of the war, such as France and Russia, favour a significant role for the United Nations, as does Britain, while America wants to run the...

Helping Iraq, and the world, to recover; After Saddam (1); The economic consequences.
April 7, 2003... With signs that the war in Iraq may be reaching its final phase, attention is shifting to the economic impact of a relatively swift coalition victory. It is hardly likely to be plain sailing NOW for the tricky part. For the coalition troops...

Meanwhile, in Pyongyang.... North Korea; Another crisis for the UN.
April 7, 2003... North Korea is making increasingly angry noises as the UN Security Council prepares to discuss its failure to stick to nuclear accords. How will it react to increasing diplomatic pressure from its neighbours? PARANOIA is growing in North...

Cowed into change; McDonald's; A new recipe for an American icon.(Editorial)
April 8, 2003... McDonald's, that icon of American values worldwide, has unveiled a new strategy after the ignominy of making its first loss in almost three decades. But there are good reasons to doubt the wisdom of the firm's planned move upmarket to appeal to...

Good money after bad.(U.S. aid for airlines)
April 8, 2003... America's Congress has voted to give the beleaguered airline industry more than $3 billion in aid, ostensibly to help it through the war in Iraq. But the airlines' problems predate the conflict and will continue long after the fighting stops...

Succeeding Saddam; After Saddam (2); Who will govern, and how?
April 8, 2003... Although the war is still being waged, plans for the governance of a post-Saddam Iraq are advancing. Britain's Tony Blair has persuaded President George Bush to accept a "vital" role for the United Nations, but just what this means is unclear...

Helping Iraq, and the world, to recover; After Saddam (1); The economic consequences.
April 8, 2003... With signs that the war in Iraq may be reaching its final phase, attention is shifting to the economic impact of a relatively swift coalition victory. It is hardly likely to be plain sailing NOW for the tricky part. For the coalition troops...

Saddam's regime crumbles.
April 8, 2003... American troops launch a fierce assault against the remaining Iraqi resistance in Baghdad, while Britain chooses a new local leader for Basra. Saddam Hussein, if still alive, is not in control of much THE day after they took Saddam...

Searching for good news; World economy; The IMF's bad news.(International Monetary Fund)
April 9, 2003... In its latest projections, the International Monetary Fund has again revised downwards its earlier forecasts. And most of the risks remain on the downside "POLICYMAKERS in both industrial and emerging-market countries continue to face an...

Who will run the new Iraq? Iraq after Saddam; What sort of government?
April 9, 2003... Although the war is still being waged, plans for the governance of a post-Saddam Iraq are advancing. Britain's Tony Blair has persuaded President George Bush to accept a "vital" role for the United Nations, but just what this means is unclear...

Getting better, or worse? Asian pneumonia; Here to stay?(international, economic impacts of severe acute respiratory syndrome)
April 10, 2003... Although the rate of new infections has fallen sharply in the southern Chinese province where a new, potentially fatal respiratory illness began, the disease remains a concern for the rest of the world THEY have said it before and were...

Meanwhile, in Pyongyang.... North Korea; Another crisis for the UN.
April 10, 2003... The UN Security Council discusses North Korea's failure to stick to nuclear accords amid increasingly angry noises from the regime PARANOIA is growing in North Korea. With the American-led war on Iraq reaching its endgame, the regime of Kim...

Going round in circles?(developments in Israeli-Palestinian conflict)
April 10, 2003... President George Bush has reminded the world that he is serious about ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Now for the hard part TAKING a brief time out from Iraq, on April 8th President George Bush reaffirmed his commitment to...

Saddam's regime topples.
April 10, 2003... Amid scenes of jubilation and chaos, much of Baghdad has fallen to coalition forces. Saddam's regime is over but the fighting is not BAGHDADIS finally shed their doubts that Saddam Hussein's 24-year reign of terror had ended, and took to...

An unprecedented operation; Feeding Iraq; A logistical nightmare.
April 10, 2003... Whatever "vital" role the United Nations plays in reconstructing Iraq when the war ends, one thing is certain: the international body will first have to feed much of the country's 27m people EVEN before coalition forces invaded Iraq three...

Towards a more inclusive world economy; The developing world; Still marginalised.
April 11, 2003... The war in Iraq has strengthened the case for making more strenuous efforts to include emerging-market economies and the poorest countries as full participants in the world economy. The issue will be much on the minds of the finance ministers...

Going round in circles?(Israeli-Palestinian peace process)
April 14, 2003... President George Bush has reminded the world that he is serious about ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Now for the hard part TAKING a brief time out from Iraq, on April 8th President George Bush reaffirmed his commitment to...

An unprecedented operation; Feeding Iraq; A logistical nightmare.
April 14, 2003... Whatever "vital" role the United Nations plays in reconstructing Iraq when the war ends, one thing is certain: the international body will first have to feed much of the country's 27m people EVEN before coalition forces invaded Iraq last...

A new world order; American foreign policy; Is Syria next?
April 14, 2003... With victory now assured for the coalition troops in Iraq, American attention is turning to Syria, now accused of helping the Iraqi regime during the conflict and offering refuge to some of its members. American foreign policy is being reshaped...

Unfinished business; Iraq; Saddam's regime topples.
April 14, 2003... American forces have entered Tikrit, the home town of Saddam Hussein. Elsewhere, coalition troops are trying to restore law and order in cities already taken, as an interim administration prepares to start work AMERICAN forces have entered...

Not only bad for your health; The SARS epidemic; Still spreading.
April 14, 2003... Economists are now predicting that SARS, a deadly pneumonia that originated in China, may have a more damaging effect on East Asia's economies than the war in Iraq CATHAY PACIFIC was swift to deny that it was considering grounding its...

Walking a tightrope; Rebuilding economies; Will Iraq's gain be others' loss?
April 14, 2003... Delicate negotiations in Washington over the weekend ended with an agreement on reconstructing Iraq. But the terms of the deal remain vague; and there is concern that the focus on Iraq will distract attention from the plight of other poor...

A tricky transition; Iraq; Saddam's regime topples.
April 14, 2003... American forces have taken Tikrit, the home town of Saddam Hussein, in what could be the last big military assault of the war. Elsewhere, coalition troops are slowly restoring law and order as an interim administration prepares to start work...

Paying for the past; South Africa; Truth, reconciliation and lawsuits.
April 15, 2003... South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission wants more compensation for victims of the apartheid regime. But who will pay? FOR all its continuing problems--unemployment, crime, severe inequality, AIDS--South Africa is faring better...

The battles to come.(The war in Iraq may be almost over, but the battle to restore order is not. )
April 15, 2003... The war in Iraq may be almost over, but the battle to restore order is not. And the country's political future is far from certain IN JUST under four weeks, the war against Saddam Hussein and his regime has been all but won. On Monday, the...

A post-war pot of gold; Reconstruction contracts; To the victor, the spoils?
April 16, 2003... Even before the fighting began, the Bush administration had secretly invited bids for work to rebuild Iraq's battered roads, power plants, oil wells and so on. Now, as that work begins, non-American companies are worried that all they will get...

Not only bad for your health; The SARS epidemic; Still spreading.
April 16, 2003... Economists are now predicting that SARS, a deadly pneumonia that originated in China, may have a more damaging effect on East Asia's economies than the war in Iraq. However, the identification of the virus that causes the disease should speed...

Can normal relations be restored? The European Union; Time to kiss and make up.
April 16, 2003... European Union leaders are gathering in Athens for a special summit at which they will sign the treaty admitting ten new members in a year's time. But the meeting takes place at a time of considerable international tension, with transatlantic...

We're (still) in the money; Executive pay; The cats stay fat.
April 16, 2003... Corporate scandals and falling share prices have forced companies to rethink their executive-compensation schemes. And yet, bosses are still being paid sums that many shareholders consider indefensible: in America, top-level compensation...

Mr Kim's change of heart; North Korea; Mr Kim shifts.
April 16, 2003... North Korea stops sabre-rattling and agrees to talks with America and China about its nuclear programme COULD the American-led coalition's victory in the war in Iraq already be yielding fruit in North Korea? Is its dictator, Kim Jong Il,...

Bush changes tack; American politics; Back to the home front.
April 16, 2003... As the war in Iraq draws to a close, President George Bush is turning his attention back to his domestic agenda. For the first time, he has signalled a willingness to compromise in the tax-cut battle "IT'S not 'if' we have the package, it's...

We're (still) in the money; Executive pay; The cats stay fat.
April 17, 2003... Corporate scandals and falling share prices have forced companies to rethink their executive-compensation schemes. And yet, bosses are still being paid sums that many shareholders consider indefensible: in America, top-level compensation...

The road to democracy.(Nigeria)
April 17, 2003... A parliamentary poll complete, a presidential election to come, and no coup likely. Africa's most populous country is moving in the right direction, albeit slowly "THE election went quite well, considering the situation," says Christian...

Can normal relations be restored? The European Union; A rapprochement of sorts.
April 18, 2003... At a special summit in Athens, European Union leaders have signed the treaty admitting ten new members in a year's time. But the meeting has come at a time of considerable international tension, with transatlantic and intra-European relations...

How big is the danger? Deflation; That sinking feeling.(a discussion of concerns that Europe and America could end up in price deflation)
April 21, 2003... With global economic recovery still some way off, some economists have started to worry that Europe and America could find themselves with the same problem of price deflation which has bedevilled Japan for years. Are they right to be concerned?...

Still spreading; The SARS outbreak; China comes clean.
April 23, 2003... As the SARS virus continues to spread, China admits that it under-reported the number of cases and the World Health Organisation extends its travel warning to three new regions. Economists are now predicting that the disease will have a more...

Mr Kim's change of heart; North Korea; Mr Kim shifts.
April 23, 2003... North Korea stops sabre-rattling and starts talking with America and China about its nuclear programme COULD the American-led coalition's victory in the war in Iraq already be yielding fruit in North Korea? Is its dictator, Kim Jong Il,...

The bumpy road to democracy; Nigeria's election; A result, of sorts.
April 23, 2003... The opposition cries foul as President Olusegun Obasanjo is re-elected amid widespread vote-rigging. But despite their flaws, the elections in Africa's most populous country are a sign of progress "THE entire so-called election is a huge...

Same old Microsoft? Microsoft; Opening Windows, closing doors.
April 23, 2003... Microsoft has said that it will make it easier for rivals to design software to connect with its Windows operating system. However, the company is also about to launch another server operating system that will be bundled and integrated with...

The great aid debate; Overseas aid; Can it be made more effective?
April 23, 2003... As part of the extensive preparations for the Evian Summit, aid ministers from the G8 countries are meeting this week in Paris. Can they find a way to make aid for poor countries more effective? WRITING cheques used to be a relatively...

In a flap; The world economy; Chickens coming home to roost.(Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development assessment)
April 24, 2003... There is still no sign of a strong global economic rebound, according to the latest assessment from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The best hope is for a modest recovery--and even that is better than some problem...

Down to the wire; A Palestinian government; Just in time.(appointment of Mahmoud Abbas as new prime minister)
April 24, 2003... At the last moment, having perhaps proved something, Arafat gives way, and the Palestinians agree a new government SEVEN hours before a midnight deadline, on April 23rd, Yasser Arafat and his prime minister-designate, Mahmoud Abbas (also...

The dragon wheezes.(SARS epidemic, China)
April 24, 2003... China finally wakes up to the SARS epidemic, which may herald much more profound changes AT BEIJING'S international airport, a parting couple hug and press their mask-covered mouths together in a prophylactic kiss. On the streets of the...

Slow going; The world economy; Chickens coming home to roost.
April 25, 2003... American economic growth speeded up only slightly in the first quarter of 2003. And there is still no sign of a strong global economic rebound, according to the latest assessment from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development...

Capturing the old, installing the new; Iraq; Dealing with old and new leaders.
April 25, 2003... The capture of Tariq Aziz is a boost to the American-led efforts to install a new government in Iraq. But a contentious time remains ahead TARIQ AZIZ, Iraq's former deputy prime minister, has become the highest-profile member of Saddam...

Further to fall?(The world's major currencies are in a state of flux)
April 28, 2003... The world's major currencies are in a state of flux, with the dollar wilting against the euro amid political uncertainty and economic gloom. But is this just the start of a bigger shake-up? IF THERE is one thing that upsets currency traders...

Same old Microsoft? Microsoft; Opening Windows, closing doors.(Microsoft has said that it will make it easier for rivals to design software to connect with its Windows operating system, but is also about to launch another server operating system that will be bundled and integrated with lots of other Microsoft products)
April 29, 2003... Microsoft has said that it will make it easier for rivals to design software to connect with its Windows operating system. However, the company is also about to launch another server operating system that will be bundled and integrated with...

Dangerous and nuclear.(North Korea)
April 29, 2003... North Korea keeps up its angry rhetoric after claiming it already has nuclear weapons. The worry now is: will Kim Jong Il's regime try to test them? NORTH KOREA is keeping up its bellicose behaviour after admitting it has a nuclear bomb....

The usual suspects.(Voters in Sunday's presidential elections in Argentina and Paraguay decided to stick with the devils they know)
April 29, 2003... Voters in Sunday's presidential elections in Argentina and Paraguay decided to stick with the devils they know CONSIDERING the mess that Argentina's Peronists and Paraguay's Colorados have made of their countries, and given the grinding...

Day of reckoning.(The settlement between a host of American regulators and ten Wall Street banks)
April 29, 2003... The settlement between a host of American regulators and ten Wall Street banks, signed this week, shows worse and more widespread wrongdoing than had been expected. Allegations of fraud against some of the banks will encourage investors to sue...

From bad to worse.(Germany's chancellor has threatened to resign if he does not win enough support to force through difficult economic reforms)
April 29, 2003... Germany's chancellor has threatened to resign if he does not win enough support to force through difficult economic reforms. The political struggle comes as the economic outlook is deteriorating rapidly IF ONLY Superman were on hand to...