Global Agenda articles from February 2003

Global Agenda archives from February 2003

Countdown to war.
February 1, 2003... Can Saddam Hussein change? The Iraqi leader must start actively to prove he has no weapons of mass destruction, or the timetable of events suggests he will face war within weeks MILITARY strategists contend there always has to be some...

Humiliation for Schroder; German politics; Can Schroder overcome his setback?(election setback for Social Democratic party)
February 3, 2003... Gerhard Schroder has suffered a serious setback in German state elections. His ruling Social Democratic party lost power in Lower Saxony, strengthening the opposition majority in the upper house of the German parliament. The chancellor will now...

The honeymoon is over; Turkey; Fighting on several fronts.(tough spot for Turkey, seeking EU membership)
February 3, 2003... Trouble on the road to membership of the European Union, pressure to reach a settlement on Cyprus and a looming war with neighbouring Iraq. Turkey's new government is in an unenviable position IT WAS a touching occasion: Turkish ministers...

Countdown to war. America says it has proof that Saddam Hussein is hiding evidence of weapons of mass destruction. Even if the world is not persuaded by it, war is likely to break out within weeks.
February 4, 2003... MILITARY strategists contend there always has to be some flexibility built into the timetable. And so there is. But for Saddam Hussein, the countdown to war has begun. President George Bush says the Iraqi dictator has only "a matter of weeks"...

The lessons from Columbia.(reflections on space shuttle destruction)
February 4, 2003... The disintegration of the space shuttle Columbia, with the loss of all seven crew, is a blow to American morale. It also raises questions about the wisdom of lavishing billions of dollars on manned space flight FOR many Americans, the...

Zimbabwe in the dock; Zimbabwe; Tsvangirai, and Mugabe, on trial.
February 4, 2003... The trial of Zimbabwe's main opposition leader over a supposed plot to kill President Robert Mugabe may serve to remind the world of his regime's abuses AS THE trial for alleged treason began on February 3rd of Morgan Tsvangirai, the...

Diplomacy, backed by force; America and North Korea; Getting nastier.
February 4, 2003... The stand-off with North Korea is getting nastier, with America considering sending military reinforcements to the region. But diplomacy still has a chance THE contradiction of the Koreas is a frustrating business. This week, the United...

Deficits as far as the eye can see; America's budget; Red ink aplenty.
February 4, 2003... George Bush has unveiled his proposed budget for the next fiscal year--and unleashed a torrent of criticism for the deficits it will generate. Spending increases in some areas, coupled with the effects of tax cuts, have dashed hopes of a return...

Humiliation for Schroder; German politics; Can Schroder overcome his setback?
February 4, 2003... Gerhard Schroder has taken personal responsibility for his party's humiliating defeat in German state elections. The chancellor now says he will consult the opposition on urgently needed economic reforms GERHARD SCHRODER has not fallen on...

America's evidence; Iraq; Countdown to war.
February 5, 2003... America's secretary of state will today present evidence to the UN Security Council that Iraq is hiding weapons of mass destruction. But Colin Powell faces a sceptical world HE HAS already admitted that there is no "smoking gun"; no single...

Zimbabwe in the dock; Zimbabwe; Tsvangirai, and Mugabe, on trial.(Morgan Tsvangirai goes on trial for treason, but Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe faces court of world opinion)
February 5, 2003... The trial of Zimbabwe's main opposition leader over a supposed plot to kill President Robert Mugabe may serve to remind the world of his regime's abuses AS THE trial for alleged treason began on February 3rd of Morgan Tsvangirai, the...

Humiliation for Schroder; German politics; Schroder's setbacks.(German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder)
February 5, 2003... German unemployment has soared to 11.1%, underlining the extent of the country's economic problems. The news comes hard on the heels of the humiliating defeat suffered by Chancellor Gerhard Schroder's ruling party in state elections THIS...

America's evidence.(on Iraq)
February 6, 2003... Colin Powell, America's secretary of state, has presented a catalogue of Iraqi "evasion and deception" to the UN Security Council. But will it convince a sceptical world that Saddam Hussein must be disarmed by force? IRAQ has failed to...

Withdrawal symptoms; Mutual funds; Flowing away.
February 6, 2003... 2002 was the first year of net outflows from equity mutual funds in America since 1988. The misery continued in January, with $5 billion of net withdrawals. Will the Securities and Exchange Commission's latest reforms help rebuild investors'...

Diplomacy, backed by force; North Korea; The other looming war?
February 6, 2003... The stand-off with North Korea is getting nastier, with the regime threatening pre-emptive action if America sends military reinforcements to the region. But diplomacy still has a chance DEALING with Asia's "hermit kingdom" is no less...

Frankfurt dithers, London acts; European monetary policy; The consequences of a rising euro.(European Central Bank leaves interest rates unchanged)
February 7, 2003... The European Central Bank has left interest rates unchanged, in spite of a sharp rise in the value of the euro, which some economists argue greatly strengthens the case for cutting rates. Frankfurt's hesitation contrasts with the Bank of...

Game over?(US intent on disarming Iraq)
February 7, 2003... As Iraq offers to do more to help weapons inspectors, President George Bush says the game is over. He will now try to convince the sceptics on the United Nations Security Council that Saddam Hussein must be disarmed by force BY NOW, can...

That F-word; The European Union; Making a constitution.(federalism could disrupt European Union)
February 7, 2003... Proposals for a new constitution for the European Union have infuriated sceptical countries like Britain with their talk of federalism. They fear, not without reason, being forced either to accept a more centralised Union, or to leave it ...

Withdrawal symptoms; Mutual funds; Flowing away.
February 7, 2003... 2002 was the first year of net outflows from equity mutual funds in America since 1988. The misery continued in January, with $5 billion of net withdrawals. Will the Securities and Exchange Commission's latest reforms help rebuild investors'...

Now for some good news; America's economy; Turning the corner?
February 7, 2003... An unexpected fall in American unemployment in January brought cheering news for the economy. But the prospect of war with Iraq, and its possible consequences, will continue to generate uncertainty IT IS much too soon to open the...

Still vulnerable; Fighting terrorism; Lessons from Europe.
February 10, 2003... President George Bush has raised the national terror alert to orange--the second-highest level--in a sign that America feels vulnerable to another spectacular terror attack. It could learn lessons from Europe, where police seem to be enjoying...

Talking begins; Israelis and Palestinians; Talking again at last.
February 10, 2003... As Ariel Sharon tries to form a new coalition government in Israel, a new round of talks have begun with the Palestinians AFTER being re-elected with a pledge to continue his hard line against the Palestinians, Ariel Sharon has scored a...

An alliance in turmoil; NATO; Crisis of credibility.(North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
February 10, 2003... The rejection by France, Germany and Belgium of America's call for NATO to start planning the defence of Turkey in the event of a war in Iraq has opened the most serious rift in the alliance's 54-year history FOR three weeks, America has...

Addressing the sceptics.(debate over disarming Iraq)
February 10, 2003... The diplomatic pace is quickening ahead of an inspectors' report on Friday, amid signs of widening splits over Iraq on the UN Security Council. Can America convince the sceptics that Saddam Hussein must be disarmed by force? AFTER...

Now for some good news; America's economy; Turning the corner?
February 10, 2003... An unexpected fall in American unemployment in January brought temporary cheer, though the economic outlook remains uncertain. Hence the interest in Alan Greenspan's testimony to Congress this week IT IS much too soon to open the champagne....

An alliance in turmoil; NATO; Crisis of credibility.(U.S calles for NATO to protect Turkey )
February 11, 2003... The rejection by France, Germany and Belgium of America's call for NATO to start planning the defence of Turkey in the event of a war in Iraq has opened the most serious rift in the alliance's 54-year history FOR three weeks, America has...

In no mood for dissent; China and democracy; Branding dissidents as terrorists.
February 11, 2003... China has sentenced a dissident to life in prison for alleged terrorist offences. Is the government in Beijing using the war on terror as an excuse to lock up and execute awkward political opponents? FOR the first time, China has sentenced...

Urging restraint; Greenspan's testimony; More discipline, please.(U.S economy in view of possible war with Iraq)
February 11, 2003... The prospect of war with Iraq has made the economic outlook more uncertain, according to the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan, in his testimony before Congress. Mr Greenspan also said that George Bush's fiscal stimulus package...

Why Iran's no North Korea; The axis of evil, cont'd; How big a rogue is Iran?(nuclear weapons)
February 12, 2003... Of the three nations denounced as the "axis of evil" by George Bush, Iran's alleged nuclear ambitions are of a lower priority. Might that soon change? THREE countries were branded as pariah states by President George Bush in his...

NATO divided; NATO; Still unable to agree.(protecting Turkey)
February 12, 2003... The rejection by France, Germany and Belgium of America's call for NATO to start planning the defence of Turkey in the event of a war in Iraq has opened the most serious rift in the alliance's 54-year history ALMOST a month of increasingly...

Still vulnerable; Counter-terrorism; America and Britain on alert.
February 13, 2003... America has raised the national terror alert to the second-highest level in a sign that it feels vulnerable to another spectacular attack, and Britain has sent troops and tanks to guard its airports. How best to smash the terrorist networks?...

A common enemy?
February 13, 2003... America says a message from Osama bin Laden shows a common cause with Iraq. This could provide George Bush with greater domestic support for a war against Saddam Hussein, despite widespread disagreement with other countries FOR Saddam...

Old Europe's last gasp? European diplomacy; In disarray.
February 13, 2003... An emergency summit of European Union leaders to discuss Iraq will take place in Athens on Monday. With divisions running deep over the prospect of war in Iraq, and relations within Europe and with America increasingly strained, it is hard to...

More discipline needed; The American economy; Bush v Greenspan.
February 13, 2003... The Bush administration has gone on the offensive to counter suggestions from the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan, that its fiscal stimulus package might be premature. Mr Greenspan also warned of the need for budget discipline...

Don't start what you can't finish; Afghanistan; Regime change is the easy bit.
February 14, 2003... America kicked the Taliban out of Afghanistan but stands accused of failing to follow through on promises to make the country more stable and democratic: many areas remain lawless, and Afghanistan's neighbours are trying to exert influence over...

A world still divided.(policy on Iraq)
February 14, 2003... The latest inspectors' report on Iraq has done nothing to heal the rifts over how to deal with Saddam Hussein. Will America's patience now snap? THE report on Iraq presented to the United Nations Security Council on Friday February 14th...

Riding for a fall; Emerging markets; Hoping for a good war.
February 14, 2003... Emerging economies and those who invest in them have so far been fairly sanguine about the possible effects of a war in Iraq. This may be too optimistic DESPITE the growing threat of war, which has weighed on rich countries' stockmarkets...

Going nowhere; Japan; Good news, bad news.
February 17, 2003... The Bank of Japan remains pessimistic about the economic outlook, according to a new report. The gloomy assessment will reinforce concern that the government remains incapable of tackling the country's deep-seated economic problems IT...

What now?(concerning Iraq)
February 17, 2003... Attempts are being made to close the international divisions over what to do about Iraq. Although new UN resolutions are in the works, the prospects for war remain high THE massive anti-war protests around the world at the weekend have...

As bad as it gets? Airlines; Recession, terrorism and now war.
February 18, 2003... The airline industry has rarely been profitable, even less so since the September 11th attacks. Now, the impending Iraqi war is spoiling any chance of a proper recovery. Some even fear that United Airlines, America's second-biggest carrier, may...

Negotiators meet again; minds don't; World trade; Doha in the doldrums.
February 19, 2003... A further effort to make cheap medicines available to poor countries has come to nothing. This follows the failure of trade ministers to agree on plans to liberalise agricultural trade during a three-day meeting in Tokyo. It looks as if the...

Caught in the crossfire.(Turkey plays for time concerning support for a war with Iraq)
February 19, 2003... In a quandary over whether to accept American aid and let US troops use its bases for an invasion of Iraq, Turkey is playing for time "IT IS decision time," Ari Fleischer, the White House spokesman, told Turkey this week. America is...

One down, many more to go; Dealing with al-Qaeda; Success in the courtroom.
February 19, 2003... The conviction of Mounir el-Motassadeq on charges of being an accessory to the murder of 3,066 people is the first time that anyone has been successfully prosecuted for a role in the September 11th attacks. More trials are in the works IT...

Facing a new resolution.(United Nations and Iraq )
February 20, 2003... Despite worldwide divisions, a new UN resolution to disarm Saddam Hussein will be tabled next week by America and Britain. Whatever its outcome, the probability of war remains high A NEW resolution that could declare Iraq to be in "material...

Ready for war.
February 21, 2003... As America and Britain start canvassing support for a new UN resolution to disarm Saddam Hussein, the troops massing in the Gulf are ready for action A NEW resolution that could declare Iraq to be in "material breach" of its obligations to...

One down, many more to go; Dealing with al-Qaeda; Success in the courtroom.
February 21, 2003... The conviction of Mounir el-Motassadeq on charges of being an accessory to the murder of 3,066 people is the first time that anyone has been successfully prosecuted for a role in the September 11th attacks. More trials are in the works IT...

Striving for co-operation.(G7 finance minister meeting)
February 21, 2003... This weekend's meeting of finance ministers from the G7 is a sign that global economic co-operation is still on the agenda for the world's richest countries. But can they do more than talk? SPENDING most of a weekend in Paris locked in...

And now for North Korea... North Korea; America rallies Asia's support.
February 21, 2003... Gathering support for a multilateral approach to dealing with the nuclear threat posed by North Korea is central to the visit to China, Japan and South Korea by Colin Powell, America's busy secretary of state AS IF Iraq is not keeping him...

Opening the northern front.(Turkey)
February 24, 2003... After weeks of hesitating, Turkey now seems set to allow American troops to use its territory to launch an invasion of Iraq AMERICAN ships laden with armoured vehicles and munitions are steaming towards the Turkish coast. Tens of thousands...

Sharon's strange alliance; Israel; Ariel Sharon's strange alliance.
February 24, 2003... The new coalition government formed by Israel's prime minister is an unusual alliance. It may not bode well for bringing peace with the Palestinians ISRAEL'S prime minister, Ariel Sharon, put together a new coalition government on Monday...

What price support for America? America's allies; Bracing for a domestic backlash.
February 25, 2003... Some of the strongest supporters of America's tough line on Iraq are facing a domestic backlash. If war goes ahead without the backing of the United Nations, George Bush's allies could pay a high political price WHY are they doing it?...

And now for North Korea... North Korea; America rallies Asia's support.
February 26, 2003... Colin Powell has been trying to drum up support for a multilateral approach to dealing with the nuclear threat posed by North Korea on his visit to China, Japan and South Korea. He hasn't had much luck AS IF Iraq were not keeping him busy...

Will war mean slump? World economy; Watching, waiting and worrying.
February 26, 2003... With war in Iraq now increasingly likely, world financial markets are becoming more nervous and volatile. The economic consequences of war are uncertain--and the current atmosphere has brought longer-term structural problems more sharply into...

The UN's downer on drugs; The UN's report on drugs; High anxiety.
February 27, 2003... The United Nations is worried about resurgent opium production in Afghanistan and soaring ecstasy use worldwide. But its ideas on how to deal with the problem are attracting criticism ONE of the few things that won international praise for...

Trouble at home; America's allies; The price of support.(Iraq issue )
February 27, 2003... Britain's prime minister is facing a large parliamentary rebellion from members of his own party because of his support for America's tough line on Iraq. Other American allies are also struggling with a domestic backlash. If war goes ahead...

Bush's war of transformation.(George W. Bush)
February 27, 2003... George Bush has presented a war to topple Saddam Hussein as a defining moment in the transformation of the Middle East. Many countries doubt that IT WAS a claim of enormous ambition. In building the case for a war on Iraq, President George...

A Dutch crown jewel tarnished.(Royal Ahold)
February 28, 2003... The accounting scandal at Royal Ahold, a giant Dutch food retailer, further undermines the idea that continental European capitalism is more reputable than the transatlantic variety "IS AHOLD Dutch for Enron?" That was the sardonic comment...

Bush's war of transformation.(George W. Bush )
February 28, 2003... Saddam Hussein has grudgingly agreed to destroy his illegal missiles as George Bush continues to build the case for a war--one which the American president says will be a defining moment in the transformation of the Middle East AS EVER,...

A nation divided; Human cloning; A thumbs-down from the House.
February 28, 2003... America's House of Representatives has voted, for the second time, to ban all forms of human cloning. But the bill faces a tough test in the Senate, where an alternative bill would allow therapeutic cloning, which offers the hope of treating...

Bubbling up; Oil and the world economy; What price a new oil shock?
February 28, 2003... The prospect of war in Iraq and a cold northern winter have helped push oil prices up to their highest level in a decade. How much damage could expensive oil inflict on the world economy? IT WAS over almost faster than you could fill your...