Global Agenda articles from January 2003

Global Agenda archives from January 2003

The pressure mounts on Chavez; Venezuela; From bad to worse.(Venezuela's Supreme Court backs President Hugo Chavez in fight to end general strike)
January 3, 2003... Venezuela's Supreme Court has provisionally backed President Hugo Chavez in his struggle to end a general strike. But the economy continues to suffer VENEZUELA'S Supreme Court has made a provisional ruling in support of Hugo Chavez, the...

Island of troubles; Cyprus; Europe's unfinished business.
January 3, 2003... Although the European Union's Copenhagen summit was deemed a success, there was no deal on Cyprus. Can an agreement to reunify the island be reached before a final deadline of February 28th? THE European Union's enlargement summit in...

Trying to assess risk properly, for a change; European insurers; Risky business.
January 3, 2003... Europe's insurers have had a terrible past few years. Part of the problem is that they have little idea what risks they are taking. The European Commission is trying to change all that AFTER 2001, it looked as if things could not get worse...

Roh wins, and looks to the North; South Korea's election; Roh wins.(Roh Moo-hyun wins South Korean presidential election)
January 3, 2003... Roh Moo-hyun, a liberal lawyer, has won South Korea's presidential election. He hopes to coax the country's dangerous northern neighbour out of its shell SOUTH KOREA has elected a liberal former human-rights lawyer as its next president....

America points the finger.(at Iraq)
January 3, 2003... America has declared Iraq to be in "material breach" of a UN resolution calling on the country to declare its weapons of mass destruction. The game could soon be up for Saddam Hussein WHEN the United Nations Security Council last month...

Lula's balancing act; Brazil; High hopes for Lula.(Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva)
January 3, 2003... Brazil's new president has stirred up enormous expectations. Can he deliver? EXTRAVAGANT celebrations, in the best Brazilian tradition, accompanied the inauguration on January 1st of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as Brazil's president--its...

Explosive North Korea; North Korea; America's few options.
January 3, 2003... America has few options in the face of North Korean bomb-making efforts. Which holds lessons for Iraq HE IS putting on a brave face, but this cannot have been a happy festive season for America's president. Less than a year ago, in his...

Unhappy New Year.(Germany's economic outlook continues to deteriorate)
January 3, 2003... As the new year starts, Germany's economic outlook continues to deteriorate, along with that for the rest of the euro area. The government now faces the prospect of a strike by millions of public-sector workers "WE ARE a rich country and...

The explosive Mr Kim; North Korea; America's few options.
January 3, 2003... America has few options in dealing with North Korea's unpredictable leader, Kim Jong Il, and his bomb-making efforts. Which holds lessons for Iraq HE IS putting on a brave face, but this cannot have been a happy festive season for...

Driving downhill.
January 3, 2003... As Detroit prepares for its big auto show, car sales are slowing down in America. This is more bad news for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, as foreign carmakers drive further into their backyard AMERICA'S love affair with the motor car...

Pumping up the price; Oil markets; Strikes and hikes.
January 6, 2003... The oil price began 2003 at a two-year high thanks to moves by OPEC, a strike in Venezuela and impending war with Iraq. Will the black stuff grow even more expensive over the next few months? LAST year was a good one for OPEC. After years...

Bush's push; America's stimulus package; Bush's risky remedy.
January 6, 2003... George Bush is about to announce a new economic stimulus package in an attempt to strengthen America's still-sluggish recovery. But will it be the right economic medicine? "I understand the politics of economic stimulus," said President...

Saddam rattles his sabre; Saddam Hussein; Still defiant.
January 6, 2003... Saddam Hussein has delivered a defiant message, accusing the United Nations weapons inspectors of spying on his country. Although war is not inevitable, time appears to be running out for the Iraqi leader FOR his first public broadside...

Carnage returns to Israel; Israelis and Palestinians; Carnage returns.
January 6, 2003... The bombings in Tel Aviv on Sunday bring to an end a six-week period of relative calm within Israel. The reprisals have already begun CARNAGE returned to the streets of Israel on January 5th. Two Palestinians--within minutes and 200 metres...

Germany's not working; Germany's economy; Not working.
January 6, 2003... As the new year starts, Germany's economic outlook continues to deteriorate, along with that for the rest of the euro area. The government now faces the prospect of a strike by millions of public-sector workers "WE ARE a rich country and...

Trouble at the top; European Central Bank; Can Trichet still take over?(French Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet)
January 6, 2003... The leading candidate to take over as head of the European Central Bank in July has gone on trial, accused of covering up losses at a big commercial bank. If Jean-Claude Trichet fails to clear his name, the succession battle at the ECB will be...

Big three in the slow lane; America's car industry; Driving downhill.
January 6, 2003... As Detroit's big auto show gets under way, car sales are slowing down in America. This is more bad news for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, as foreign carmakers drive further into their backyard AMERICA'S love affair with the motor car...

Carnage returns to Israel; Israelis and Palestinians; Carnage returns.
January 7, 2003... The bombings in Tel Aviv on Sunday bring to an end a six-week period of relative calm within Israel. The reprisals have already begun CARNAGE returned to the streets of Israel on January 5th. Two Palestinians--within minutes and 200 metres...

All that glisters... Gold; How safe a haven?
January 7, 2003... The price of gold is near a six-year high. The yellow metal seems to have regained some of its haven status thanks, in part, to weak stockmarkets and an impending war with Iraq. But its prospects are not so bright GOLD "bugs" like to...

Schroder's struggle.(German chancellor, Gerhard Schroder, faces problems of lax finances, striking state workers and anger over reforms)
January 8, 2003... With the European Commission scolding him for lax finances, state workers threatening to strike over pay, unemployment rising and his own party angry at his reform plans, it seems Germany's embattled chancellor can please nobody FACED with...

Hacking Hollywood.(Jon Lech Johansen cleared of hacking security codes on DVDs)
January 8, 2003... A teenage programmer has been acquitted of hacking into the security codes on DVDs. This is bad news for entertainment companies, but not the end of the story. The industry has only just begun using new technology to protect its copyrights ...

Bush goes for broke; America's stimulus package; Will the gamble pay off?
January 8, 2003... President George Bush's new economic stimulus package is bigger and bolder than previously expected. But will it work? And will it help Mr Bush's re-election prospects? GEORGE BUSH has set himself a tough challenge with his latest economic...

Fields of dreams; Caspian oil; Bedevilled by politics.
January 9, 2003... As OPEC prepares for a weekend meeting to discuss raising output, attention is once again focusing on alternative sources of oil, such as the Caspian region. But the countries there are in danger of putting investors off AS THE largest...

One last chance.(North Korea urged to allow nuclear inspectors)
January 9, 2003... North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Il, has been given one last chance to let nuclear inspectors back into the country. His next move is hard to predict FOR someone who, according to his official media, is a brilliant fighter pilot, an avid...

Trouble at the top; European Central Bank; Trials and tribulations.
January 9, 2003... The European Central Bank has left interest rates unchanged at its monthly meeting. This will not impress those economists who think European rates need to be lower to help stimulate economic recovery. But most attention is on the man tipped to...

It just gets worse; Investigating Wall Street; Nothing settled.
January 10, 2003... Despite having agreed to pay almost $1.5 billion to atone for conflicts of interest in research, investment banks are not out of the woods. Regulators are investigating individual executives, and disgruntled investors may also sue THERE...

Schroder's struggle.(Column)
January 10, 2003... Despite Brussels scolding him for lax finances, Germany's chancellor has been forced to concede a costly pay deal with state workers. With unemployment rising and the economy faltering, has he finally realised that deep reforms are his only...

Turning nastier.(North Korea.)
January 10, 2003... North Korea has withdrawn from the global treaty to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. The move marks an escalation of its stand-off with America IT WAS a classic piece of North Korean brinkmanship: just as there seemed to be progress...

Crude gesture; Oil; OPEC plugs its Venezuelan gap.
January 13, 2003... The price of oil has eased from two-year highs following the decision by OPEC, the oil producers' cartel, to raise its collective output quota. The move is partly to compensate for production lost during Venezuela's six-week-old general strike....

Warming up diplomacy.(negotiations between US and North Korea)
January 13, 2003... America has said it is willing to help North Korea overcome its energy shortages if the country gives up its nuclear programme. This might stop an escalation of a crisis that President George Bush could do without AMERICA has sent a...

They're off! American politics; The 2004 race gets under way.
January 13, 2003... With Joseph Lieberman's announcement that he will be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president, the 2004 race is now well under way. Four other candidates have already declared their hand, and several more are still considering...

Schroder's struggle.(German chancellor Gerhard Schroder)
January 13, 2003... Despite Brussels scolding him for lax finances, Germany's chancellor has been forced to concede a costly pay deal with state workers. With unemployment rising and the economy faltering, has he finally realised that deep reforms are his only...

How far can it fall? The dollar; What goes up....(American dollar devalued)
January 14, 2003... After losing one-tenth of its value during 2002, the American dollar has fallen to its lowest point against the euro since 1999. Will it continue its retreat? IS THE party finally over? For years, currency experts have been...

It just gets worse; Investigating Wall Street; Nothing settled.
January 14, 2003... Despite having agreed to pay almost $1.5 billion to atone for conflicts of interest in research, investment banks are not out of the woods. Regulators are investigating individual executives, and disgruntled investors are filing lawsuits...

Finding a voice in London; Israel and the Palestinians; Tension before the election.
January 14, 2003... A conference on Palestinian reform has gone ahead in London, to Israel's dismay. The chances of peace will become clearer once Israel's general election has been held RARELY has a conference been so controversial--or so difficult to get...

Warming up diplomacy.(talks between North Korea and United States)
January 14, 2003... Diplomatic moves have intensified to end the crisis over North Korea after America said it was willing to help the country overcome its energy shortages--provided it gives up its nuclear programme AFTER America's offer to help North Korea...

Will war be delayed?(American action toward Iraq)
January 14, 2003... When weapons inspectors report back to the United Nations later this month, their findings will probably not trigger a swift invasion of Iraq. But Saddam Hussein can't count on the stand-off with America continuing for long IF THE tactic...

Finding a voice in London; Israel and the Palestinians; A pre-election showdown.
January 15, 2003... A conference on Palestinian reform has gone ahead in London, to Israel's dismay. The chances of peace will become clearer once Israel's general election has been held RARELY has a conference been so controversial--or so difficult to get...

Warming up diplomacy.
January 15, 2003... Diplomatic moves have intensified to end the crisis over North Korea after America said it was willing to help the country overcome its energy shortages--provided it gives up its nuclear programme AFTER America's offer to help North Korea...

Europe at a snail's pace; The European Union; A Franco-German fudge.
January 15, 2003... The French president and the German chancellor appear to have done a deal on how the European Union will be governed in future. Institutional progress is in sharp contrast with persistent economic failure EUROPEAN heads of government start...

The enemy within.(in the UK)
January 15, 2003... The death of a policeman in a raid has brought the war on terror closer to home for British citizens. But it also raises questions about how well prepared western security forces are to combat an elusive and ubiquitous enemy BRITONS have...

The bear facts about pensions.
January 15, 2003... The three-year bear market has left many companies with big pension shortfalls, which may weigh heavily on share prices for years to come IN THE bull market of the 1990s, many firms boosted their profits by taking "holidays" from...

Emperor, shedding clothes?(US foreign policy confused)(Editorial)
January 16, 2003... America's policy towards Iraq seems confused and towards North Korea seems erratic. Is the Bush administration's diplomacy doomed? AS THE United Nations weapons inspectors prepare to present their first formal report on Iraq to the Security...

Angry, worried and impotent; Iraq's neighbours; Able to make a difference?(Middle East diplomacy)
January 17, 2003... As tensions rise in Iraq, its Muslim neighbours are getting increasingly worried about the economic and political impact of war. But their latest diplomatic efforts are unlikely to affect the outcome WITH war in Iraq looming, the country's...

When you can't sell the goods, sell the shop; Retailing; Shopping for shops.(mergers and acquisitions)
January 17, 2003... The hottest items on the shelves at the moment are retailers themselves. But experience shows that supermarket mergers are tough to pull off and shareholders usually end up worse off AFTER a couple of sleepy years, dealmaking is back in...

Ready for a fight; Saddam Hussein; Still defiant.(after weapons inspection by United Nations Security Council)
January 17, 2003... Despite the discovery of empty chemical warheads, Saddam Hussein remains defiant, saying anyone who tries to invade Iraq will be defeated. But he has ever more reasons to be worried DEFIANT as ever, Saddam Hussein appeared on television on...

The challenge of uncertainty.(economic forecasting is difficult)
January 17, 2003... America's economic recovery remains uncomfortably weak. The latest data show industrial production falling while the trade deficit soars to record levels. With Europe and Japan in even worse shape, a sustained global upturn still seems elusive...

The enemy within.(terrorists in the UK)
January 20, 2003... The death of a policeman in a raid has brought the war on terror closer to home for British citizens. But it also raises questions about how well prepared western security forces are to combat an elusive and ubiquitous enemy BRITONS have...

Exile? Overthrow? Anything but war; Iraq; Can war be averted?
January 20, 2003... America has suggested that war could be averted if Saddam Hussein were exiled to a third country. Iraq's neighbours are keen on any solution that does not involve a military conflict WITH America sending ever larger numbers of troops to the...

The emerging markets' scapegoat; Emerging markets; Why the IMF can never win.(International Monetary Fund)
January 20, 2003... Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey and others want help from the International Monetary Fund but are less keen on its prescriptions. Did the IMF become a hostage to fortune by blinking first in its latest stand-off with Argentina? IT IS...

When you can't sell the goods, sell the shop; Retailing; Shopping for shops.
January 20, 2003... The hottest items on the shelves at the moment are retailers themselves. But experience shows that supermarket mergers are tough to pull off and shareholders usually end up worse off AFTER a couple of sleepy years, dealmaking is back in...

Europe at a snail's pace; The European Union; A Franco-German fudge.
January 20, 2003... France and Germany are preparing to mark the 40th anniversary of their friendship treaty this week in Versailles. The close relations between the French president and the German chancellor have ensured a deal between the two on how the European...

As divisive as ever; Abortion; A bitter anniversary.
January 21, 2003... The 30th anniversary of Roe v Wade, the case in which America's Supreme Court overturned a state-level ban on abortion, will be marked by protests from both sides. Although abortion is at its lowest-ever level, a new Republican-dominated...

Scything farm subsidies; European agriculture; Scything subsidies.
January 21, 2003... The European Commission will unveil new plans to reform the costly common agricultural policy this week--reforms it says are necessary as part of world trade talks. But Europe's farmers and many of its politicians don't like change FARMERS...

On trial.(Mexican prisoners on America's death rows)
January 21, 2003... If Mexico wins a stay of execution for its death-row prisoners in American jails, it will be another small step on the road to ending the death penalty worldwide RELATIONS between Mexico and America have become strained over the latter's...

The emerging markets' scapegoat; Emerging markets; Why the IMF can never win.
January 21, 2003... Indonesia has said it will not seek to extend its loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund when it expires at the end of the year. The announcement comes as critics question the deal recently struck between Argentina and the IMF ...

The challenge of uncertainty.(sustained global upturn still seems elusive)
January 21, 2003... New data show housing starts in America surged to their highest level for 16 years last month. But most recent figures suggest the country's economic recovery is still uncomfortably weak. With Europe and Japan in even worse shape, a sustained...

Divided over war.(United Nations Security Council divided on U.S. war with Iraq)
January 22, 2003... As a massive military build-up continues in the Gulf, France and Germany say they cannot support American military action to topple Saddam Hussein. Russia says it believes the decision to attack Iraq has already been made AS THE United...

Scything farm subsidies; European agriculture; Scything subsidies.
January 22, 2003... The European Commission has approved proposals to reform the costly common agricultural policy--reforms it says are necessary as part of world trade talks. But Europe's farmers and many of its politicians don't like change FARMERS are...

Rendezvous in Versailles.(French-German relations)
January 22, 2003... France and Germany have marked the 40th anniversary of their friendship treaty in Versailles with a batch of new agreements. Should less powerful members of the European Union be worried? IT'S been a long time since Versailles saw a party...

As divisive as ever; Abortion; A bitter anniversary.
January 22, 2003... The 30th anniversary of Roe v Wade, the case in which America's Supreme Court overturned a state-level ban on abortion, has been marked by protests from both sides. Although abortion is at its lowest-ever level, a new Republican-dominated...

The emerging markets' scapegoat; Emerging markets; Why the IMF can never win.(International Monetary Fund)
January 23, 2003... Indonesia has said it might not seek to extend its loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund when it expires at the end of the year. The announcement comes as critics question the deal recently struck between Argentina and the IMF ...

Divided over war.(Iraq)
January 23, 2003... As a massive military build-up continues in the Gulf, France and Germany say they cannot support American military action to topple Saddam Hussein. Russia says it believes the decision to attack Iraq has already been made AS THE United...

Scything farm subsidies; European agriculture; Scything subsidies.
January 23, 2003... The European Commission has approved proposals to reform the costly common agricultural policy, but they may not be enough to satisfy the rest of the world FARMERS are uniquely effective lobbyists. Right across the industrial world, they...

Hoping to make a difference.(Meeting of Middle Eastern states)
January 23, 2003... Turkey is hosting a meeting of Middle Eastern states to discuss ways of avoiding war. Iraq's neighbours fear that a conflict will create economic and political turmoil in the region REPRESENTATIVES from a number of Middle Eastern states,...

Snarling across the border; India and Pakistan; Squabbling again.
January 23, 2003... The latest row between India and Pakistan, in which each has expelled four of the other countries' officials, appears relatively trivial. But there are fears that it could be the precursor to another crisis between the two nuclear-armed...

Divided over war.(Iraq)
January 23, 2003... As a massive military build-up continues in the Gulf, Russia and China have joined with France and Germany to say they cannot support American military action to topple Saddam Hussein AS THE United Nations weapons inspectors prepare to...

An undecided election.
January 24, 2003... Ariel Sharon looks set to win the Israeli election, but he faces new problems in trying to form the sort of coalition government he would like WITH Ariel Sharon's Likud Party far ahead in the opinion polls, attention in the Israeli...

Battle plans.
January 24, 2003... Amid acrimonious splits between America and some of its allies, the drums of war are beating louder. George Bush faces a crunch time ahead over an invasion of Iraq IF IT came to a vote, America would lose. Amid the hurling of insults...

What future for Fiat? Fiat; After Agnelli.(Company Profile)
January 24, 2003... A break-up of Italy's giant Fiat industrial group seems more likely following the death of its patriarch, Gianni Agnelli. But can its core carmaking division be saved? GIANNI AGNELLI died on January 24th, hours before his family was due to...

That elusive recovery.(U.S. Federal Reserve's management of interest rates in loom of possible war)
January 27, 2003... America's Federal Reserve will review its interest-rate policy amid signs that the world's biggest economy remains weaker than politicians, businesses and voters would like. With a possible war in Iraq looming, the global economic outlook is,...

Crunch time.(United Nations, Iraqi disarmament)
January 27, 2003... Hans Blix, the chief UN weapons inspector, has told the Security Council that Iraq has not done enough to show that it is genuine about disarmament. Saddam Hussein now has very little time to make amends IRAQ has not done enough to convince...

An undecided election.(Israel)
January 27, 2003... Ariel Sharon looks set to win the Israeli election, but he faces new problems in trying to form the sort of coalition government he would like WITH Ariel Sharon's Likud Party far ahead in the opinion polls, attention in the Israeli...

Different interpretations; Iraq; The divisions deepen.(disagreements over giving Iraq more time to disarm)
January 28, 2003... Weapons inspectors have told the UN Security Council that Iraq has not done enough to show it is genuine about disarmament. But there is disagreement about how much more time it should be given IRAQ has not done enough to convince the world...

Snarling across the border; India and Pakistan; Squabbling again.
January 28, 2003... The latest row between India and Pakistan, in which each has expelled four of the other countries' officials, appears relatively trivial. But there are fears that it could be the precursor to another crisis between the two nuclear-armed...

Setting the rules; Corporate governance; The SEC's tough new rules.(U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission)
January 29, 2003... America's Securities and Exchange Commission has approved a new set of corporate-governance rules, as required by Congress under the Sarbanes-Oxley act passed last summer. After intense lobbying from accountants and lawyers, the rules have lost...

Give and take; Health care in poor countries; More drugs, please.(Lee Jong-wook, new head of World Health Organization; drug access for poor nations)
January 29, 2003... A new boss for the World Health Organisation, renewed talks about access to cheap drugs for poor countries, and a $15 billion handout from America to fight AIDS. Is the world finally getting to grips with Africa's health problems? AFRICA...

How low could they go? Stockmarkets; Shellshocked.(stock markets react to war concerns)
January 29, 2003... Shares are starting to look a lot less expensive. But war worries and the tendency of stockmarkets to overshoot on the way down, as well as on the way up, mean they might fall quite a bit further before recovering QUITE some bear market....

Working on the sceptics; The state-of-the-union address; Bush's battle plan.(George W. Bush, economic policy; policy towards Iraq)
January 29, 2003... In his state-of-the-union address before Congress, George Bush sought to convince Americans--and the rest of the world--that he can get a grip on the faltering economy and that his hard line on Iraq is justified. Did he succeed? "ONCE...

Back on top; Israel; Ariel Sharon is back on top.(Israel, parliamentary elections)
January 29, 2003... The Likud party led by Ariel Sharon has won a sweeping victory in the Israeli election. Mr Sharon is now in a commanding position to build a new coalition ARIEL SHARON romped home to victory in the Israeli election on January 28th. His...

The case for war.(arguments for striking Iraq)
January 29, 2003... After the weapons inspectors tell the UN Security Council that Iraq has not done enough to show it is genuine about disarmament, George Bush says America will provide new evidence about Saddam Hussein's illicit arms programmes IRAQ has not...

That elusive recovery.
January 30, 2003... America's Federal Reserve has left interest rates on hold, and taken a more optimistic view of the economic outlook than some expected. But with a possible war in Iraq looming, the global economic outlook is, at best, uncertain WHO would...

A temporary setback? America's economy; A marked slowdown.(fourth quarter of 2002)
January 30, 2003... America's economy expanded only slightly in the final quarter of 2002--a marked slowdown from earlier in the year. With the prospect of war in Iraq looming, it may be too soon to talk of sustained recovery FOR once, the forecasters got it...

A costly business; Business and the war; The costs begin to mount.(prospect of war in Iraq, costs on business)
January 30, 2003... The prospect of war in Iraq is already heaping costs on business. Companies are becoming increasingly worried about a rising oil price, disruption to their supply chains, boycotts and falling demand IN A play on the old market adage, "Buy...