Global Agenda articles from March 2003

Global Agenda archives from March 2003

Big Tobacco cut down to size, yet again; Big Tobacco: Litigation returns.
March 3, 2003... America's justice department is seeking unprecedented restrictions on the marketing of tobacco, according to recently-filed pre-trial documents. This comes as a surprise as the Bush administration had sought a settlement of the three-year-old...

Bush's war of transformation.(building a case for war )
March 3, 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,...

America battles on.(Iraq disarmament)
March 3, 2003... As Iraq tries to show its willingness to disarm by destroying its al-Samoud 2 missiles, America continues with its war plans--despite all the obstacles EVEN as Iraq begins to destroy some of its illegal missiles and promises a new report...

Quitting is tough.(proposed international tobacco-control treaty)
March 3, 2003... A proposed international tobacco-control treaty is weaker than anti-smoking campaigners had wanted but it is likely to do some good ALMOST four years after starting to discuss worldwide curbs on tobacco, on March 1st diplomats representing...

The coming dash for safety.(Possible Iraqi refugees )
March 4, 2003... America says that war with Iraq could create up to 2m refugees. Where will they go, and who will feed them? THEIRS are the faces that haunt every war--and this one, if it comes, will be no different. Masses of refugees, with bundles on...

Now for the hard part; Central Europe; Containable crises?
March 4, 2003... The Polish and Czech governments are in disarray, following domestic political upsets. Their difficulties come at an unfortunate time, as both countries prepare for accession to the European Union THEY might be what Donald Rumsfeld called...

Disrupting al-Qaeda; Al-Qaeda's "CEO"; The biggest catch yet.
March 5, 2003... The arrest of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged chief executive of the al-Qaeda terrorist network, has been hailed by President George Bush as "fantastic". But will it seriously disrupt al-Qaeda's ability to carry out attacks? GIVEN the...

Gunning for Gaza.(Israeli raids into Gaza )
March 5, 2003... Israeli raids into Palestinian areas have intensified, bringing little hope of peace to the Middle East WITH the world focused on Iraq and the war to come, Palestinians in Gaza are reeling from a war already arrived, courtesy of a massive...

America battles on.(US prepares for war against Iraq)
March 5, 2003... As Iraq tries to show its willingness to disarm by destroying missiles, America continues with its war plans and the UN Security Council prepares for a crucial meeting FOREIGN ministers from France, Germany and Russia met in Paris on March...

Nor any drop to drink; The world's fresh water; Running dry and turning dirty.
March 5, 2003... A United Nations report says the world's fresh water is being used up fast. But much can be done to ensure that nobody goes thirsty in future WORLD leaders have been debating for years how to conserve the planet's fresh-water supplies and...

In the red; Economic imbalances; A world of deficits?
March 6, 2003... With America's budget deficits set to soar, and European governments getting cold feet about budget discipline, fiscal prudence is slipping down the economic agenda. Do deficits no longer matter? CENTRAL bankers have an instinctive...

Carefully does it; European interest rates; Too little, too late?(European Central Bank cuts interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point)
March 6, 2003... The European Central Bank has cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point. Is this enough to help Europe's sluggish economies? WHY so small? That is the question many economists and businesses were asking after the announcement...

Regime change for doctors.
March 7, 2003... Besides drawing flak over their proposed war on Iraq, allied leaders all face battles on the home front over their health reforms AS WELL as facing the heavy political and financial costs of pursuing a war against Iraq that much of their...

Closing in on the terrorist-in-chief? Al-Qaeda; Stepping up the search for bin Laden.(Osama bin Laden)
March 7, 2003... The search for Osama bin Laden has been stepped up since the arrest of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged day-to-day boss of al-Qaeda. Intelligence officials are using information gathered in the raid to try to track down the terror network's...

A last, last chance?(the United Nations gives the leaders of Cyprus' two communities one last chance to reunify the island)
March 10, 2003... The leaders of Cyprus's two communities have been given a final opportunity to reunify the island. They are unlikely to take it IS IT really now or never? Having failed to get the leaders of Cyprus's two communities to agree a plan to...

Reluctant vote-wielders; The UN Security Council; Twisting the rotating members' arms.(on war against Iraq)
March 11, 2003... Given the trouble it might cause them, many of the UN Security Council's non-permanent members wish they did not have to decide on a war in Iraq WHILE the United States and Britain are keen to press ahead this week with a second resolution...

Eleventh hour at the UN.(efforts to avert war against Iraq)
March 11, 2003... As France and Russia declare they would veto a second UN resolution on Iraq, diplomats are working overtime to find a compromise--perhaps even new tests for Saddam Hussein NEW concessions are being offered over Iraq as America and Britain...

Getting jumpy; Global markets; Nervous about the endgame.(planned war against Iraq affects world economy)
March 12, 2003... With war in Iraq looking increasingly likely, the dollar continues to fall and oil prices rise. Market nerves will not be easily soothed THERE can be few people to whom war in Iraq would now come as a surprise. For months now, the media...

Walking along the path of reform; Palestinian reform; A step in the right direction.
March 12, 2003... Yasser Arafat has agreed to share power in the Palestinian territories with a reform-minded prime minister. But the peace "roadmap" remains shelved and there is no end in sight to the violent conflict with Israel On March 10th, Yasser...

Bringing tyrants to book; International Criminal Court; That other transatlantic quarrel.
March 12, 2003... America is not only at odds with Europe over Iraq--the newly launched International Criminal Court is another bone of contention. The fight over the scope of its jurisdiction has obscured its largely admirable ambitions IT ALL sounds so...

Umpteenth time unlucky; Cyprus; The end of the road.
March 12, 2003... The leaders of Cyprus's two communities have failed to seize a final opportunity to unify the island. This is particularly bad news for Turkey, whose accession to the European Union may be delayed as a result IT WASN'T to be. After failing...

The just-in-case economy; Manufacturing supply chains; In a tangle?(war with Iraq could disrupt shipping)
March 12, 2003... The American government reckons a war with Iraq might cost at least $60 billion. That could be dwarfed by the bill which manufacturers and freight companies eventually have to pick up if a prolonged war disrupts supply chains and blocks vital...

Emergency in the Balkans.(Serbia's Prime Minister is assassinated)
March 12, 2003... Serbia is thrown into turmoil by the assassination of its prime minister THE killing of Zoran Djindjic, Serbia's prime minister, has sent shock waves through the Balkans, threatening to upset the region's precarious stability after a...

War without compromise.(Iraq )
March 12, 2003... Diplomats are scrambling to find some sort of compromise over Iraq which could be supported by the UN Security Council as it prepares to vote on a crucial second resolution. Whatever the outcome, war looks to be only days away AS TIME runs...

Scrambling for a compromise.(United Nations Iraq resolution)
March 13, 2003... Diplomats are scrambling to find some sort of compromise over a crucial second UN resolution on Iraq. But the divisions are so great that the resolution could be abandoned FRANTIC diplomacy continues as time runs out for the deeply divided...

Schroder still struggles.(Gerhard Schroder)
March 14, 2003... Germany's chancellor, Gerhard Schroder, has finally unveiled a package of reforms for the ailing German economy. Will they do the trick? CORNERED must be how Gerhard Schroder feels these days. With his opinion-poll ratings plummeting, and...

Emergency in the Balkans.(prime minister Zoran Djindjic assassination)(Obituary)(Biography)
March 14, 2003... Serbia is thrown into turmoil by the assassination of its prime minister THE killing of Zoran Djindjic, Serbia's prime minister, has sent shock waves through the Balkans, threatening to upset the region's precarious stability after a...

Don't look back; War and the world economy; History lessons.(Editorial)
March 14, 2003... The growing likelihood of war with Iraq has focused attention on the costs of military intervention to America. War will inevitably be expensive in cash terms. Does history suggest the global economic cost could be even greater? ...

Picture Gallery.(photo captions )(Brief Article)
March 17, 2003... Crews ready aircraft for launches during continued flight operations aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the eastern Mediterranean Sea British troops gather for a briefing by Jeff Conway, Commanding General of the 1st Marine Expeditionary...

Ready for a shooting war.(Editorial)
March 17, 2003... America's vastly superior firepower compared with Iraq's does not guarantee it a swift and clean victory MILITARY officials say it will be a "shock", and they are surely right. When the diplomatic dance has finally ended, Iraqis can expect...

Blair sticks to his guns; Britain and war; How much trouble is Blair in?(Tony Blair)
March 17, 2003... A senior member of the British government has resigned in protest against Tony Blair's policy on Iraq. With war now all but certain, Britain's prime minister is facing a political crisis at home "WE HAVE reached the point of decision." That...

The final ultimatum.(war against Iraq)
March 17, 2003... After withdrawing a second UN resolution on Iraq, President George Bush prepares to deliver a final ultimatum to Saddam Hussein: leave Iraq or face a war SADDAM HUSSEIN will get one last ultimatum from President George Bush on Monday March...

The final ultimatum.(War against Iraq)
March 17, 2003... President George Bush delivered a final ultimatum on Monday March 17th to Saddam Hussein: leave Iraq within 48 hours or there will be war SADDAM HUSSEIN got one last ultimatum from President George Bush on Monday March 17th: he must leave...

Blair sticks to his guns; British politics; How much trouble is Blair in?(UK Prime Minister Tony Blair)
March 18, 2003... Three government ministers have resigned in protest against Tony Blair's policy on Iraq. With war now all but certain, Britain's prime minister is facing a political crisis at home "WE HAVE reached the point of decision." That was Tony...

Blair sticks to his guns; British politics; How much trouble is Blair in?(UK Prime Minister Tony Blair )
March 18, 2003... Three government ministers have resigned in protest against Tony Blair's policy on Iraq. With war now all but certain, Britain's prime minister is facing a political crisis at home "WE HAVE reached the point of decision." That was Tony...

Getting to grips with graft; Corruption; A cancer that is hard to cure.
March 19, 2003... The UN is working on a worldwide treaty to combat corruption. Overcoming such a pervasive scourge, even with a concerted international effort, will be hard WHILE the United Nations' top diplomats have continued exchanging harsh words over...

Your guess is as good as theirs; America's economy; The Fed treads cautiously.
March 19, 2003... America's Federal Reserve has kept interest rates on hold, in the hope that an end to geopolitical uncertainty will help the economy gather speed. Is the central bankers' caution justified? THE experts at the Federal Reserve found it...

On the brink of war.(War against Iraq)
March 19, 2003... As George Bush's deadline expires, Saddam Hussein prepares for war. The Iraqi dictator faces a formidable military force, but he is cornered and dangerous DEFIANT to the last, Saddam Hussein said he has no intention of meeting President...

Off the hook? British politics; Has Blair's gamble paid off?(Tony Blair supports war against Iraq)
March 19, 2003... Tony Blair faced a large rebellion from his backbench MPs at the end of a parliamentary debate on the Iraq crisis. But is the worst now over for the British prime minister? IT WAS perhaps the most challenging day of Tony Blair's...

War and peace; Israel and the Palestinians; The key to Middle Eastern peace.
March 20, 2003... As Israel prepares for a possible attack by Saddam Hussein, its government comes under renewed pressure to make peace with the Palestinians and offer them a state of their own Israel is bracing itself for a war it hopes it will not be part...

The war begins.(War against Iraq)
March 20, 2003... Soon after his deadline expired, George Bush announced war against Iraq had begun. Opportunist air strikes were launched in an attempt to assassinate senior members of Saddam Hussein's regime A LITTLE more than two hours after the expiry of...

The war begins.(War against Iraq)
March 20, 2003... Soon after his deadline expired, George Bush announced war against Iraq had begun. Opportunist air strikes were launched in an attempt to assassinate senior members of Saddam Hussein's regime A LITTLE more than two hours after the expiry of...

The war intensifies.
March 20, 2003... The war against Saddam Hussein has escalated with a second wave of air strikes on Baghdad and the movement of ground troops into southern Iraq. More ferocious attacks are expected soon A LITTLE more than two hours after the expiry of...

Picture Gallery.
March 21, 2003... The planning ministry in Baghdad explodes after being hit during the second day of raids on the Iraqi capitalAn American Marine F18 takes off from a base in KuwaitAmerican soldiers from the 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne assemble before...

How to analyse the battle; Battle plans; So many unknowns.(war in Iraq)
March 21, 2003... Military action always involves uncertainties, but some of the biggest ones can be found in America's own plans to invade Iraq THE initial attack on Iraq involved only limited bombing of a select few targets but America promised it would...

In need of repair; Europe's Brussels summit; A frosty occasion.
March 21, 2003... The Brussels summit of European heads of government took place in an unusually frosty atmosphere. Repairing relations after the divisions on Iraq will take considerable time and effort THE timing could not have been worse for the European...

Re-ordering the world; International relations; The post-Iraq world order.
March 21, 2003... It is already clear that whatever the outcome of the war in Iraq, relations between the world's most powerful countries have shifted significantly. How far-reaching will the post-war changes in international relations be? IT IS always...

Putin's proposition; A referendum in Chechnya; Choosing between war and peace.(Russian president Vladimir Putin proposes limited autonomy for Chechnya)
March 21, 2003... Will peace and prosperity follow if Chechens vote yes to Russia's offer of limited autonomy this weekend? Vladimir Putin says so but the signs are not hopeful AFTER years of separatist war, in which more than a quarter of a million people...

Pushing towards Baghdad.(war in Iraq)
March 21, 2003... American and British troops have begun the invasion of Iraq without the ferocious "shock and awe" strikes that had been expected. The hope is that Saddam Hussein will give up before they become necessary AFTER intense pounding by heavy...

The air war begins.(war in Iraq)
March 21, 2003... The war has intensified with massive air strikes against Baghdad and other Iraqi cities. These will put more pressure on Saddam Hussein's forces to surrender as American and British troops continue their advance A MASSIVE air war was...

Dashing for safety; Iraq and refugees; The dash for safety.
March 22, 2003... America says that war with Iraq could create up to 2m refugees. Where will they go, and who will feed them? THEIRS are the faces that haunt every war--and this one is unlikely to be different. Masses of refugees, with bundles on their backs...

Flying the unfriendly skies.(war in Iraq will affect airlines)
March 22, 2003... America's big airlines say the war in Iraq could make their current dire predicament turn catastrophic. But this may not be enough to win them further state aid COULD President George Bush be forced to order the nationalisation of...

The air war begins.(war in Iraq)
March 22, 2003... The war has intensified with massive air strikes against Baghdad and other Iraqi cities. These will put more pressure on Saddam Hussein's forces to surrender as American and British troops continue their advance A MASSIVE air war was...

A fight on many fronts.(war in Iraq)
March 22, 2003... The war has intensified with massive air strikes against Baghdad and fierce battles in southern Iraq. Turkish incursions into Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq have led to fears of a war within a war A MASSIVE air war was launched against...

Halfway to Baghdad.(war in Iraq)
March 23, 2003... American and British forces are halfway to Baghdad. But the worst battles could still be to come AMERICAN and British troops have advanced to within 160km (100 miles) of Baghdad. Since crossing the Kuwaiti border they have captured a...

Halfway to Baghdad.(war in iraq)
March 23, 2003... American and British forces are halfway to Baghdad, but starting to meet fierce resistance. Some US troops are captured AMERICAN and British troops have advanced to within 160km (100 miles) of Baghdad. Since crossing the Kuwaiti border they...

The bumpy road to Baghdad; Iraq; The road to Baghdad.(war in Iraq)
March 24, 2003... Coalition commanders say the war is going to plan but casualties are increasing as the fighting intensifies. The parading of captured US troops on Iraqi television has further darkened America's mood AS DAWN broke over Baghdad on Monday...

Putin's proposition; A referendum in Chechnya; Choosing between war and peace.
March 25, 2003... Will peace and prosperity follow now Chechens have voted yes to Russia's offer of limited autonomy? Vladimir Putin says so but the signs are not hopeful AFTER years of separatist war, in which more than a quarter of a million people have...

Tense times at home; Homeland security; Still vulnerable.
March 25, 2003... America and Britain have done much to guard against wartime terror attacks but they are still vulnerable WILL war in Iraq spark terrorist attacks in Britain and America? Both countries are clearly worried: last week, America's...

Getting the jitters again.(The price of oil)
March 25, 2003... The price of oil jumped by more than a dollar a barrel after plunging to a four-month low during the first days of the war in Iraq. Traders are now worried that the conflict could last longer than they had expected. Sharp cuts in Nigerian...

Time for a rethink; World economy; Coping with war.
March 25, 2003... The world's financial markets are adjusting to the prospect of a longer, messier war in Iraq than many investors had been hoping for. Another bout of uncertainty will not help the economic outlook IT IS well known that markets hate...

Closing in on Baghdad.(British and U.S forces meet Saddam Hussein's most loyal troops)
March 25, 2003... As they near Baghdad, coalition forces battle with some of Saddam Hussein's toughest troops. Casualties, both military and civilian, could rise dramatically over the coming days AFTER another night of air raids, American and British forces...

Flying the unfriendly skies.(U.S> airlines hope for a goverment bailout)
March 26, 2003... American airlines' hopes of another government bailout, this time to cover their losses from the war in Iraq, are rising. But they should not count on it COULD President George Bush be forced to order the nationalisation of America's...

Eyeing Turkey nervously; The Kurdish question; Still without an answer.
March 26, 2003... Turkey prepares to send more troops into Iraq to stop the Kurds seizing perhaps their best chance of self-rule since the Ottoman empire collapsed THE Kurds, numbering around 25m, are often called the world's biggest stateless nation. Since...

The battle for Baghdad.
March 26, 2003... As the coalition battles with some of Saddam Hussein's toughest troops outside Baghdad, Iraqi television is hit in another air raid on the capital. There are reports of a civilian uprising in Basra BAGHDAD suffered another round of bombing...

Clipped; Hedge funds; In the regulators' sights.
March 26, 2003... The Securities and Exchange Commission is taking a "long, hard look" at hedge funds. Much stricter regulation may not be far away SECRETIVE, powerful and very lightly regulated, hedge funds have a glamour about them that the rest of the...

Taxing times; American economic policy; Are Bush's tax plans in disarray?
March 26, 2003... The Senate has delivered a snub to President George Bush by voting to halve his planned tax cut in a surprise vote. Even as American troops are fighting in Iraq it looks as if the president's domestic agenda may be in trouble THE...

Clipped; Hedge funds; In the regulators' sights.
March 27, 2003... The Securities and Exchange Commission is taking a "long, hard look" at hedge funds. Much stricter regulation may not be far away SECRETIVE, powerful and very lightly regulated, hedge funds have a glamour about them that the rest of the...

Taxing times; American economic policy; Are Bush's tax plans in disarray?
March 27, 2003... The Senate has delivered a snub to President George Bush by voting to halve his planned tax cut in a surprise vote. Even as American troops are fighting in Iraq it looks as if the president's domestic agenda may be in trouble THE...

Bringing in reinforcements.(war in Iraq)
March 27, 2003... George Bush and Tony Blair meet for a war council as the coalition prepares to bring in reinforcements and American paratroopers open up a northern front AROUND 1,000 American soldiers parachuted into Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq on...

Preparing for a bigger battle.(war in Iraq)
March 27, 2003... More huge bombs fall on Baghdad and coalition troops pour into Iraq as George Bush says the war will last as long as it takes to win AS HUGE bombs fell on Baghdad during an air raid in the early hours of Friday, additional troops continued...

An UNconfirmed role; The UN and Iraq; A post-war role?
March 28, 2003... At his summit with George Bush, Tony Blair urged a greater role for the United Nations in Iraq once the war is over. But even the multilateralist Colin Powell has insisted America will remain in control of Iraq's post-war political structures...

Will there ever be a breakthrough? World trade; Doha in danger.
March 28, 2003... It now looks as if a key deadline in the Doha round of world trade negotiations will be missed. As ever, agriculture is the sticking point, but now it threatens to wreck the talks altogether IT IS not just the Iraqis who are digging in for...

Trouble on the doorstep.(war in Iraq)
March 28, 2003... The war on Iraq has not so far caused widespread destabilisation in the Middle East, as some had predicted. But it is giving Saddam Hussein's neighbours plenty to worry about MORE than a week into the American-led war against Iraq, its...

A strategic dilemma.(war in Iraq)
March 28, 2003... As more bombs fall on Baghdad and more coalition troops pour into Iraq, military commanders are left with some hard choices AS BAGHDAD'S defiant residents converged on mosques for Friday prayers, more bombs fell on targets in the city and...

Fears of a Kurdish revival; The Kurdish question; Still without an answer.
March 29, 2003... Turkey expresses alarm at Kurdish advances, fearing they may try to seize perhaps their best chance of self-rule since the Ottoman empire collapsed THE Kurds, numbering around 25m, are often called the world's biggest stateless nation....

The limits of technology.(war in iraq)
March 29, 2003... Will Baghdad be the backdrop for the mother of all battles? COALITION forces have advanced through southern Iraq at an impressive rate, to within 50 miles (80km) of Baghdad. To sustain the pace of this advance, American and British troops...

Trouble on the doorstep.(war in Iraq still contained within Iraq, so far)
March 29, 2003... Although America has given stern warnings to Syria and Iran against becoming involved in the war on Iraq, there has not so far been widespread destabilisation in the Middle East, as some had predicted. But the war is giving Saddam Hussein's...

A strategic dilemma.(war in Iraq still endangers some civilians)
March 29, 2003... As more bombs fall on Baghdad and more coalition troops pour into Iraq, military commanders are left with some hard choices IN ANOTHER night of air raids on Baghdad, Iraq said more than 50 civilians were killed when a market in the capital...

Taxing times; American economic policy; Are Bush's tax plans in disarray?
March 31, 2003... The Senate has delivered a snub to President George Bush by voting to halve his planned tax cut in a surprise vote. Even as American troops are fighting in Iraq it looks as if the president's domestic agenda may be in trouble THE...

Trouble on the doorstep.(effects of Iraq war on neighboring countries)
March 31, 2003... Although America has given stern warnings to Syria and Iran against becoming involved in the war on Iraq, there has not so far been widespread destabilisation in the Middle East, as some had predicted. But the war is giving Saddam Hussein's...

War without pause.(war in Iraq)
March 31, 2003... As the bombing of Baghdad intensifies and coalition troops launch raids targeting guerrilla leaders, military commanders insist there will be no pause in the fighting THE bombing of Baghdad and Republican Guard divisions near the city...