In The News

The Myth of Localism

George Monbiot September 9, 2003
Some delegates at the world trade talks claim to defend the interests of the poor but actually promote policies that are detrimental to developing countries, says British environmentalist and author George Monbiot in The Guardian. A proposal of particular danger, Monbiot argues, is localization, which advocates that everything that can be produced locally should be produced locally. Proponents...

Protests Greet Yet Another WTO Meeting

Pranab Bardhan September 8, 2003
As the World Trade Organization prepares to meet in Cancun, Mexico, backers and detractors of globalization are clashing again, with each side claiming to represent the interests of the world's poor. Those opposed to globalization in its current form point to an increase in inequality and poverty in countries that have opened up to international capital and corporations, while supporters...

US Said to Shift Approach in Talks With North Korea

David E. Sanger September 5, 2003
In nuclear disarmament talks last week with North Korea, the US negotiators appeared to adopt a more moderate incentive-based approach advocated by the US Department of State. While any major benefits to North Korea would come only after it fully and verifiably disarms, the mention of reducing sanctions, increasing aid, and even a peace treaty has provided a clearer vision of where talks could...

Korea: The Hexagon of Uncertainty

Francesco Sisci August 30, 2003
The six-way talks on North Korea's nuclear program made significant headway, even if the communist country did threaten to test a nuclear bomb. This article in the Asia Times notes that amidst much of its usual belligerent rhetoric, North Korea backed down on two previous demands by partaking in the talks, simultaneously giving up on bilateral negotiations with the US and meeting without a...

US, North Korea Far Apart as Negotiators Meet in Beijing

Reuters August 27, 2003
As six-way talks begin in Beijing on August 27, all participants – excepting North Korea – agree on one thing: the Korean peninsula must remain nuclear free. Aside from this fundamental point, however, all participants remain divided about the appropriate course of action. North Korea continues to demand security guarantees before dismantling its program and the United States refuses to make...

Protests greet North Korean ferry in Nigata

David Pilling August 25, 2003
A North Korean ferry sailed into a Japanese port on August 24 morning to loud and angry protests. The ferry is the only direct link between Japan and North Korea, but has not been in service since January. Accusations abound that the boat was used to smuggle drugs, counterfeit money, and parts for missiles. However, Japanese protesters are seething primarily because of North Korea's...

North Korea Agrees to Multilateral Talks

Don Kirk August 1, 2003
After months of diplomatic posturing and much bravado, North Korea and the US have agreed to sit down together to find a way to deal with Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions, its security fears, and its urgent need for fuel and food aid. Representatives of China, Russia, South Korea, and Japan will be joining the US and North Korea in multi-lateral talks, a format Washington has insisted upon as...