In The News

Latin Lands Don't Share Powell's Priorities

Larry Rohter June 10, 2003
At the annual conference of the Organization of American States, US Secretary of State Colin Powell tried to leave behind all ideological differences between the North and the South over the war in Iraq. Instead, he emphasized the current US position in Latin America – to allow more free trade through prospective treaties like the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA), and to pressure...

Contraband Is Big Business in Paraguay

Tony Smith June 10, 2003
Many are skeptical of Paraguay’s president-elect Nicanor Duarte Frutos’ promise to crackdown on the illegal production and trade of counterfeit products. Approximately one-fifth of the Paraguayan economy is fueled by unlawful cross-border trade with neighboring Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia, from where the 'knock offs' – anything from fake Marlboro cigarettes to computer parts - are...

Thaksin in America: PM Denies Visit is to Patch Up Ties with US

Yuwadee Tunyasiri June 10, 2003
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra denies that his visit to the US is to smooth over tensions with US President Bush. This comes amidst reports alleging that Bush is displeased with Thailand’s refusal to acknowledge publicly its role in the war in Iraq, and in the fight against global terrorism. In response, Thai officials maintain that Thailand fully supports the international community...

US May Put Naval Blockade on North Korea

Andrew Ward June 9, 2003
US undersecretary of state for arms control, John Bolton, told the media last week that the Bush administration was discussing with its allies a possible naval blockade on North Korea, mainly in order to cut off its weapon exports. It is very possible that this measure, if adopted, will also halt the export of other illegal products such as drugs. Since weapons technology and illegal exports have...

Indians Pursue Portuguese Passports as an Entree to Europe

James Brooke June 8, 2003
Anyone who was living in the Indian state of Goa in 1961 – when colonization by Portugal officially ended – or who had an ancestor living there at the time, can still obtain a Portuguese passport and thus have indirect access to much of Europe. During decolonization, the Portuguese made arrangements so that all inhabitants of “Portuguese India” would retain some of the rights of Portuguese...

Thailand Tiptoes in Step With American Antiterror Effort

Raymond Bonner June 8, 2003
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been keeping his assistance to the US anti-terrorist effort private, fearing retaliation from terrorists and the impact of a public avowal on a tourist industry already suffering because of SARS and a bombing in Bali last year. Nevertheless, Thailand has been instrumental to the US anti-terrorism effort, providing interrogation facilities, the use of...

Japan Adopts Laws Strengthening Military Powers

Howard W. French June 7, 2003
As tensions mount in North Korea, the Japanese Parliament has passed a series of war contingency bills that increase the power of the government to use military force in a time of emergency. These bills represent the first major expansion of Japanese military power; the treaty ending WWII had reduced its military to a self-defense force that often facilitates US efforts. The laws have sparked a...