In The News

Freeze on Thai Labour Going to Gaza Strip

December 4, 2002
Governments of some developing countries encourage and tangibly assist their citizens who are willing to serve as laborers overseas. In Thailand's case, though, the safety of Thai laborers abroad is also garnering the government's attention. After three Thai workers were involved in a shooting in the Jewish settlement of Dolah last week, the Thai government is taking action. The Labor...

China Has World's Tightest Internet Censorship, Study Finds

Joseph Kahn December 4, 2002
"Defying predictions that the Internet was inherently too diverse and malleable for state control, China has denied a vast majority of its 46 million Internet users access to information that it feels could weaken its authoritarian power." That's the conclusion of a new survey of internet use in China done by a team of researchers at Harvard University. The six-month study found...

Increased Globalization Pivotal to Japanese Reform

Richard Katz December 4, 2002
Japanese exports have been at the forefront of the globalization of its manufacturing sector, and yet the Japanese economy as a whole remains remarkably insular. If Japan is to dig itself out of its current deep economic crisis, the solution has to be further opening of the country and increased globalization. - YaleGlobal

Jacob Threatens Sony with Boycott Campaign

December 3, 2002
When a global firm makes decisions based on global needs, local interests can feel the pain. Thousands of Indonesians may lose their jobs if Japanese electronics giant Sony goes ahead with plans to close a factory in Indonesia. Indonesia's Manpower Minister, however, is threatening to organize a boycott of Sony products if the company can't offer "clear reasons" why it plans...

Government Spends Rupiah 3.5 Billion to Revive Bali Tourism

December 3, 2002
In the aftermath of the Bali bombing incident, the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism has set up a program to revitalize the nation’s ailing tourism. As part of the program, the Ministry has invested rupiah 3.5 billion on the production of video clips on Bali’s attractions. These clips are to be both locally and globally broadcasted during December. - YaleGlobal

PM: We Will Act Against Those Who Intrude into Our Country

Sim Leoi Leoi December 3, 2002
In the wake of the recent Bali bombing, the US-initiated global war on terrorism has taken unexpected turns in the Asia-Pacific region. Australia's Prime Minister, John Howard, is coming under fire from his Asian neighbors for following the lead of the US and asserting the right to unilateral action against terrorists anywhere. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is fuming at the...

PM's gaffe leaves a hostile Asian audience

Tom Allard December 3, 2002
The American enunciation of a doctrine of preemption brought muted criticism , perhaps because American power is unchallenged. A similar claim to the right to launch preemptive attack on neighbors if they harbored terrorists planning to attack Australia brought howls of criticism from Asian neighbors. There is a danger that Australia’s tough talk may harm its relations with neighbors without...