In The News

Latin American Countries Skeptical of U.S. Trade Agreement

Edmund L. Andrews November 1, 2002
In an effort to rouse support for a pan-American free-trade agreement, President Bush expanded the number of products that Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia could export to the United States without paying tariffs. In addition, 140 million dollars would be given by the United States to defray the costs of administering any pan-American trade deal. However, most Latin American countries are...

The Arab World Must Participate in Global Affairs and Not Follow

Najla Al Rostamani November 1, 2002
The first conference hosted by the Arab Thought Institute, a new pan-Arab organization founded by a Saudi prince, emphasized both greater intra-regional communication and increased Arab participation in international arenas. Despite the departure of European colonial powers, the West is seen by many Arabs as a constant oppressor of national freedoms. Noting that while some have characterized...

Arab Perspective: The Chechen Issue That Cries for Solution

Huda Fawzi November 1, 2002
This collection of editorial comments from Arab media argues that although the perpetrators of the Moscow theater hostage crisis identify themselves with Muslim groups, their actions are contrary to Islamic teachings and are utterly unacceptable to humanity. The inability to distinguish individual contention towards a government from one towards a people prevents terrorists from realizing that...

Why Should We Do More to Cut Greenhouse Gases?

P. Sunderarajan October 31, 2002
At the start of a UN conference on climate change in New Delhi, the Indian government is taking offense at the suggestion that India and other so-called developing nations should further decrease their greenhouse gases emissions. Developed nations have called for an increase in developing nations' commitment to gas reduction. Prime Minister Vajpayee calls this proposed standard “...

Kuala Lumpur Chinese Parties Okay Use of English in Schools

October 31, 2002
Mother-tongue education has long been a priority for people of Chinese descent in Malaysia. A minority in the country, Chinese Malays are also a major player in the ruling coalition government. After several months of wrangling, Chinese political leaders have agreed to allow maths and science to be taught in English at Chinese-language primary schools, but only part-time. Once students move to...

Moscow Hostage Crisis Repercussions Felt Across Caucasus and Central Asia

October 31, 2002
The hostage crisis in Moscow has prompted neighboring countries to individually convene in security councils addressing the same issue of counterterrorism. Domestic decisions will have potential to determine the stability of cross national relations. While Azerbaijan has immediately closed its Chechen cultural center in an attempt to reduce tensions with Russia, for example, Georgia’s reluctance...

Muslim-as-Apple-Pie Videos Are Greeted With Skepticism

Jane Perlez October 30, 2002
Four new videos showing American Muslims feeling happy and at home in the US are being pre-screened in Indonesia. The videos, paid for by the US State Department, feature a baker, a teacher, an emergency medic, and the head of the US National Institutes for Health, all offering glowing testimonials to American tolerance and acceptance of Muslims. The spots are intended to be shown in Muslim...