<a href=www.barbadosadvocate.com>The Barbados Advocate Web Posted - Sat Apr 05 2003

The late Mr. Gladstone Holder had a substantial disregard for the United Nations (UN). He regarded it as a creature of the Great Powers who had won the Second World War and who were determined that their supremacy won by the force of arms should be retained forever. The United States of America (US) and United Kingdom (UK) are the principal progenitors of the UN and they had invited the Soviet Union, France and China to share the dominant role.

He would have found the snub which the UN had suffered at the hands of the UK and US unsurprising. The Twins in Concert just would not be willing to play second fiddle to their creation. It had been difficult enough for the US to restrain itself during the days of the Cold War, but with the US as the only super-power there is no need for the US to be so inhibited.

Iraq was ripe for the picking, and it was plucked for the burning. The greatest difficulties would arise after the taming of Saddam Hussein. He would anticipate that within a matter of months the other members of the Great Five – Russia, China and France – would acquiesce in, if not legitimise and legitimate the invasion of Iraq. Their doubts about the legality of the action of the UK and US would be effectively shoved aside and the UN Security Council would move on to dealing with probably another neighbour of Iraq, or North Korea.

The Arabs’ responses to Iraq could, of course, be the fly in the ointment. The hope is that placating the Palestinians in their struggle against Israel should be enough to keep Arab and Muslim desires for retaliation and reprisal in check. A pragmatic approach to the breaching of customary international law and of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter which basically outlaws unilateral use of force will prevail.

Unsettling points

He would have raised a number of troubling issues. The US, for instance, appears to be pressing for unconditional surrender and unilaterally seizing the dominance after conquest. With the overthrow of the Government of Iraq, who would there be in Baghdad to relinquish control and upon whom would the power and control be conferred? It is a principle of international law, especially in respect of territory, that no one can give away what is not his. In 2003, as against in 1920, customary international law, the Charter and such treaties as the Renunciation of Force Treaty of 1928 conclusively state that territory cannot be acquired by use of force, except, perhaps by Security Council action or as a consequence of self-defence or self-determination. To provide a fig leaf of legality the US and the UK would at least have to hand over control to the United Nations immediately.

It is, of course, within the realm of possibility that a rump of the Baathist Party or a Nationalist Party of the same hue, may contest the sovereignty of Iraq, in the short run if not immediately. Given the commitment to régime change, the government of the US is unlikely to countenance such a development, whatever the commitment to democracy. Democracy, as interpreted, is unlikely to include anyone with the slightest Baathist taint. The US will probably not baulk at managing the affairs of Iraq single-handedly in the early days if to do otherwise would require Baathist assistance.

Mr. Holder would have reminded us that the US is experienced in dealing with post-violation trauma in Latin America over the last half-century: 1954: Intervention in Guatemala which ushered in 45 years of violence, repression and instability. 1961: Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba against a sovereign nation where government was recognised as legitimate by the international community. 1965: Invasion of Dominican Republic to prevent the rise of another Castro in the Caribbean. 1970-73: Intervention in Chile which overthrew the democratically-elected Communist Allende and established the Pinochet dictatorship. 1980s: Intervention in Nicaragua which was an internationally recognised government with which the US had diplomatic relations. The matter reached the International Court of Justice. The US was condemned after attempting unsuccessfully to evade the jurisdiction of the International Court. 1989: Christmas invasion of Panama ‘at the cost of hundreds of lives and millions of dollars in damage’.This last, the invasion of Panama and the seizure of President Noriega, drove a sword deeply into the heart of the Great Man.

Of course, for him, the hills never ceased to cry out over the disease and pain, suffering and death to which the children of Iraq were for years subjected, because of UN sanctions against Iraq, a policy which the UN is now hastening to remove! Thousands of children too late!

Pre-emptive strike Even if things go slightly awry for the US in Iraq, the UN will be effectively finessed. While the UN may find itself bogged down, it cannot allow the US and UK to stew in their own juice. The US and UK will not expose their act to the scrutiny of an impartial court or tribunal. The pre-emptive strike may be here to stay and may by default become a new norm of international law. Pakistan may revert to it for action against India; Colombia for action against Venezuela; Russia against any of its annoying neighbours or any belligerent African state against any of its own .... In the meantime, Iraq stands to be broken up, balkanised after further shedding of blood – never mind the several commitments to the territorial integrity by the United Kingdom.

Finally, if the region stabilises, eschewing terrorism, in half a century the Saddam Hussein Airport may be restored and Hussein made a national hero in a truncated Iraq.

Reuters, 03.31.03, 5:19 PM ET SAO PAULO, Brazil, March 31 (Reuters) - Brazilian stocks fell on Monday, tracking losses on Wall Street prompted by investor fears of a protracted U.S.-led war in Iraq, but the currency firmed on expiration of futures contracts, traders said. The real strengthened to 3.355 per dollar from Friday's close of 3.361, capping the biggest monthly retreat by the U.S. currency on the local market since August despite concerns the Iraq war would slow a global recovery and a worsening inflation outlook at home. But the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange's benchmark Bovespa <.BVSP> did not resist the Wall Street drag and closed 1.1 percent weaker at 11,273.6, although it rallied 9.7 percent in March and now stands level with where it began the year. "Almost all the stocks are down on the concerns about the war and people think the (U.S.) strategy was poor and the coalition has stopped because of lack of supplies. It could last longer than expected," said John Carioba, an asset manager at Indusval brokerage. On the Bovespa, the losers outweighed gainers by 42 to 12. Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica (Embraer) <EMBR4.SA> (nyse: ERJ - news - people), the world No. 4 civilian aircraft manufacturer, stood out with a 3.7 percent gain to 9.77 reais on hopes U.S. Airways Group Inc. <UAWGQ.OB> would emerge from bankruptcy and make an order for the Brazilian company's small and medium-sized jets. A spokesman for the airline said it planned to order 50 50-seat jets and 50 70-seat jets from Embraer or Canada's Bombardier <BBDd.TO>. The orders, which may be split between the manufacturers, would be very welcome news after a slump in the global aviation industry since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Steelmaker Usiminas <USIM5.SA> also firmed 2 percent to 9.16 reais after impressing the market with strong cash flow in its annual results even though its overseas debt dragged its bottom line into the red for the year, traders said. The real was boosted early as bulls outpaced bears in the usual end-month tussle for expiration of futures contracts, traders said. The real has firmed 5.6 percent this year. Traders said the markets would be focusing this week on a Congressional vote to amend article 192 of the constitution that deals with Central Bank autonomy as a test of the center-left government's ability to make good on its pledges to push through reforms. "If it doesn't pass it shows that this government does not have the power they claim to have and won't be able to pass any of their proposed reforms," Carioba said. The optimism of investors, particularly large overseas banks and brokerages, that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva can push through reforms has helped buoy the Bovespa and real this month despite high inflation. The Central Bank increased its forecast for inflation in 2003 to 10.8 percent in its quarterly inflation report from 9.5 percent in the last report after strong consumer prices in the first couple of months of the year. Traders said the market had already priced in such a move.

Reuters, 03.31.03, 2:10 PM ET BRASILIA, Brazil, March 31 (Reuters) - Brazil's center-left government is set to raise the monthly minimum salary to 240 reais ($72) from 200 reais, trade unionists said on Monday after meeting with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. "That is not an ideal value, but it is what was possible at this moment," said Paulo Pereira da Silva, head of the Forca Sindical union of industrial workers. "We are satisfied because we know that the government is committed to doubling the minimum salary in four years." The government has not yet announced how much it intends to raise the minimum salary, a process that normally takes place during April. Brazil's minimum wage is to a large extent symbolic in this country where millions of poor do not receive even the minimum wage. Its biggest impact tends to be on state workers and it also affects public coffers since many pensions are indexed to the minimum wage. Pereira and other unionists met with Lula on Monday to discuss the subject. As Lula's new government is the first in Brazil's history to be elected from a left-wing party, observers have speculated about the size of the annual hike this year. However, if the wage rises to 240 reais, a 20 percent increase, it would be above the inflation rate of 15.85 percent in the 12 months to February.

<a href=www.falkland-malvinas.com>Mercosur Monday, 31 March

Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sent a letter to the three partners of Mercosur, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, calling them to maintain unity, and convergence in trade negotiations. In exchange Brazil commits itself to eliminate trade barriers inside the block.

Prte. Lula da Silva Brazilian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Pinheiro Guimaraes delivered the letter to Argentine President Eduardo Duhalde, while Ambassadors in Asunción and Montevideo were instructed to hand deliver them to presidents Luis González Macchi and Jorge Batlle.

In the letter Mr. Lula da Silva stresses the importance that Mercosur retains “its unity in foreign relations” and “convergence” in the proposals presented in trade negotiations particularly regarding the US sponsored Free Trade of the Americas Association. He also commits Brazil to eliminate trade barriers within Mercosur and invites his counterparts to “an open national debate” about the creation of FTAA, with the participation of Congress, the private sector, trade unions and non government organizations.

President Lula’s letter follows recent criticism to Brazil for acquiring subsidized rice from outer region suppliers when there’s ample production in Mercosur and a sugar tariff dispute with Argentina.

Argentine Congress recently imposed a 20% tariff on Brazilian sugar arguing that the Pro-Alcohol program “grants exceptional production conditions to Brazilian farmers, unequal to those of Argentine farmers”.

Brazilian Congress is threatening with two retaliatory measures including ending a 10% additional tariff to non Mercosur wheat suppliers that favours Argentine exports.

However both Deputy Foreign Affaris Ministers, Martín Redrado from Argentina and Samuel Pinheiro Guimaraes argued that “we can’t build a project (Mercosur) of this importance through reprisals”, adding that Brazil was not thinking “for the moment” of presenting a claim before the World Trade Organization.

In the Brazilian Congress legislators are insisting in some kind of reprisal to this the first head on conflict with Argentina of the Lula da Silva administration.

“The Argentine Congress caved in to the Argentine sugar lobby, harming Mercosur and just when we need to unite and face Washington pressures regarding FTAA”, said Brazilian Deputy Antonio Mendes Thame co-sponsor of the reprisal bills.

“We ceased incentives to cane sugar for alcohol production in 1998; we only have a minimum alcohol transport compensation equation for the distribution to the 26,000 gasoline stations of the country. I recommend Argentina installs alcohol distilleries from sugar cane to mix with fuel, instead of playing with artificial tariffs”, underlined Mr. Mendes Thame.

But in spite of the squabbling and threats Argentina and Brazil decided the creation of the Mercosur Monetary Cooperation Institute to help converge and target a “homogeneous monetary policy” for the region.

“It’s the moment to advance monetary and exchange coordination. Differences in exchange rates only generate economic and trade problems between Mercosur members”, said Argentine delegate Martín Redrado.

Toward a "Tupiniquim" Path that Leads to Reality Narco News By Karine Muller Part III in a Series, reported from São Paulo March 30, 2003

"The valorization of consensus masks the conflict" - Dr. Davi Capistrano

MARCH 26, 2003; LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, SÃO PAULO, BRASIL: As the National Anti-Drug Secretary (SENAD, in its Portuguese initials), led by Colonel Paulo Roberto Ulchôa, in the national capital of Brasilia, presented a document last Wednesday in favor of maintaining the current drug policy, 130 health specialists, members of Congress, journalists and others interested in the issue met simultaneously in São Paulo, in a shadow meeting, to discuss the same issue from a distinct point of view.

Luís Inácio "Lula" da Silva, who assumed the presidency last January, is maintaining the structure and program of the anti-drug office, which the proponents of a new drug policy consider to be a grave error. "I am in favor of Lula's government but against his current drug policy," said Dr. Hevaldo Oliveira of the Northeastern state of Recife. "In a country where 80 percent of the population uses licit and illicit drugs, you can't have an 'anti' drug policy without a policy 'about' drugs," he said. According to the Congressman, the money is always spent on 'repression' of users and never on treatment.

The SENAD was created by the government of Fernando Henrique Cardoso in 1998 and was placed in the presidential cabinet. Its first secretary, a civilian and a judge from São Paulo, Walter Maierovitch, present at today's meeting, says the initial model for the national program completely mirrored that of the International Drug Convention of the United Nations in New York, of 1989. This document, at present, has not been repealed and has been imposed by the USA on many countries as a form of reducing the production and consumption of drugs. "In Colombia, the use of herbicides to reduce the planting of coca, for example, ends of killing other crops and harming the riverside dwelling populations of Ecuador," said Judge Maierovitch. He called it “chemical warfare,” noting that, "The USA says it is proud of having reduced the cultivation of the plant by 30 percent."

The judge revealed that not long ago, a United Nations meeting to audit drug enforcement was held in Brazil, according to him, so that the finger could be pointed at Brazil, in case the country was not complying with the UN Convention that guides the current anti-drug policy. Citing as an example of the wrongness of the 1989 convention, he said that it classifies marijuana at the same level as heroin.

He added that in spite of the alliance with the failed North American "war on drugs," Brazil should take a different route, opposing the US impositions through the Organization of American States (OAS) and to treat drug policy as a multilateral question.

The city of São Paulo formed the Municipal Council on Public Drug Policies, a name much more adequate than the "anti-drug" agency of the Cardoso government or that dealing with "stupefacient" of the previous Governor Geraldo Alckmin's state administration in São Paulo. And the states of São Paulo and Porto Alegre are incorporating harm reduction into their policies, which is gaining increased international support, according to Fábio Mesquita, a doctor in Public Health and vice president of the International Harm Reduction Association. The specialist said that the meeting in the Legislative Assembly is historic and runs against the national discussion in counterpoint to the policy promoted by Colonel Paulo Roberto Ulchôa a few days ago in Brasilia to Readpreserve the current drug policy.

“We should amplify this movement with a petition to promote a permanent debate. That is how we will gain more force," said Sandra Batista, the coordinator of Relat (the Latin American Harm Reduction Network).

The current coordination by the SENAD has demonstrated a total subordination to the North American policy of a "War on Drugs." It follows the orders of John Walters, the current North American drug czar, who increases penalties against drug users in the USA. And that is exactly why many of those who were present in São Paulo had been invited to the government’s meeting in Brasilia, but preferred to offer their position in resistance, and call the press to shine the light on their position, as more worthwhile than going to the halls of government power.

The psychotherapist Célia Szterenfeld, coordinator of this week's meeting in Rio de Janeiro, proposed a change in the current drug policy, authored by 35 representatives from 17 states formulated by their experience in each one. This document was very well received by all the representatives here in São Paulo, which demonstrates that there is a legitimate group in resistance, working together for the good of the public interest and not just their private interests.

The principle goal of this meeting in the Legislative Assembly was to create a resistance movement to the North American imposition and to demand that the Lula government create a new agency, under civilian control, under a different name than that of National Anti-Drug Secretary (SENAD). The next step, now, is to spark a discussion in Brazil so that it is not confined to the intellectual, political, or professional, circles, and the question is addressed by the entire population. It is time to popularize these ideas to foment a public consciousness that speaks for itself.

The terminology of "war" must definitively be extinguished. It is certain that the North Americans push this idea in their schools, using cops and soldiers who act like they protect the “children” from drugs, inciting them to fight against them. And from this comes the propaganda of drug war, of chemical warfare, of a war on terrorism, a war on Iraq… What this group wants is a drug policy that does not follow this path and instead follows our reality, that of the tupiniquim, the Brazilian, transparent, barefoot, and free of the conservative apparatus that sustains and creates more narco-trafficking mafias, that justifies repression against the user in order to perpetuate its own existence.