World Watch
The U.S. horse-trades; a grassroots war on French products By ROBIN BANERJI
THE ROAD TO WAR Horse Trading on Iraq When the Turkish parliament declined last week to let U.S. troops use Turkey's military bases in a war on Iraq, the decision came with a steep price. Turkey endangered billions of dollars in promised U.S. aid, a role in Iraq after the war — which angered the Iraqi opposition — and even a trade concession that would have had U.S. troops wearing Turkish textiles, breaking the Pentagon's long-standing "Buy American" policy. The U.S. still needs nine out of 15 votes to pass a new resolution in the U.N. Security Council, and member countries are lining up for perks:
Bulgaria One of the U.S.'s staunchest backers on Iraq has already received a nice thank-you. On a tour to tell Eastern Europe "how much we appreciate them" for their support, Commerce Secretary Donald Evans last week gave Bulgaria a special treat: the U.S. now officially considers the country a "market economy," opening a welcome mat to investors.
Guinea A crucial swing vote, the African nation and former French colony has received U.S. military training and support for the West African peacekeepers in charge of preventing rebel groups from crossing the borders. But that may not be enough to sway the country's ailing President, Lansana Conte.
Mexico President Vicente Fox wants Washington's help on a measure granting legal status to undocumented Mexicans working in the U.S. And the U.S. is a crucial trading partner, accounting for 80% of Mexico's exports. But antiwar sentiment in Mexico is high, which may weigh heavily.
Chile This council member has argued for giving more time to the U.N. inspectors. But it has a trade deal with Brie? Non, Merci! Are Americans really ready to give up their Dior gowns to protest French policy on Iraq? The answer mostly seems to be non. Women's Wear Daily reports no drop-off in sales of luxury French designers like Chanel at New York City department stores. The town of Paris, Texas, which proudly displays its French connection, left, says it hasn't seen any backlash. And IHOP says anti-French fervor has not hurt its new breakfast menu item, Stuffed French Toast. "French toast really has nothing to do with France," notes an IHOP spokesman. "This has been our most successful new product." But what about other French fare? — By Harriet Barovick Freedom Fries Cubbies, a restaurant in Beaufort, North Carolina, has dropped the French from its fries, and French salad dressing is now "liberty" dressing francestinks.com This week the website, whose raison d'être is to punish countries labeled part of the "Axis of Weasels," will launch a campaign urging Americans to dump their French wines and champagnes aux toilettes French Wine Pennsylvania, state representative Stephen Barrar suggested barring sales of French wines. But top New York City wine seller Sherry-Lehmann says French bottles are selling well French Cheese Some restaurants have put their Bries and Camemberts on the back of the shelf. High-end cheese seller Fromages.com reports a 15% decline in sales to the U.S. in recent weeks Washington that needs congressional approval.
Angola Recovering from a long civil war, it wants U.S. help in finding donors to rebuild. But two can play this game: France is promising a home in exile for Angola's President. — By Marguerite Michaels and Karen Tumulty
BRITAIN Kicking The Anthill British authorities filed charges of conspiracy to produce a chemical weapon against a group of Islamists arrested during the past four months, including Rabah Kadre, an Algerian apprehended in November amid media reports that he planned a cyanide attack on the London Underground — a plot denied by the British government. Continental police services suspect Kadre of having directed al-Qaeda's European networks. The case of Abu Hamza is trickier. The fiery imam, a naturalized British citizen and outspoken supporter of jihad against the West who formerly preached at London's Finsbury Park mosque, may risk losing his British passport under an impending law allowing revocation of citizenship where there is dual nationality for acts "seriously prejudicial to the vital interests of Britain." In Spain, 16 North Africans arrested in January on a tip from French officials may soon be released. The men were found in possession of false identity documents and chemical substances that might be intended for use in terror attacks. Those substances turned out to be cleaning solvents. The Spanish operation was still a valuable "kick to the anthill," says one French terror official, which provided "new information on how Barcelona has become the point of passage for jihadists moving between Europe and Chechnya." — By Bruce Crumley/Paris
THE NETHERLANDS Crime, Punishment The international war-crimes tribunal in the Hague sentenced former Bosnian Serb President Biljana Plavsic, 72, to 11 years in jail for aiding the persecution of Catholics and Muslims during the 1990s. Plavsic's age, contrition and cooperation with the court all helped to reduce her sentence. Meanwhile, ultranationalist Serb Vojislav Seselj handed himself in to the court but ridiculed its proceedings and refused to enter a plea. He is accused of inciting racial hatred and forming a militia that committed atrocities from 1991 to 1993.
AUSTRIA Facing the Past Austrian Jews had to pay for their own deportation to Nazi death camps, according to a report commissioned by the government. The 14,000-page document details how thousands of Austrians stole homes, businesses and personal items from their Jewish neighbors, who later died in concentration camps. Turkey Not Welcome Yet In a blow to U.S. war plans, Turkey's parliament rejected a bill that would have allowed 62,000 U.S. troops to deploy to Turkish bases. More M.P.s voted for the bill than against, but a number of abstentions meant that it fell short of a majority. The vote signaled rebellion in the ranks of the ruling pro- Islamic Justice and Development Party, despite pressure from its leaders to agree to U.S. deployment in exchange for $30 billion in loans and grants. More than 90% of Turks oppose war, fearing it will cripple the economy and cause chaos on Turkish borders.
ISRAEL Tough Decision Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced his new coalition and cabinet, with rival Benjamin Netanyahu agreeing to a demotion from Foreign Minister to Finance Minister. Netanyahu's first task will be to cope with an economy still reeling from the effects of the intifadeh. But peace seems a distant prospect. Sharon's new coalition, which contains the ultra-right National Union Party, sees no reason to make land concessions to the Palestinians.
PAKISTAN Target: U.S. A gunman wounded a policeman guarding the U.S. consulate in Karachi, took his submachine gun and opened fire. Two policemen were killed, and six people, including one civilian, were wounded before the assailant was arrested.
NORTH KOREA Congratulations As South Korea marked the inauguration of President Roh Moo Hyun, its northern neighbor was not in a celebratory mood. First, it test-fired a long-range missile into the Sea of Japan. Then it restarted its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon. Some analysts read the moves as attempts to pressure the U.S. into direct talks. But there's also growing consensus that the nuclear program may be more than a bargaining chip — the regime seems to have decided that nukes will ensure survival.
VENEZUELA Explosive Charges Bombs damaged Spain's embassy and Colombia's consulate in Caracas, just 48 hours after President Hugo Chávez criticized the countries for meddling in Venezuelan affairs. Officials denied any connection with Chávez's remarks. Meanwhile, a judge cracked down on those who allegedly helped organize a general strike, ordering the arrests of seven ex-managers in the state-owned oil company.
FOR THE RECORD Cairo Some 100,000 Egyptians rallied against U.S. war plans. The rare, government-sanctioned protest was the biggest in the Arab world outside Iraq.
Xinjiang A powerful earthquake killed at least 268 people, injured more than 4,000 and reduced 10,000 homes to rubble in China's far west.
Lagos Commerce in Nigeria came to a standstill as severe fuel shortages crippled the oil-rich country. Officials blamed an oil workers' strike, soaring prices and panic buying.
Washington, D.C. The U.S. House of Representatives voted to ban human cloning, but the bill could stall in the Senate because it lacks exceptions for research.
Outer Space After 31 years the Pioneer 10 spacecraft, below, one of NASA's most successful missions, fell silent, an estimated 12.2 billion km from Earth.
MEANWHILE Stars in Our Eyes Scientists have finally managed to capture some of the stuff Hoagy Carmichael sang about and after which David Bowie named one of his most compelling personas. Stardust was scooped up by NASA aircraft flying at an altitude of 20 km and spotted with state-of-the-art microscopes. All matter in the universe can be traced to the elements forged in stars. Now scientists must reveal whether stardust actually twinkles.