washingtontimes.com March 19, 2003 • Combined dispatches and staff reports

     King says troops won't participate      RIYADH — Saudi Arabia will not participate "under any circumstances" in a war against Iraq, King Fahd said in a statement yesterday.      The statement, read by Crown Prince Abdullah on Saudi television, said Saudi armed forces would not enter "one inch" of Iraqi territories.      However, the king did not say whether U.S. forces would use Saudi Arabia as a base for an attack.            YEMEN      Disgruntled oil worker kills American boss      SAN'A — A Yemeni man shot four oil company co-workers yesterday — killing an American, a Canadian and a Yemeni — before fatally shooting himself, the Interior Ministry said.      A second Canadian was wounded.      The assailant might have suffered from depression, and witnesses reported that during the attack he yelled he was taking revenge "against those who were filing reports about him," a ministry statement said.      The attack occurred in an oil field in the oil-rich northern province of Marib, about 100 miles northeast of the Yemeni capital, San'a, a ministry statement said.            CUBA      Havana arrests dozens,      sees 'conspiracy'      HAVANA — Cuba has arrested "several dozen people" accused of involvement in a "conspiracy" led by James Cason, the head of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, the government said yesterday.      The Cuban government has imposed travel restrictions on Mr. Cason to limit his movements on the island, the communist government said in a statement.      "Several dozen people, tied directly to conspiratorial acts carried out by Mr. Cason, have been arrested by the relevant authorities and will be brought to justice," said the statement.            VENEZUELA      Former oil chiefs emerge from hiding      CARACAS — Seven former oil executives emerged from weeks of hiding yesterday after a judge struck down warrants for their arrest on charges stemming from a two-month strike that sought President Hugo Chavez's ouster.      The executives hugged one another in front of the Caracas offices of the state oil monopoly, Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. Hundreds of supporters cheered and waved flags.      The seven were accused of interrupting and damaging the country's fuel supply.            JAPAN      Negotiators preserve Sri Lanka peace      HAKONE — Peace negotiators yesterday settled a dispute about a deadly clash at sea that threatened to derail efforts to end Sri Lanka's 19-year-old civil war, a government official said.      Negotiators meeting in this town in the foothills of Mount Fuji spent nearly four hours discussing the sinking of a rebel ship by the Sri Lankan navy, other violations of a cease-fire and improved security for minority Tamils in the northern part of the small island-nation in the Indian Ocean.      Peace talks began in September after the Norwegians brokered a cease-fire in February 2002.            CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC      Gangs loot, pillage after rebel takeover      BANGUI — Armed gangs roamed the capital of the Central African Republic yesterday, pillaging homes and looting shops just days after rebels occupied the city.      Former army Gen. Francois Bozize, who declared himself president after the takeover, said his forces were not involved in the destruction.      Gen. Bozize has installed himself in the city's presidential palace.      His troops captured Bangui after an assault Saturday while President Ange-Felix Patasse was visiting Niger.

www.falkland-malvinas.com Mercosur Wednesday, 19 March

Mercosur requested a considerable increase in the European Union access offer to agriculture markets during the ninth round of talks in the framework of the bi-regional association agreement currently being held in Brussels, Belgium. “We believe the EU offer is still insufficient and it does not satisfy our expectations”, said Rigoberto Gauto, Paraguay’s Economy and Integration Minister, who heads the team of Mercosur negotiators. “We expect a considerable EU opening involving those areas where we are most interested such as farming and agro-business. We know that agriculture is a sensitive issue for the EU but so is car manufacturing for Mercosur”, indicated Mr. Gauto whose country holds the customs union six month chair. Argentine negotiator Martín Redrado said that Mercosur didn’t come to Brussels to change Europe’s Common Agriculture Policy, CAP, “but we’re interested in market access and in those products most sensitive, we’re willing to discuss quotas, or a system that does not harm PAC or European farmers”. However Mr. Redrado pointed out that Europe “still has to sit down and negotiate that 10% where Mercosur is most competitive, and that so far they seem unwilling to address”. Mercosur is pressing EU for a greater transparency and simplification of quasi-trade barriers such as ad valorem tariffs and other bureaucratic procedures that impede, slow or discourage imports. The IXth round of negotiations is scheduled to end this Friday. The Mercosur-European Association agreement includes the creation of a free trade area.

Fed keeps rates unchanged United States Federal Reserve kept this Tuesday the basic interest rate unchanged at the 41 year low of 1,25%. But it also indicated it would heighten surveillance of the Iraq situation adding it was ready to cut rates if the war had an impact in the economy. Breaking with tradition and emphasizing the seriousness of the situation, the Federal Open Markets Committee, FOMC, failed to issue an assessment of the risks facing the United States economy. The Fed said it could not usefully characterize the current situation given the uncertainties that abound, stressing that it would withhold any economic risk assessment until after some of the “unusually large uncertainties facing it abate”. Seventeen of the twenty two major companies that trade directly with Fed bonds in Wall Street had anticipated that FOMC would decide to keep the basic rate unchanged at 1,25%. “Monetary policy actually is very flexible and the Fed is keeping all its options open, waiting to see how the conflict evolves”, commented Gary Thayer from A.G. Edwards and Sons Inc. The Fed’s message suggests that it is poised to cut rates without waiting for its regular monthly meeting if the war hits the economy hard. The funds rate is the interest banks charge each other on overnight loans and is the Federal Reserve main tool to influence economic activity. However Federal Reserve policymakers stressed that the underlying health of the US economy is strong and blamed the slowing down to higher energy prices and war fears. Last week the US Labour Department reported that unemployment had reached 5,8%. FOMC is scheduled to meet again next May 6th. Wall Street brokers believe the Fed could appeal to other instruments to reactivate the US and world economy such as purchasing back Treasury bonds and injecting liquidity to markets. Latinamerica condemns war and demands disarmament All Mercosur members and most of Latinamerican countries are against military action in action and in spite of US President George Bush 48 hours ultimatum to Iraq, the region still expects a diplomatic solution to the confrontation including the full disarmament of the Baghdad regime. Colombia and Bolivia are the only two countries that support the US decision arguing that the diplomatic process can’t be kept indefinitely and because United Nations resolutions must be enforced. However they agree that all paths must be exhausted to avoid war. Mexico and Chile, non permanent members of the Security Council reacted to the ultimatum demanding recognition of the letter and spirit of the UN chart and regretting that “we have been unable in the Security Council to find a solution”. In a rare intervention British Primer Minister Tony Blair praised in Parliament Chilean president Ricardo Lagos constructive efforts to muster a consensus in the Security Council, that apparently was quiet close to be achieved. In Buenos Aires Chief cabinet minister Alfredo Atanasof met with French Ambassador Paul Dijou and revealed “permanent contacts” with Mercosur and Rio Group members to subscribe a joint Latinamerican declaration in the coming 48 hours. Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva talked to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and other world leaders “trying to find a solution that could avoid the military conflict” said a presidential advisor in Brasilia. Venezuela and Ecuador ratified their unconditional commitment to International Law and a peaceful solution to the Iraq conflict, adding that they only recognize Security Council resolutions. Colombia in an official release supported the American-British-Spanish “Azores Declaration”, but Foreign Secretary Carolina Barco said that “Baghdad still has time to completely comply with UN Resolution 1441 demanding full disarmament”. Bolivian Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Saavedra stressed that “dialogue can’t go on indefinitely otherwise no one will take the United Nations seriously”. In Spain, the country’s main newspapers underlined the contrast between Mr. José Aznar who aligned the country behind Washington and London, and the Mexican and Chilean Presidents stances, resisting United States pressures, and even presenting a compromise solution.  

Mercosur Wednesday, 19 March Latinamerica condemns war and demands disarmament

Mercosur Tuesday, 18 March IMF after tax and pension reforms

Mercosur Tuesday, 18 March Hot News

Mercosur Monday, 17 March Our Iraq position won't bring reprisals from U.S.

Mercosur Monday, 17 March Encouraging prospects in Argentina Atomization and an end to bipartisanism?

Mercosur Monday, 17 March Breaking News

www.nationmultimedia.com Published on Mar 19, 2003

Thailand has adopted a wait-and-see position after US President George W Bush gave Saddam Hussein two days to flee Iraq or face a US-led invasion.

"Our position at this time is to take the 48 hours and wait and see. I have told the Foreign Ministry to co-ordinate with other Asean members," Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday.

The premier said he didn't think Asean would put forward a common position because the grouping includes a number of Muslim countries opposed to the war.

Thaksin reiterated his position that the Iraq crisis was not a religious clash because Baghdad had previously sent its troops into invade Kuwait, also a Muslim country.

The government's priority was to take precautionary measures and ensure that Thailand is not a target for any possible attack, he said.

"The economy is likely to slow down but the Cabinet will meet and discuss possible measures to ensure stability," Thaksin said. To ease economic repercussions, he said the government would continue to subsidise petrol prices and launch a campaign to save energy.

Thaksin said Thai nationals who chose to remain in Iraq would be urged to take refuge at the Thai Embassy in Baghdad. However, he noted that the mission had been administered by local staff since its evacuation and that it is close to Saddam's house, so it could pose a problem for anybody who resides there.

Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who handles security affairs, said many countries had tried their utmost to point out to the US the repercussions of war on innocent people.

"It seems, however, that the US has less consideration for other issues than its own national interest," said Chavalit.

He added that many people believe the US has overreacted, given that the Security Council did not vote on the last UN resolution on Iraq.

He said that the US attack would mainly hit the Thai economy in the export sector. Thailand would, however, need to look for ways to "reap the most benefits from the current situation".

Chavalit denied reports that the US had asked to use military bases in Thailand.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Sihasak Phuangketkeow said that the ministry is still hopeful that the UN will find a last-minute diplomatic resolution to the Iraq crisis within the 48-hour period set by Washington.

THAI REACTION: PM opts to wait and see

Thailand adopted a wait-and-see position today after US President George W Bush gave Saddam Hussein two days to flee Iraq or face a US-led invasion.

"Our position at this time is to take the 48 hours and wait and see. I have told the Foreign Ministry to co-ordinate with other Asean members," Thaksin said.

The premier said he didn't think Asean would come up with a common position because the grouping "has a number of Muslim countries opposed to the war". Thaksin reiterated his position that the Iraq crisis was not a religious clash because Baghdad had previously sent its troops into Kuwait, also a Muslim country.

Thaksin said it was his government's utmost concern to take precautionary measures and ensure that Thailand is not a target of any possible attack.

"The economy might slow down but the Cabinet will meet and discuss possible measures to ensure stability," Thaksin said, adding that his policy of subsidising petrol prices would continue for the time being.

Thaksin said Thai nationals who chose to remain in Iraq would be urged to take refuge at the Thai Embassy in Baghdad.

However, that fact that the embassy, which has been evacuated and left under the administration of local staff, is close to Saddam's house could pose a problem for anybody who resides there, he said.

Readers with relatives in Iraq can keep up on the latest developments there by contacting the following numbers:

Foreign Ministry l24-hour call centre on the Iraqi situation Telephone (02) 643 5262, (02) 643 5096-9 or (02) 643 5256 Fax (02) 643 5259 lQueries about Thai labourers in Iraq and other Middle East countries Telephone (02) 575 1047-9

Labour and Social Welfare Ministry l24-hour hotline 1694 or 1695 lHelp Centre for Labourers Telephone (02) 354 1726 or (02) 354 1728

Oil austerity

With a US-led war against Iraq looming, the government yesterday introduced a series of mandatory measures aimed at cutting oil and energy consumption.

The measures were launched after world oil prices collapsed by 10 per cent yesterday as Washington's ultimatum to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to quit Baghdad or face war eased uncertainty.

Energy Minister Prommin Lertsuridej yesterday unveiled the following measures approved by the Cabinet at its weekly meeting:

lCutting energy and electricity consumption in fiscal 2003 by 10 per cent.

lRaising public awareness with a booklet on energy-saving highlighting measures such as reducing the use of elevators and keeping air-conditioners at 25 degrees Celsius.

lEducating government agencies on energy-saving.

lTurning off lights in government buildings at night, except police stations and hospitals.

lPromoting energy saving in government vehicles, such as annual inspections and maximum driving speeds of 90 kilometres per hour.

The Energy Ministry will also encourage the public and the private sector to save energy and oil by cutting consumption by 10 per cent if a war erupts, Prommin said yesterday.

He said the country's emergency oil supply was enough for more than 60 days.

Energy expert warns of threat to oil supplies

World oil prices could shoot up to as high as US$60 a barrel, translating into a damaging local price of Bt30 a litre, if a US-led war cannot be limited to Iraq, Piyasvasti Amranand, former secretary general of the National Energy Policy Office, said yesterday.

Piyasvasti drew up a worst-case scenario as the clock ticked towards an almost certain war in Iraq, following an ultimatum from US President George W Bush on Monday which gave Iraqi president Saddam Hussein 48 hours to flee his country or face an US-led invasion.

However, he said the immediate trend for global oil prices would be down, provided that a war in Iraq was limited.

Piyasvasti said prices of oil would not fall as fast as they had during the first Gulf War in 1991, due to a number of factors. Unlike in the Gulf War, he said, current high oil prices stem not only from the prospect of war in Iraq but also from a reduction of production capacity in Venezuela.

"Also, unlike in 1991, when other oil-producing countries were capable of compensating for the two-million-barrel-a-day supply disruption from Iraq and Kuwait, Opec's capacity to increase production is now more limited," he said.

The worst-case scenario would be if the war spread to other oil-producing countries in the Middle East, resulting in attacks on oil wells in countries such as Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, said Piyasvasti.

"This would badly disrupt oil supplies and prices for a long period, perhaps pushing the price of crude even higher than US$60 a barrel," he said.

Crude oil currently stands at US$30-35 a barrel. Local premium petrol is priced at Bt20 a litre before subsidy and Bt16.99 after subsidy.

Based on current world oil prices, the government's Bt6 billion subsidy loan will be depleted by the end of this month, Piyasvasti said.

LIVING AT GROUND ZERO: 25 students still in Iraq

The Foreign Affairs Ministry is trying to persuade 25 Thai students to leave Iraq. The students at Saddam University are safe, "but we are still encouraging them to leave Iraq at the earliest opportunity," ministry spokesman Sihasak Puangketkaew said yesterday.

Meanwhile two ministries have earmarked a combined Bt103.6 million for the evacuation of Thais from the Middle East, Labour Minister Suwat Liptapanlop said yesterday.

"My assistant, Prapass Limprabhand, will depart for the Middle East tomorrow at the head of a team in charge of evacuations," he said, adding that his adviser, Wichit Yaembunruang, and other senior officials would be on the team.

Prapass will monitor the evacuation of Thai workers from Kuwait and Bahrain and give regular progress reports to the Labour Ministry, Suwat said.

"I think evacuations may be necessary from Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia," he said. Authorities are cooperating closely to prepare for evacuation by air, land and sea.

"If war erupts, we will evacuate Thai citizens immediately," he said.

Labour Permanent Secretary Apai Chandanachulaka said Army and commercial aircraft were on standby. Of the 54,200 Thais in the Middle East, 4,000 have said they want to return home.

"We're ready to bring them home, and we are also looking for employment opportunities for those who return," he said.

Evacuees will undergo medical examinations before being sent back to their home provinces, where they will be given vocational training and help finding work, he said.

Workers enrolled in a state fund for Thais employed overseas will get Bt10,000 compensation each, others Bt2,000.

However, at least three citizens do not wish to return, a Foreign Ministry source said. "One couple said they could take care of themselves, while another person refused to come back because of pending legal action in Thailand."

The source said all 1,238 Thais working in Kuwait said they wanted to wait and see how the US-Iraq situation developed before making any decision to return home. "This is due to contract obligations with their employers in Kuwait," the source said.

Of about 30 Thai students in Kuwait all say they want to return home.

In Israel, 2,000 Thais in urban areas have been moved to southern parts of the country, while 24,000 in rural areas are considered safe, the source said.

Southeast Asia divided, but alert

Southeast Asia yesterday went on high alert against reprisal attacks by Muslim militants as the United States girded for war against Iraq.

In Bangkok, agencies stepped up security at the British and American embassies as well as other possible targets, while Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra refused to comment on US President George W Bush's demand that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein leave Baghdad within 48 hours or face attack.

Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, speaking shortly after Bush's televised ultimatum, urged national unity to safeguard the country.

Manila is a stalwart ally of Washington in the global war against terrorism and has benefited from US training and equipment as its troops battle Islamic and communist rebel groups.

"We must be proactive against collateral terrorist attacks," she said in a radio broadcast.

As Bush spoke on television, a dozen protesters shouting "US imperialists" tried to reach the gates of the heavily fortified US embassy in Manila, but they were clubbed back by riot police.

Arroyo was due to convene the National Security Council yesterday as troops and police stepped up patrols at airports, railway stations, embassies, oil depots and shopping malls.

Police called a meeting of diplomats to discuss security.

Military and police officials have said they were concerned that Muslim rebels fighting for a homeland in the south of the mainly Roman Catholic country may bring their war to Manila, the capital and home to 12 million people, if the United States attacks Iraq.

Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation, said that a US attack on Iraq would be illegal without the consent of the United Nations.

"We are concerned that the US is creating the impression that diplomatic efforts have failed and the only sure thing is war," foreign ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa said after Bush's address.

"Obviously, we consider any steps taken without the consent of the UN Security Council as having no legality," Natalegawa said.

"Diplomatic efforts through the United Nations must be exhausted so that the Iraqi crisis can be solved peacefully."

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has tightened security at embassies in Phnom Penh and ordered protection for Westerners amid the threat of an imminent US-led war in Iraq.

Speaking at a temple inauguration ceremony late on Monday, Hun Sen said Saddam's threat to attack US interests abroad meant that "they might cause an explosion here and there".

"I have issued an order to the armed forces and authorities at all levels to take all measures to protect all foreigners currently staying on Cambodian soil," Hun Sen said.

"In Phnom Penh, additional security forces have been deployed since last night to protect all embassies.

"If the war takes place, the Cambodian people must maintain calm. No matter what, this war is still far away from us."

He said tourists were visiting Cambodia in ever-increasing numbers and as a result, "we must regard safety for all foreigners as the security of Cambodia".

Embassies' security tightened

Thailand heightened security yesterday around the embassies and interests of countries involved in the Iraqi crisis, and increased immigration surveillance amid global fears of retaliatory terrorist attacks.

"We are not siding with either camp. We are simply giving unconditional and non-partisan protection to the interests of parties involved in the conflict," said police chief Sant Sarutanond.

Sant added that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had given him specific orders to protect embassies, key diplomatic figures and other foreign interests. The police have been in "around-the-clock" contact with international police agencies regarding security matters, Sant said.

In particular, the embassies of countries directly involved in the military stand-off are being closely guarded, he said, adding that additional protection would also be provided based on individual requests.

Deputy police chief Thawatchai Pailee said Immigration Police had been instructed to keep a close watch on certain types of tourists during their stay in Thailand.

Surayud Chulanont, supreme commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, gave assurances that Thai authorities were on guard against all possible kinds of terrorist attacks, including those involving chemical weapons.

"Measures have been imposed on sensitive materials and intelligence officers have been working closely with our international friends."

The Royal Thai Navy declared it was prepared to protect oil depots if requested, while the Royal Thai Air Force said it too was prepared to counter the terrorist threat.

Bangkok Metropolitan Police held a special meeting yesterday evening to discuss security arrangements for the city.

Meanwhile, more than two dozen Thai students remain in Iraq. Surayud said Thailand was ready to effect their prompt evacuation as soon as they are ready to leave the country.

Agency sees war lasting 2 to 9 weeks

The government agency in charge of coordinating intelligence reports told the Cabinet yesterday that the expected US attack on Iraq would last for at least two weeks but no longer than two months.

Government spokesman Sita Divari said the intelligence coordination centre believed the attack would definitely take place as Saddam Hussein would not agree to step down.

Sita quoted the centre, which coordinates intelligence reports from the National Intelligence Agency, Special Branch Police and the Army's National Security Centre, as reporting to the Cabinet that all embassies in Baghdad had ceased operations.

Sita said the Cabinet was also informed that the US government had asked for map coordinates of the locations of all embassies to avoid hitting them with missiles during the war.

A Government House source said the intelligence coordination centre had based its assessment on information from the US Central Intelligence Agency.

The intelligence coordination centre estimated that oil prices would increase sharply when the attack begins but would gradually fall during the latter stages of the conflict.

The centre expected oil prices to fall back below their current levels one or two months after the attack concludes.

Inspectors set to fly home

The three Thai military officers who are part of the UN weapons-inspection team in Iraq are preparing to leave the country following an order from the UN Secretary Council, Armed Forces Supreme Commander General Surayudh Chulanont said yesterday.

Colonel MC Chalermsuk Yukhon, Group-Captain Mongkol Sukhonthaweha and Squadron-Leader Yongyut Sungsuman are believed to have left the site for a safer place, and the Foreign Ministry is attempting to locate them.

A further six Thai soldiers who belong to a UN unit called "Unicom" are involved in monitoring the Iraqi-Kuwaiti border. The group is still operating and is expected to complete its task in June.

IRAQ WAR: US trade ties temper Asean line

Southeast Asian countries yesterday trod a delicate path to maintain ties with major trading partner the United States following President George W Bush's "exile or else" ultimatum to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

The region's position was further complicated by growing concern over Islamic militants and the impact of oil prices, said Ong Keng Yong, secretary-general of the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean).

Speaking to reporters at the beginning of the Asean foreign ministers' retreat, Ong said most of Southeast Asia's 500 million people opposed disarming Baghdad by force, saying it would be "suicidal" for politicians to explicitly back the United States.

"You cannot expect an Asean country to come out openly to say 'I support America'," Ong told reporters in Malaysia's Sabah state at the beginning of the two-day retreat in Borneo.

Foreign ministers of the regional grouping planned to exchange views and hoped to reach common agreement on the Iraqi crisis, said Kitti Wasinondh, director the Thai Foreign Ministry's Asean Department.

Thailand wants the group to express a collective reaction and help each other minimise the negative impacts of a war, he said.

But obtaining a common position will be difficult, with Singapore and the Philippines publicly announcing that they support the US move to bypass the UN Security Council to disarm Saddam's regime by force.

Singapore and the Philippines, whose economic and strategic interests are closely tied to the US, have refused to yield to a majority view, which goes against the traditionally consensus approach of Asean.

Thailand, a key US ally in the region and one of five Southeast Asian countries that has a defence pact with Washington, has taken a wait-and-see approach.

Other members, led by Muslim-majority Malaysia, said any attack on Iraq had to have the blessing of the UN Security Council.

The tension in the Middle East has forced a couple of Asean ministers to either delay or cancel the trip.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Blas Ople skipped the meeting due to the tension in the Middle East, where over a million Filipinos are working, according to an Asean official.

Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai delayed his flight to the Asean retreat to call an urgent meeting at the ministry yesterday to prepare for the possible attack.

Besides the Iraq crisis, Asean ministers are looking to the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) to play a role in solving the North Korean stand-off.

Thailand has suggested that the ARF play a direct role, but the idea was shot down by both the US, an ARF member, and North Korea because Pyongyang wants bilateral discussions with Washington.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee The Nation, KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA

www.upi.com From the International Desk Published 3/17/2003 11:50 AM View printer-friendly version

-0- So Osama bin Laden has been in the Western Hemisphere. He met the Arab community in Brazil's town of Foz do Iguacu during a brief visit in 1995, according to Brazil's news Veja, which cites intelligence sources but that a video film of bin Laden's visit exists. Bin Laden also attended a series of meeting at a local mosque, having entered Brazil from Argentina. And al-Qaida's operations chief Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, arrested two weeks ago in Pakistan, also visited the region the same year. The semi-lawless tri-state region where Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina meet, a haven for money laundering, has been attracting counter-terrorist officials for months. Gen. James Hill, in charge of U.S. Southern Command (whose remit includes Latin America), claims that Islamic groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas and Egypt's Al-Gamaa al-Islamiyah get up to $500 million a year from criminal networks spread across Latin America, particularly the tri-border region and Margarita Island off Venezuela. The U.S. State Department describes the region as a "focal point for Islamic extremism in Latin America."

-0- Chaos at the United Nations, because the usual small consultation room off the formal Security Council chamber is closed this week for renovation. So they scheduled closed-door consultations for Conference Room 7 in the first basement. But it couldn't handle the mass of media so they decided to move consultations to the formal chamber. U.N. staffs hate this because it forces them to close broadcast booths overlooking the chamber -- for fear of lip-reading reporters.

-0- It looks like business as usual between the United States and the European Union, despite American anger at the French and Germans. With U.S. backing, NATO and the EU signed Friday a security pact that provides for the exchange of classified and secret information between the alliance and the EU's new military staff. This precedes the expected handover on April 1 of responsibility from NATO to the EU for Operation Allied Harmony in Macedonia. It will be the EU's first military mission, symbolically important despite the delays in organizing the vaunted Rapid Reaction Force of 60,000 EU troops. The Macedonian mission is more manageable, requiring only 300.

-0- Refitting useful military equipment past its prime is a valuable and cost-effective exercise for many militaries, as evidenced by America's continuing to field U-2s and B-52s decades after their introduction into service. In a surreal development unthinkable a decade ago, America's closest Middle East ally Israel is angling for a lucrative contract to upgrade thousands of Russian army T-72 tanks and armored personnel carriers with Israeli combat and electronics systems. Israel Military Industries chairman, retired Gen. Arie Mizrachi has had talks with Ilya Klebanov, the Russian Federation minister of Industry, Science and Technology, in charge of Russia's military-industrial complex. Mizrachi observed that Russian weapons systems lack advanced Western technology, and said, "We think that a country like Russia, which has 10 percent growth a year, needs to operate a high-tech army. We've been looking for new markets, and in addition to upgrading tanks and armored vehicles, we're offering to provide Russia with our advanced artillery and rocket technologies." IMI is thinking big, and not ruling out providing sophisticated Israeli-Russian systems to other clients in the future. IMI is already working on a $670 million project to upgrade Turkish Army M-60 tanks. The project is the world's largest tank improvement project, and may be expanded to several billion dollars.

-0- The Raelian cult, now operating in Israel, claims to have received 55 applications from Palestinian and Israeli parents, asking that their children -- killed during the intifada -- be cloned. The Raelians' star scientist, Dr. Brigitte Boisselier, flew into Tel Aviv to visit Eve, the first cloned human baby, whose parents apparently live there -- but they ducked the Raelian news conference, fearing the Israeli law that bans human cloning. The Raelians, who believe humans were cloned by extraterrestrial visitors and that the Hebrew word for the God of Geneisis -- Elohim -- means "those who came from the sky" say that want to build a temple in Jerusalem. And now the experiments are over, says Boisselier, no more freebies: "This is a very expensive process, so from now on, we will need to demand payment. We will publicize the exact fee shortly."

-0- The Chinese effort to enter space is not so socialist that it isn't above hustling a bit of extra funding for its 18th recoverable launch vehicle in April. Advertisements have been set out to solicit business to carry experiments into space. Twenty percent of the fee (negotiable) is to be paid upfront.

www.bsudailynews.com March 17, 2003      by Teresa Auch, Chief Reporter

Members of the Ball State and Muncie communities joined the world in a candlelight vigil Sunday night to oppose the looming war with Iraq.

The event was organized by Win Without War. Peace supporters

The peace event started in New Zealand and 6,761 groups in 140 countries joined in throughout the day.

About 100 peace advocates gathered around Beneficence for 30 minutes of silence. People were then invited to speak.

Gina Wertz, a senior at the Indiana Academy, said she decided to organize a vigil in Muncie after reading the Web site MoveOn.org last Wednesday and saw there were none scheduled for Muncie yet.

According to moveon.org/vigil, the event started in New Zealand and 6,761 groups in 140 countries joined in throughout the day.

About 100 peace supporters gathered around the Beneficence statue for 30 minutes of silence. People were then invited to speak about peace and what they could individually do to promote it.

"I will try to become a voice for peace and learn more about it," Muncie resident Lucinda Rarick said.

Many people spoke on the need for more education about a need for war. However, there was some disagreement over the role that oil has played in the decision for war.

Stacy Stinson, an architecture student, said he believed the possible war was "dirty" because of the ties oil has had.

Sophomore Cole Smith said he disagreed with Stinson after talking with history professor Kevin Smith who said if the United States wanted control of oil, it would be better to focus on Venezuela.

Wertz said she feels oil is the real reason for a possible war.

"I feel the war is oil motivated; it's the biggest industry in the world," Wertz said. "Most of Bush's campaign contributors are in the oil industry, and everything points toward them."

Wertz said she has written to congressmen to impeach President Bush.

"He doesn't listen to the American people, and he's not honest because I feel his motivation comes from oil."

Many of the participants said they didn't believe there was enough evidence in support of war.

"It doesn't seem like there has been enough time and evidence, and it seems a lot of the reason for war is connected with Sept. 11," Indiana Academy alumna Susie Wilson said.

Michelle Lawrence, senior at the academy, said she didn't see why it mattered even if Iraq did have all these weapons when it hasn't mattered for the past 10 years.

Many participants, while against war, were not sure what other actions should be taken.

"I'm not sure what a good solution would be, but I know war is a bad one," Wertz said.

Another vigil is planned for 7 p.m. next Sunday.

Vigil promotes peace, education on world situation Post your feedback on this topic here No feedback has been posted yet. Please post yours! (Feedback requires a Javascript-compatible browser)