|
|
| by Christopher
Spencer |
Former Senior
Advisor International Organizations, Canadian Department of
Foreign Affairs and International Trade |
| Updated: 13 SEP
08 | |
F.H.Abed"Micro-Credit, Poverty and Development: the Case of Bangladesh"Behind the Headlines
Vol.57/ No.2-3 (Winter/Spring 00):-micro-credit -small loans made to poor households/individuals
to finance small-scale entrepreneurial activities- has expanded rapidly(world target is now $20b),
and encouraged hope for major cost-effective global poverty-reduction. "NGOs in Asia, Africa,
and Latin America are largest providers of micro-credit to those sections of society - rural
landless, disadvantagedwomen, marginal farmers, and wage labourers - who depend largely on
selling their labour for a living" (12). These target groups reflect the fact that it is often the only
way very poor can break cycle of povertyresulting from a lack of collateral and exorbitant local
interest charges. It produced high success ratesnot only in poverty-reduction(and repayment:
98%)but in social reform, economic development, education/training, and growth of assets for
both borrowers/lenders, which is reinvested. Abed, director ofBangladesh Rural Advancement
Committee, among world's largest NGO's, offers much globally-relevant information:big issues/
questions; scale/approach/result; specialties(income-useful education, social development).
Virginia D. Abernethy, Population Politics: The Choices that Shape Our Future(New York: Insight
Books 93):-an influential source, frequently cited for its study of human incentives. It takes now
widely-held view that developing an informed motivation to lower fertility rates(e.g. perception
of limited resources)must often precede active use of contraceptives. It also makes radical
proposal: total US immigration ban.[In fact, current migration from poor to rich countries barely
affects demographic pressures or trends, although short-distance, large-scale movements (such
as from Bangladesh to Assam)can have local impact.] G. Pascal Zachary, "An Unconventional
Academic Sounds Population Alarm" in Wall Street Journal 31 Jul 98, reports that Abernethy
opposed most aid to poor countries since, contrary to "demographic transition" theory(that
fertility falls as living standards rise), prosperity increases fertility.[Most experts probably feel
that while" transition" is much more complex than once thought, perceiving its complete
reversalwould:(1)confuse some immediate, with major long-term, effects of rising living
standards (low OECD fertility);(2)ignore many other factors, e.g. female education; women's
choice; cultural imperatives.]
Morton Abramowitz & Thomas Pickering "Making Intervention Work: Improving the UN's Ability
to Act"(100-108) Foreign Affairs Vol.87/No.5(Sep/Oct 08):-official summary:"In the face of grave
humanitarian crises in countries such as Myanmar and Sudan, the international community has
failed to back up its rhetoric with deeds. To adequately address such situations, the United
Nations must streamline its decision-making, strengthen its peacekeeping capabilities, and
create a crisis-response force". Emphasized extracts:"International clamor must produce
results, not simply more clamor". "The UN needs a limited force to respond to humanitarian
disasters and prevent conflicts from spiraling out of control". Abramowitz is a Senior Fellow at
the Century Foundation and former US Ambassador to Thailand and Turkey. Pickering is Vice
Chair of Hills & Company and has served as US Ambassador to six countries and the UN.
Diane Ackerman et al., The New Age of Discovery: A Celebration of Mankind's Exploration of the
Unknown (Toronto: Time Canada 97):-although"popular"in format, purpose/content are serious:
17 thoughtful essays contributed by leading scientists and academics. Aim is to survey where
scientific discovery now stands, and where it is taking us. Many topics are or will be global
and/or UN issues: health/ageing; defence against asteroids; DNA/climatic discoveries and
implications; "Third World" -relevant technology; genderdifferences; care of global commons
and indigenous peoples; extraterrestrial life; new energy forms; ethical computing;
"homogenization" of world; special global challenges. Relatively easy place to start looking at
trends and prospects- particularly if your background not in science. Survey is just example
ofvaluable collections of what are in fact 21st-Century global issues, put together by good
general periodicals(dailies, weeklies, monthlies),often to mark occasions like anniversaries or
new years/decades. Those fitting our purposes here would be forward-looking, deal with
subjects global in scope or importance, be written by top impartial authorities, and preferably
offer reading lists.
James Adams, The Next World War: Computers Are the Weapons and the Front Line Is
Everywhere(New York: Simon & Schuster 98):-not primarily about technology, but rather warning
about (un)anticipated effects of accelerating revolution in many-faceted field of information
warfare(IW). Uses many original sources to explain fundamental changes in nature of combat.
Weapons can be disabling, non-lethal, long-distance, unmanned, multi-use, minuscule... Wars
may be battlefield-less, electronic, adversary-ambiguous, instantaneous... Intelligence and
surveillance will be pervasive/often decisive. At same time, vast technical lead -and complexity
- of rich countries' forces/societies also creates immense (cyber)vulnerability. In global
North-South terms, implies economically-advanced states will prefer to fight by exploiting their
technology, while any less-advanced opponents will tend to concentrate their attackson that
technology's weak points.[World community/UN will find "violent conflict" (formal inter-state
war now very rare)not only creates multiple new diplomatic/legal issues(time/space limits,
sanctions, intervention, lethality, causes, costs, crimes)but, most difficult of all, is increasingly
ambiguous, in terms of "participants" (both initiators and intended enemies/victims),
location(e.g. if electronic, disease-inducing, and/or delayed-action), aims(already true of
terrorism), even very existence(e.g. cyber-, resource- or bio-conflict; deliberate/ accidental?).One
major consequence then is that entire concept of conflict-resolution transformed.]
AFRICA: CURRENT PROBLEMS, SOURCES, AND SUGGESTED CURES: MEDIA SELECTION
John Grimond "Africa's Great Black Hope: Survey of South Africa" (1-16); "Africa's Elusive
Dawn" (Edit 17-8); "Aid to Africa" (59); "South African Governance: The End of Minority Rule"
(Bus.66)The Economist 24 Feb 01:-these four pieces complement each other. Even if two
concentrate on South Africa, its leading economic/political roles make it continent's bell-wether
- in success or failure. Editorial bitter: "Africa's parlous condition dreadful condemnation of
mankind's collective efforts to end poverty and promote freedom...[While]Millennium African
Renaissance Programme[made South Africa's president Mbeki call firstfor]'critical examination
of Africa's post-independence experience, and acceptance that things have to be done
differently'" ,editor chastises rich world for its tariffs, quotas, farm subsidies, unfavourable terms
of trade, weapons sales, debt inducement, tied/declining ODA - and for supporting corrupt
Africanregimes/prohibitive drug prices. Africa deserves both more support/better leaders. ODA
article stressesincreased British interest in helping poorest countries, i.e. mostly African which
received about 1b poundsin bilateral/multilateral aid in 99-00. UK will concentrate on getting new
technology/skills to students and would-be teachers, on debt relief, on police training and on
peacekeeping. Business item notes although,when South Africa's present rulers still rebels
threatened to nationalize big business; in power they have brought better corporate governance
through greater efficiency and transparency. "Break-up of old conglomerates coincided with
attempts to create new class of black businessmen" .Survey's analyses, whileconcentrating on
South African economic, social and political situation, have much relevance for whole of
Sub-Saharan Africa - and whole Third World. Two over-riding realities are:(1)elimination of very
rich, long-entrenched and well-armed racist regime, in refined/orderly way, and without expected
bloodbath(in continent only too experienced with ethnic dominations/bloodbaths);but(2)
apartheid's replacement by equal or worse horror: AIDS(now threatening all Third World).In
addition, relatively high (for Africa)average per capita income disguises "extremes of wealth and
poverty rivalled only in Brazil: South Africa really both first world and third world
country...Fortunately, long wait for freedom...provided time...to see how other countries coped
with self-government. And it brought goodwill, not least because South Africa blessed with
leadership of statesman of heroic proportions...Spirit of generosity seemed to characterise not
just Mandela but new South Africa as a whole" .Survey discusses:(1)Land(Re)Distribution: with
apartheid,white 15% of population effectively owned 87% of land, including all best;(2)Education:
takes 21% of budget/5.7% of GNP, but still mixes some of best and worst schools in
world;(3)Violent Crime: "threatensnot just South Africans' security but very basis of their
society" mainly for socio-historic reasons;(4)HIV/AIDS: "makes most other problems seem
trivial" with UNAIDS estimating 4.2m people HIV-positive; life expectancy expected to fall from
60 to 40 years by 08; social custom/ government policy at fault;(5)Racial Equality: affirmative
action and "black economic empowerment" encouraged by law, butracial gaps are probably
diminishing mainly through constitutional ban on discrimination;(6)Employment and Investment:
both face major shortfalls, although policy aims at" growth, employment and redistribution" ;"
only40% of economically active population employed in formal" sectors;(7)Justice: made much
apparent progress: Constitution aims high, but partly unenforceable; independent Supreme
Court; Human Rights Commission against discrimination; novel Truth and Reconciliation
Commission provided neither, butoffered "day in court" ;(8)Non-Blacks: about 250,000
whites(officially or unofficially)emigrated since majority rule, but those staying generally do not
suffer: Afrikaners have adapted well; Indians have lost economically, and Coloureds complain
they are "not black enough" ; Appraisal: is generally good, considering where things started and
African comparisons; biggest problems social: continuing dominance of racial concerns and
income gaps; catastrophe of AIDS and its socio-economic impact.
Masood Ahmed & Cheryl Gray Helping Countries Combat Corruption: The Role of the World
Bank(Washington: IBRD 97):-produced by World Bank's Poverty Reduction and Economic
Management Network(PREM). Bank's World Development Report 1997: The State in a Changing
World(op.cit.)also deals with global corruption issues in government context but mainly
descriptively, while PREM reportconcentrates on how Bank can help governments address
corruption as serious development constraint. Daniel Kaufmann(op.cit.)lists more articles and
books on this issue.
Salman Ahmed"No Size Fits All: Lessons in Making Peace and Rebuilding States"Foreign
AffairsVol.84/No.1(Jan/Feb 05):-Review Essay by Senior Political Officer, Office of UN USG for
Peacekeeping Operations who served in Cambodia, South Africa, Bosnia/Herzegovina,
Afghanistan and Iraq. Providesanalysis of the argumentation of three books: Roland Paris At
War's End: Building Peace After Civil Conflict(Cambridge: Cambridge Univ.Press 04); Kimberly
Zisk Marten Enforcing the Peace: Learning From the Imperial Past(New York: Columbia Univ.
Press 04); John Mueller The Remnants of War(Ithaca: Cornell Univ.Press 04). All three
draw"attention to important lessons that deserve serious consideration from policymakers and
practitioners...Still, these authors make too much of similarities among cases they study and not
enough of differences. And by using them to extrapolate bold models for state reconstruction,
authors belie inherent complexities of task...Specifics of...conflicts - their scale as well as their
historical geopolitical/socioeconomic roots - should inform how peace brokered/maintained. Yet
none...pays enough attention to such fundamental considerations."Essay is worth reading - as
a survey of all the issues faced by the UN when easing post-crisis problems.
AIDS: THIRD WORLD: INFECTION RATES AND SOCIAL-ECONOMIC ISSUES
AIDS: THIRD WORLD: MEDICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND CHALLENGES
The HIV/AIDS pandemic is viewed increasingly as the most serious challenge facing global
society. Almost all material on this subject is found in the media and is included in RECENT
DEVELOPMENTS. To reach all media selections relating to AIDS, click on AIDS Third World.
Martin Albrow, The Global Age: State and Society Beyond Modernity(Stanford: Stanford Univ.
Press 97):-largely theoretical look at globalization, but offering many practical insights about
global institutions. Basic thesis: while political, social, economic and technical elements of
modernity and nation-state continue, entering new era where globality, i.e. global viewpoint, will
gradually replace them. UN system, being representative of states, need not be world state, but
will become increasingly system reflecting viewsand debating values of humanity(119-144).
John B.Alexander Future War: Non-Lethal Weapons in Twenty-First Century Warfare(New York:
St. Martin's Press 99):-excellent study of immense potential of non-lethal weapons, and impact
of global trends on aims of security. Assumed US/NATO must(via UN)be world police force.
Emerging threats for armed forces/police are: powerful criminal/terrorist organizations, together
with transnational/religious bodies/ groups seeing themselves as politically, economically or
socially deprived. Wide range of non-lethal weaponry includes acoustic, biological, chemical,
electromagnetic weapons, physical restraints, low-impact projectiles, information warfare.
Useful scenarios: peace support(UN)operations; technologicalsanctions; strategic paralysis;
hostages or barricades. Issues addressed: practical limitations, strategicimplications, moral
opposition, legal considerations, and constraints on "winning" .
Graham AllisonNuclear Terrorism: The Ultimate Preventable Catastrophe(New York: Owl
Books/Henry Holk & Co 05):-extremely expert/influential report argues in INTRODUCTION
that:"Given the number of actors with serious intent, the accessibility of weapons or nuclear
materials from which elementary weapons could be constructed, and the almost limitless ways
in which terrorists could smuggle a weapon through US borders, [i]n my own considered
judgment, on the current path, a nuclear terrorist attack on US inthe decade ahead is more likely
than not"(15). First chapter concludes:"What all [major terrorist] groups have in common is a
hatred of the US or the West, along with sophisticated organizational structuresand access to
technical know-how. [U]ncomfortable fact is that being the world's only superpower isinevitably
going to breed resentment of one form or another - and it is impossible to mollify every single
group. Challenge to US is to prevent these organizations from acquiring the means to threaten
us with nuclear attack"(42).Then describes"unique destructive power of these terrible weapons",
how/where they could be obtained, and where/when/how attacks might take place(43-120). Then
describes policy changes to reduce chance of attack. List: priority to issue; standard for secure
nuclear weapons/material; globalalliance against nuclear terrorism; global clean-out of all
dangerous fissile material; stop new national production of fissile material; shut down of nuclear
black markets; block emergence of nuclear weaponsstates; full review of global nonproliferation
regime; revise nuclear weapons' postures/pronouncements;global prosecuting war on
terrorism(205). Emphasis is on US but essential involvement must be global.
Philip G.Altbach & Roberta Malee Bassett "The Brain Trade: Prime Numbers" Foreign Policy
No.144(Sep/Oct 04):-among very influential "globalizing" events today are the growing millions
of Third World post-secondary students attending universities in rich Western countries. Many
gain access to key ideas of modern society and/or operate in English, so later lives will be
influenced by "worldly" visions. Despite newglobal concerns with terrorism" there is no holding
back the flow of students seeking education beyondtheir borders" ;Australia recently estimated
the "total number of international students will increase to 8m by 2025." Regarding content,"
literature and arts take back seat[;] three fields dominate: business/management,engineering,
mathematics/computer sciences." About 80% of world's foreign students are from
Asiancountries; the following states include universities with 100,000+ enrolled through distance
education: China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey. Leading
receiver countries(with the rough total of foreign students 2000/01): Australia(70,000),
Britain(223,000), France(135,000), Germany(185,000),US(547,000). Since most foreign students
pay for their own study/living expenses, first two depend on their income to help support public
universities. "Many migrants maintain strong ties from abroad, someeventually return home, and
growing numbers of highly educated contribute to their home societies byproviding expertise
and investment. But loss of significant numbers of best and brightest remainsproblem for many
poorer societies" . It may then be related to expenses that "increasing number[of potential
foreign student payers is]looking for new options in developing world" ;emergence of
mega-universities in India and China may soon alter balance of'brain trade'forever.
Lawrence K.Altman "Study Finds Drop in H.I.V. Cases in South India"NYT 31 Mar 06:-"Prevalence
of new HIV infections has fallen significantly in southern India, region of that country where the
disease hasoccurred most often, scientists reported. Many health officials have predicted major
increases in HIV in India, which has world's second highest number of infected people, after
South Africa. But new infections among young aduts declined by more than a third from 2000
through 2004, according to astatistical study. [Article contains selected statistics from study and
varied information about sources.]Authors attributed favorable trend to an increasing use of
condoms by men and an insistence by prostitutes that their partners use them. That decline, in
turn, reduced transmission of HIV to spouses.Experts cautioned against drawing too firm a
conclusion from one study and added that the new findingsdid not mean India's HIV epidemic
was over. Still, the study has two key implications, researchers said.One is that strategies that
emphasize education about how HIV can be transmitted and the use of condoms offer the best
hope for reducing the spread of the virus in India. Second is that routine monitoring of HIV and
other sexually transmitted diseases are powerful and cost-effective ways to control AIDS in
India. But experts urged constant vigilance for signs of a reversal of the favorable
trend...Reductions were more modest in 14 northern states, where prevalence of HIV infections
is about one-fifth that in the four southern states".
Lawrence K.Altman "Chimp Virus Is Linked to H.I.V." New York Times 26 May 06:- "By studying
chimpanzee droppings in remote African jungles, scientists reported [25 May] they have found
direct evidence of amissing link between a chimpanzee virus and the one that causes human
AIDS. Scientists have long suspected that chimpanzees are the source of the human AIDS
pandemic because at least one subspecies carries a simian immune deficiency virus closely
related to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS... The genetic and immunologic tests were developed
in stages over the past seven years to help tracethe evolution of HIV and solve the mysterious
origins of AIDS. [S]tudy combined genetics and epidemiology... Team's findings show 'for the
first time a clear picture of the origin of HIV-1 and theseeds of the AIDS pandemic'. HIV-1 is the
virus that causes the vast majority of AIDS cases in the world... Studies estimate that the human
AIDS virus jumped species 50 to 75 years ago. But no one knowswho the first infected person
was or how that person acquired HIV. The earliest HIV infection wasdocumented in 1959 in an
unidentified man in Kinshasa[, Congo]. Team theorized that HIV was first transmitted locally
somewhere in west-central Africa. Because the subspecies of chimpanzees... livesin the wild in
Cameroon, Gabon and Congo Republic, the first infection could have been in any of those
areas... The communities with a high prevalence of infected chimpanees were located south of
theSangha River, which flows into the Congo river and on to Kinshasa. That led... to the theory
that someinfected person carried HIV from a remote area to Kinshasa, where it was then passed
on. It is not known whether chimpanzees infected with SIVcpz become ill... More collections
were needed in other vast areas of Africa to provide a clearer picture of the evolution of AIDS
and to determine if there wereother viruses that could cause epidemics like AIDS" .
Lawrence K.Altman "Report Shows AIDS Epidemic Slowdown in 2005"New York Times 30 May
06:- "Newsurveys suggest that global AIDS epidemic has begun to slow, with decline in new HIV
infections in about 10 countries, leader of UNAID program said. Outside of those countries,..
number of new AIDS infections continues to rise or hover at its current pace. Meanwhile, public
health efforts are reaching only a small proportion of people at risk, Dr.Peter Piot, executive
director of UNAIDS, said at news conference in UN NYC ...India has 5.7m infected people and
South Africa 5.5m, but India's population far greater. Showing no sign of decline, South Africa
has a prevalence rate of about 19% of 47m people.In India, rate is less than 1% of its population
of 1.1b. Progress against AIDS in some regions represents dividends from a surge in financing
since 2001, when UN pledged its commitment to stem epidemic by 2010. Declaration called for
countries to report regularly on their responses to AIDS. This week, UNGAwill receive the
progress that 126 countries have said they have made. Report(op.cit.), most comprehensive
survey ever compiled from country data, pointed to the 2001 UN meeting as a turning point for
AIDS financing. In 2005,.. world spent $8.3b on AIDS, compared with $1.6b in 2001. 'We areseeing
the impact', Piot said. He cited increased condom use, a rise in postponement of sexual
intercourse and a decrease in number of sex partners as factors in slowing of epidemic.
Summarizing report's findings, Piot said '2005 was least bad year in the history of the AIDS
epidemic'... Despite thepositive trends, Piot reported grim findings from China, Indonesia, Papua
New Guinea, Russia andVietnam(op.cit.), with signs of outbreaks in Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Ending the pandemic will depend largely on changing social norms like empowering women,
reducing stigma of the disease andencouraging a greater reduction in the number of sex
partners, report said. Most countries have strong foundations for building an effective response
against AIDS, report said, but systems to carry out plansremain inconsistent. Thoroughness of
the individual national reports varied, and many countries did not provide data for all
categories... Still, replies identified significant weaknesses, he said. Fewer than 50%of young
people achieved comprehensive knowledge levels about HIV, far fewer than the 90% goal.
Only9% of gay men and fewer than 20% of intravenous drug users received any kind of HIV
prevention help in 2005. Services to prevent HIV infections in infants have not scaled up as
rapidly as programs to provide antiretroviral therapy. Just 9% of pregnant women were covered...
Report shows that epicenterof the epidemic remains in sub-Saharan Africa. There epidemic has
reached peak, but incidence remains unacceptably high, Piot said. Across most of Africa, HIV
prevalence among pregnant women attendingclinics has remained roughly level for several
years. UN disputed contentions by some observers thatthe leveling off showed a turning point
in the AIDS epidemic in Africa... Piot said, 'actual number of people infected continues to rise
because of population growth'" Lawrence K.Altman "U.N. Urges Tripling of Funds by '08 to Halt
AIDS" NYT 01 Jun 06:- "Stopping epidemic of AIDS will require $22b/year by 2008and possibly
more in following years, officials of UNAIDS program said. The $22b is nearly triple the$8.3b
spent 05 by all sources, including governments and private sector. Urging that countries spend
more, UNSG Kofi Annan said a costlier and more sustained effort needed because AIDS 'has
spread further, faster and with more catastrophic long-term effects than any other disease'... Of
projected figure,half is needed for prevention and a quarter for treatment and care of infected
people. Remainder is for care of orphans, children at risk of becoming infected and program
costs. UNSG and Piot of UNAIDS spoke as UNGA began meeting aimed at renewing political
commitment and setting new goals for expenditures and for measuring progress... Annan urged
delegates to challenge countries trying to avoid goals that mention gay people, prostitutes,
intravenous-drug users and others at high risk of becoming infected. 'Governments concerned
need to be realistic and responsible', UNSG said. He also said that 'if we are here to try to end
the epidemic, we will not succeed by putting our head in the sandand pretending that these
people do not exist or they do not need help'... Report cards showed that most countries missed
more goals than they met. More than 20m have become infected since 2001 meeting.Now
countries must fundamentally change the way they think and deal with epidemic, moving from
crisis management to 'sustained attention and the kind of "anything it takes" resolve that
member states apply to preventing global financial meltdowns or wars' , Piot said... Global
Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS released a study showing that private companies have become
more likely to provide treatment for employees as cost of antiretroviral drugs has fallen over last
six years, to $140-$300/year,from $10,000. In African countries with a high prevalence, more than
70% of companies surveyed arefully subsidizing access to HIV treatment, coalition said.
Study...found increasing trend to expand such treatment to employees' dependents. Companies
also offering access to voluntary testing/counseling" ; Lawrence K.Altman & Elisabeth Rosenthal
"U.N. Strengthens Call for a Global Battle Against AIDS" NYT 02 Jun 06:- "[UNGA] adopted
strongly worded declaration [02 Jun] aimed at pressing nations of the worldto strengthen their
battle against AIDS, global pandemic [UNSG] called 'greatest challenge of our generation'.
Language of document surprised even anti-AIDS groups, which said that while it did not satisfy
all their objectives, they had feared it would be watered down... Nonbinding declaration reaffirms
commitments made in 01, when UN defined AIDS as far more than a medical issue, framing it in
terms of political/human rights/ economic survival... New document is political blueprint, not
plan of action.Calls for strong commitment to bolster the rights of women/girls so they can
protect themselves from infection with HIV... Declaration calls on countries to: use scientifically
documented prevention strategies, including condoms;make clean needles accessible to drug
users; take steps to provide universal access to prevention programs/ care/antiretroviral drugs.
Includes politically charged terms like 'condoms' /'vulnerable groups' , though those groups not
specified... Countries expected to measuretheir progress over next 5 years against targets to be
determined by UN... Said world will need to spend up to $23b/year by 2010... Earlier in day, UNSG
Annan delivered a gloomy assessment, saying world waslosing the battle. 'The epidemic
continues to outpace us' , he told packed UNGA. 'There are more new infections than ever
before; more deaths than ever before; more women/girls infected than ever before'... [US' s]
Mrs.Bush speech steered away from many of the criticisms that have been labled against
administration, notably that it promotes sexual abstinence over scientifically proven
strategies,particularly condom use. Indeed, she said, 'ABC'model - initials stand for abstain, be
faithful and usecondoms - had brought sharp declines in infections in Africa. Britain's
international development[minister] said in interview: abstinence alone did not work ...Dr. Peter
Piot [UNAIDS] said: while nodocument could make anyone '100% happy', final version was 'a
major advance'and far stronger thanweaker drafts circulating earlier in week" .
Sudhir Anand and Amartya K.Sen Sustainable Human Development: Concepts and
Priorities(New York: UNDP/ODS 96):-tries to provide rationale for bringing together narrowly
environmental viewof "sustainable" world and case for eliminating "inequities" in living
conditions. Argument for "human development" (pushed by UNDP/World Bank/this
bibliography)made well, but its role in population controland easing pressure on the planet's
carrying capacity mentioned only weakly and indirectly. Generaleconomic development( "overall
opulence" )criticized as "partisan" for failing "to take note of need for impartiality in allocating
entitlements" i.e.collective statistics hide unacceptable inequities. Imbalanced - or at least
imperfect - defence of key imperatives.
Chris Anderson, "The Young(stressing Youth and Age)" The Economist 23 Dec 00(Survey
1-16):-explorescauses/ elements/global impact of major social trend, strong in North America,
spreading through advanced/emerging societies and already changing poorer countries(Japan,
Germany, China)." About...growing influence of young adults in world, and especially working
world...thanks to convergence of forces that play to youth's strength -from technology to...pace
of change to...tearing down of traditional...order.[T]hey are...first young who are both in position
to change world, and are actually doing so.[Y]oung people increasingly make own environment,
thanks to shift in power that gives them opportunity, responsibility and tools once reserved for
their elders" .Rapid, relentless pace ofchange(technological/social)favours young, since they
learn/relearn faster/easier/can afford to risk more to try new things(including jobs).In
organizations, hierarchies of mature giving way to meritocracies in order to compete/ survive,
initiate/adjust to change, and as knowledge/skill/even experience needs constant updating/
replacement. Youth: welcome change; think flexibly/technologically; exploit(mobile) skills; risk
futures; prefer opportunity to wealth/ security; demand/deserve respect. "Youth and
Government" in issue(61-2)reports youth's growing role/impact in decision-making. ["W]ell-
prepared input can be more influential than[votes - point often made about NGOs' power being
in knowledge]Young people...are not only leaders of tomorrow; increasingly they are leaders of
today" .
Kofi A. Annan, "The Quiet Revolution" Global Governance Vol.4/No.2(Apr-Jun 98):-fine updating
of Secretary-General worldview and priorities. Globalization is "most rapid reconfiguration
of...economic geography ever" so UN must exploit"mutual benefits of change while managing
adverse effects...UN's past pattern of incremental adaptations will not suffice." Must do what "it
does better than others" ;collaborate more with international bodies/civil society: NGOs
/business/academe. UN aim"strategic resource deployment, unity ofpurpose, coherence of
effort/agility/flexibility" .
Kofi A. Annan, "UN Committed to Ensuring World Water Security and 'Blue Revolution', Says
Secretary-General, in Message to World Water Forum" in UN Press Release SG/SM/7334 21 Mar
00:-urgent global problem is finding huge additional quantities of affordable water to meet
increasing needs of population growth/concentration and rising agricultural/industrial demand,
and to make up for global pollution andfalling water tables(see Worldwatch Institute: Lester R.
Brown, "Water: Emerging Constraint on Growth" (123-5)in State of the World(1999)op.cit.). Hence
"world's impending water crisis" was theme of UNSG's text. He reported that "every year, more
than 5 million people[over 50% children]die as a result of poor water quality - 10 times the
number killed in wars...[W]ithin 25 years two out of every three people on Earth will live in
water-stressed conditions. Indeed, the declining state of the world's freshwater resources, in
terms of quantity and quality, may well prove to be the dominant issue on the environment and
development agenda of the new century" . UN Newservice 21 Mar 00: Klaus Toepfer, UNEP head,
at the Forum: "The battle for the conservation of water will be won or lost in the mega-cities of
the world" .[Technology can help:]Douglas Jehl, "Tampa Bay Looks to the Sea to Quench Its
Thirst" in New York Times12 Mar 00:-US appears to be just reaching the stage when many
high-density areas need, or find it economic, to desalinate sea or brackish water. Tampa
Bay(2.3m residents)will be the first large urban areato do so, planning the largest(25m
gallons/day)desalinization plant outside Saudi Arabia(whose economics are totally different). As
of writing, five states(cheaply)desalinate brackish water, while two cities which built sea-water
plants decades ago, now use them for backup due to cost. But Tampa cost estimates have fallen
from $4-6 per 1,000 gallons to $2.08. With several cities planning desalinization, and many more
facing the need, economics/technology may now produce a global cost breakthrough. [World
FDI and ODA may soon include large expenditures on desalination.]
Kofi A. Annan, "We the Peoples: The Role of the United Nations in the 21st Century" Millennium
Report of S-G presented 03 Apr 00 to UNGA in preparation for the Millennial Summit 6-8 Sep 00:-
Executive Summary, Key Proposals, Full Report, Fact Sheet, Press Releases, SG UNGA
Statement, SG Press Conference Transcript: all under http://www.un.org/millennium/sg/report/.
Annan said report "attempts to present a comprehensive account of the challenges facing
humanity as we enter the twenty-first century, combined with a plan of action for dealing with
them" . Section titles with(very tight)summaries: I. New Century, New Challenges: New
millennium-Summit offers unique occasion to reflect on world's common destiny, since
interconnected as never before. UN can help meet challenges ahead and be reshaped now to
make a real difference. II. Globalization and Governance: Globalization unequally distributed and
lacks shared social objectives. More people(plus crime, drugs, terrorism, pollution, disease,
weapons, migrants, refugees)interact across frontiers faster, and feel more threatened/ horrified
by distant events/conditions. New technologies enable common understanding/action, so must
learn to govern better, together. States need mutual help via common institutions, from
non-state actors, and informal policy networks. The unequal/unstable/unsustainable world
development model needs agreed remedial measures. III. Freedom From Want: .5b live on less
than $1 a day, so must reduce extreme poverty by half before 2015. Priorities: sustained growth;
all children complete primary school by 2015 and all youth finddecent work; by 2010 HIV
infection rate in young cut by 25% -one result of more LDC-relevant research; improve lives of
100m slum dwellers by 2020; experts/charities to tackle low agricultural productivity in Africa,
as governments give higher priority to poverty; maximize LDC access to infonets to speed
development; rich states open markets to LDCs, offer more debt relief, and focus increased
ODA. IV.Freedom From Fear: internal wars killed 5m in decade; WMD remain threat; security
protects people, not territory. Tackle conflict by: prevention, more balanced development,
human/minority rights, exposingweapons/money/resource smuggling; protect the vulnerable by
enforcing international/human rights law; using UNSC for armed intervention when rights and
lives are massively violated; consider peace operations review panel proposals; target "smart"
sanctions more; improve control of small arms transfers, and reduce dangers of existing nuclear
arms and proliferation. V. Sustaining Our Future: Most planet-sustaining actions are too few,
little, and late. Before 2002, must: cope with climate change: reduce emissions 60% by
efficient/renewable energy, implementing Kyoto Protocol; meet water crisis: accept 2015 target
of 50% reduction in those without safe/affordable water, raise agricultural productivity per unit
of water, improve management; defend soil: biotechnology may be best hope for sufficient food
production, so debate must be resolved globally; preserve forests, fisheries, biodiversity with
joint government/private sector conservation; build new stewardship ethic: public education,
integration ofenvironment into economic policy, regulations/ incentives, accurate scientific data.
VI. Renewing the UN: Must find consensus solutions among governments, private sector, NGOs,
and IOs, with UN as catalyst. Build on core UN strengths(norm-setting, global actions,
humanitarian trust)to press rule of law, adapt UNSC, and work with NGOs, private sector and
foundations, including through informal policy networks; work with industry to exploit
information technology; improve UN management throughstructural/agenda reform,
priority-setting, more flexibility, results-based budgeting. VII. For Consideration by the Summit:
Act on basis of shared Charter values: Freedom, Equity and Solidarity, Tolerance, Non-Violence,
Respect for Nature, Shared Responsibility. Adopt resolutions drawn from Report as
evidence.Reviews: Barbara Crossette, "Annan Urges High-Tech Aid for Poor Countries" in New
York Times 4 Apr;The Economist 8 Apr: "Kofi Annan's Words to the World: Bouncing to a Fairer
World" (51).
Kofi A. Annan, Report of the [UN] Secretary-General to the Preparatory Committee for the
High-level International Intergovernmental Event on Financing for Development:-this
collaborative effort(officially UNGA Document A/AC.257/12)runs to 64 pages, makes 87
recommendations, and was commissioned bythe Millennium Summit to help focus discussion
at a Mar 2002 global meeting on development financing(still an" event" since it awaits an official
title). Involved directly in the report's preparation were: many parts of the UN proper(particularly
DESA, UNCTAD and UNDP); UN Agencies; the Bank, Fund and WTO; theregional development
banks; OECD; the Financial Stability Forum; many governments/otherstakeholders(arranged by
the UN regional commissions); the business community; and civil society organizations. Hence
it reflects extremely varied, expert and authoritative views - significant, since some proposals
are quite radical, even if presented solely on the responsibility of the UN Secretariat. The report
consists of an Introduction and six chapters, the latter perhaps being the agenda items of the
"event" : I. Mobilizing domestic financial resources for development; II. Mobilizing international
resources for development: foreign direct investment and other private flows; III. Trade; IV.
Increasing international financial cooperation for development through, inter alia, official
development assistance; V. Debt; VI. Addressing systemic issues: enhancing coherence and
consistency of the international monetary, financial and trading systems in support of
development. For highlights, see UN Press Release DEV/2275at: http://www.un.org/News/Press
/docs/2001/ dev2275.htm. The complete text(which explains all acronyms!)can also be
downloaded from the Web: http://www.un.org/esa/ffd/aac257-12E.htm
orhttp://www.un.org/esa/ffd/aac257-12E.pdf. For three articles about the Report(highlighting the
dirty bits)see: Christopher S. Wren, "U.N. Report Proposes Steps to Fight Global Poverty" in New
York Times 30 Jan 01;Reuters, "Annan Offers Poor Nations 87 Ways to Lure Funds" NYT 30 Jan;
Wren, "The U.N. Offers 87 Remedies to Help Poor Nations Develop" NYT 04 Feb. The UNSG's
opening speech at the subsequentPrepcom meeting is reported in: Reuters "Annan: Poor
Nations Must Set Development Priorities" NYT 12 Feb. It describes his theme as: LDCs "should
play a greater role in setting policy and priorities in thefinancing of global development" and
cease to be "decided in clubs where only rich countries have real influence" . This issue is of
course a perennial one at the UN, where the contribution-weighted voting in Bretton Woods
bodies is seen as "grossly unfair" and "neo-colonialist" by aid recipients, whose very survival
may be at stake, but "absolutely essential" by the investment-oriented donors, who feel"
shareholders" have natural rights to determine where and how their own money is spent. Annan
aims to increase the relative role of" one-country-one-vote" UN fora(UNGA; ECOSOC)in making
broad global development policies and priorities. He also is very concerned to make foreign
investment in LDCs larger and less volatile as ODA continues its decline. Advising him is a
high-level panel(Zedillo, Rubin, Delors...).
Kofi A. Annan "Courage To Fulfil Our Responsibilities" The Economist 04 Dec 04(23-5):-UNSG
offers global action-urging essay built on his immediate reaction to report of the High-Level
Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. Following his urgent introduction is a brief summary
of Annan's alreadyconcentrated and rearranged version of the panel report's many
concerns/proposals. Its value is less to summarize the panel's views than to identify subjects
they and/or he discuss. "We face a world of extraordinary challenges - and of extraordinary
interconnectedness. We are all vulnerable to new security threats, and to old threats that are
evolving in complex and unpredictable ways. Either we allow this array of threats, and our
responses to them, to divide us, or we come together to take effective action to meet all of them
on basis of a shared commitment to collective security. I asked the 16 members of [panel]-
eminent people representing many nations and points of view - to analyse the threats to
peaceand security our world faces; to evaluate how well our existing policies and institutions
are meeting them; and to recommend changes to those policies and institutions, so as to ensure
an effective collective response to those threats. Their report...makes 101 far-sighted but
realistic recommendations. If acted on, they would address the security concerns of all states,
ensure that UN works better, strengtheninternational rule of law and make all people safer" .
First: threats. Event/process leading to deaths on large scale/lessening life chances or
undermines states, should be viewed as threat to innatl peace/security.Clusters:
economic/social, including poverty/disease; inter-state conflict/rivalry; internal violence: civil
war/state collapse/genocide; nuclear/radiological/chemical/ biological weapons; terrorism; innatl
crime.Threats interconnected to unprecedented degree; no state alone can defeat. Highly
enriched uranium at size of 6 milk cartons could level medium-sized city as nuclear device. Such
attack in US/Europe isstaggering cost for world economy. Security of developed states only as
strong as ability of poor statesto respond to/contain new deadly infectious disease. Incubation
period for most is longer than most air flights, so any one of 700m who travel airlines in year
could unwittingly carry lethal virus to unsuspecting state. Today, virus similar to 1918 influenza
could kill tens of millions in fraction of a year. In today's worldany threat to one is truly threat to
all; applies to all categories of threats. Since real limits on self-protection,all states need
collective-security system, committing all to act cooperatively against dangers.
Givengravity/interconnectedness of threats, world needs more active prevention. Prevention can
be highly effective(Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty);WHO helped halt SARS. Best prevention
agents: capable states, acting/cooperating with others. Best preventive strategy: is development
support. Millennium Development Goals to halve poverty/hunger by 2015 states' best security
investment. It will save lives/reduce violentconflict and radicalism/bolster state ability against
threats before real harm. HIV/AIDS shows danger ofinadequate prevention. Slow/ineffective
global response allowed 20m killed/20 years; spread continues andworst to come. Ultimate cost
will include shattered societies. Still not taking all needed steps to bring under control. Also
need public-health facilities built in poor world. Not only poorer states benefit disease treatment/
local prevention; whole world has better defence against bio-terrorism/large-scale natural
epidemics. UNSC should work with WHO to strengthen biological security via prompt, effective
responses.Equal: greater environmental collective action, including beyond Kyoto protocol to
better resources management in states at risk. Prevention also vital to protect against terrorism.
New is range/scale/intensity of threat(al-Qaeda can kill around world/has struck in 10+ UN
members). Could acquire instruments of massive destruction: unprecedented danger. UN must
better use assets in fight against terrorists: articulate a strategy respectful of laws/human rights.
Definition of terrorism offered: any action intended to kill/seriously harm civilians/ non-
combatants, with purpose of intimidatingpopulation/compelling action by government/innatl
organization. States should use to build consensus andstrengthen UN response to deadly
scourge. Also urgent recommendations on non-proliferation/disarmament/curbing supply of
materials to reduce risk of nuclear/chemical/biological attacks by states/terrorist groups. States
encouraged to end development of domestic uranium enrichmentand urged to voluntary time-
limited moratorium on reprocessing plant construction. IAEA ability to monitorcompliance with
Non- Proliferation Treaty strengthened by standards in protocol for safeguards inspections.
Since Cold War, UN far more engaged in preventing/ending civil wars; ended more through
negotiationsince 90 than in previous 200 years; developed expertise/learned hard lessons. As
demand for UN blue helmets grows, need to boost peacekeeper supply/avoid 90s worst failures.
Rich states should hastenefforts transforming existing forces for UN peace operations. UN must
invest in mediation/support peace agreement implementation. Demobilize combatants/
reintegrate into civil life; otherwise civil wars not successfully ended/other goals(democracy/
justice/ development)remain unmet. Often innatl community lost focus if crisis high point past/
peacekeepers left. Propose UNSC create Peacekeeping Commission; to givestrategic focus for
work in states under stress/emerging from conflict. If prevention/peaceful resolution fails, UN
must be able to rely on force. Whatever reason: all states/UNSC should bear in mind basic
guidelines/questions: (1)Seriousness of threat: does it justify force?(2)Proper purpose: does
proposed force halt/avert threat?(3)Last resort: all non-military options explored/exhausted? (4)
Proportional means: force proposed minimum necessary?(5)Balance of consequences: clear
action not worse than inaction? No need to amend Art.51 of UN Charter: any state's right of
self-defence against armed attack/pre-emptive action against imminent threat. However if states
fear threats, neither imminent nor proximate, but which could culminate in horrific violence if left
to fester, UNSC already powered to act/must be prepared to take action earlier than past, when
asked/reliable evidence. Protection of civilians inside states long fraught with controversy. Yet
recognized more widely that question better framed, not as intervene-right but protection-
responsibility - borne first/foremost by states. Panel agreed principle of non-intervention in
internal affairs cannot protect committing genocide/large-scale ethnic cleansing/ other
comparable atrocities. I hope UN members agree/UNSC will act. UN(now nearly 60)born in very
different time/world, so has under-appreciated record of adapting to new dangers, e.g.
peacekeeping in world's civil wars/response to attack of Sep 01. Clearly needs far-reaching
reform to prevent/respond to all current threats. Some propose via-UN collective response too
difficult/not necessary. But all anti-threat actions impact beyond immediate context/all states
benefit from shared global framework. Not mean UN needs to do everything. It must learn of
share burdens/welcome help from others/work with them. Already does so; report recommends
strengthened UN partnerships with regional organs/individual states. Great attention: UNSC
reform. Objectives: make UNSC more effective/authoritative. Permanent membership devised
(1945)to ensure active engagement of big powers to maintain peace/security. New permanent
members matter of controversy/debate. Two suggestions, both expanding membership to 24;
aim at: add those who contribute most to UN financially/militarily/diplomatically; ensure UNSC
represents UN as whole;not expand veto, which would render decisions more difficult.
Proposals offer chance breakthrough in year ahead. If acted on, UNSC more representative/
better equipped for decisive action. Need strengthened UN secretariat that can support
Peacebuilding Commission; implement UNSC/ committee decisions better on peacekeeping/
mediating civil wars. Report envisages more concerted-action secretariat, with UNSGmore
responsible for management/accountability. Equally important: ECOSOC overhaul to strengthen
role in social development/improving knowledge on economic-social dimensions of security
threats. Also, recommends Human Rights Commission better defender of rights of all. After 60
years, once again findworld mired in disillusionment and all too imperfect. Easy to stand at
sidelines and criticise/talk endlessly about UN reform, but world no longer has that luxury. Time
to adapt collective security system so it works efficiently/effectively/ equitably. Next year UN
states reviewing progress on Millennium Declaration; world leaders' summit in Sep. Appropriate
moment to act on some of most important recommendations in report.I will indicate which call
for decisions at that level. Fervently hope world leaders will rise to challenge. Have all lived
through period of deep division and sombre reflection. Must make 05 year of bold decision; all
share responsibility for each other's security. Let's summon courage to fulfil responsibility."
Complete text of "A More Secure World: Our Shared Responsibility" Report of the High-level
Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, plus initial comments by requester/addressee, UNSG
Kofi Annan, can be read and even copied(99pp Acrobat Reader)from Secretary General's part
of UN file (www.un.org). Executive Summary(8pp Acrobat)also available at same address.
Capturing the 21st Century Security: Prospects for Collective Responses(Oct 04)collects reports
from six Stanley Foundation conferences in 04 that dealt with UNSG panel. Report at
http://reports.stanleyfoundation.org. Council on Foreign Relations "Q&A: Reforming the United
Nations" 01 Dec 04:-originally available either by NYT>CFR>International>[title] or via CFR
directly. This is expert interview with Lee Feinstein who" has spearheaded Council work on the
United Nations" and studied the important UN report and its UNGA prospects.
"Anonymous"Imperial Hubris: Why the West Is Losing the War on Terror(DullesVA: Brassey's
04):-author is a senior US intelligence official with nearly 20 years experience in national security
issues related to Afghanistan and South Asia. This strong critique of arrogant US/allies' policies
towards Osama bin Laden/al Qaeda, and military action against Afghanistan/Iraq, proved quickly
influential in many respects, and advocates less US loyalty to Israel/corrupt Muslim regimes or
presence in Mideast. Motivation of Muslim terrorists is identified not as hatred/fear of Western
national systems but of their broadly negative actions against Islamic peoples. All complex
chapter titles: (1)Some Thoughts on the Power of Focused, Principled Hatred. (2) An Unprepared
and Ignorant Lunge to Defeat - The US in Afghanistan. (3) Not Down, Not Out: Al Qaeda's
Resiliency, Expansion, and Momentum. (4) The World's View of bin Laden: A Muslim Leader and
Hero Coming into Focus? (5) Bin Laden Views the World: Some Old, Some New, and a Twist. (6)
Blinding Hubris Abounding: Inflicting Defeat on Ourselves - Non-War, Leaks, and Missionary
Democracy. (7) When the Enemy Sets the Stage: How US's Stubborn Obtuseness Aids Its Foes.
(8) The Way Ahead: A Few Suggestions for Debate. Epilogue: No Basis for Optimism.
John Arquilla and David Ronfeldt, edit., In Athena's Camp: Preparing for Conflict in the
Information Age(Santa Monica: RAND, 1997):-while addressed to US concerns, issues raised are
global. Included are: thenew world epoch of conflict will revolve around knowledge; the
information revolution, being both organizational and technological, empowers small, non-state,
networked actors vis-a-vis hierarchies(i.e. states); threats are diffused, nonlinear and complex;
conflict tends militarily towards "cyberwar" , sociallyto diverse but comprehensive "netwar" ;
new trends are found in: state, business, and NGO roles,information warfare, global crime and
terrorist capacity. Information on balance promotes peace. All these developments affect the UN
role in maintaining peace and security.
Reza Aslan No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam(New York: Random
House 05):-The widely-read author defines his aim in the Prologue: "This book is not just critical
reexamination of the origins and evolution of Islam, nor is it merely an account of the current
struggle among Muslims to define the future of this magnificent yet misunderstood faith. This
book is, above all else, an argument for reform"(xx). William Grimes, in his New York Times 04
May 05 review, quotes the book:"What is taking place now in the Muslim world is an internal
conflict between Muslims, not an external battle between Islam and the West"(248). Grimes
himself argues: "[Islam's] history, grippingly narrated and thoughtfully examined, takes up nearly
all of 'No god but God'. Aslan... has written a literate, accessible introduction to Islam.,. carefully
placing its message/rituals in historical context. Complete with glossary/annotated bibliography,
it could easily serve as a college textbook". The 310-page book includes 21st century arguments:
"[T]he attacks of 11 Sep 01 were not a defensive strike against a specific act of aggression
against Islam. They were never sanctioned by a qualified mujtahid. They made no differentiation
between combatant/noncombatant.,. indiscriminately killed women, children, and approximately
200 Muslims. In other words, they fell far short of the regulations imposed by Muhammad for a
legitimate jihadi response, which is why, despite common perception in the West, they were so
roundly condemned by the vast majority of the world's Muslims"(87). "Tragic events of 11 Sep...
initiated a vibrant discourse among Muslims about meaning/message of Islam in 21st century...
It may be too early to know who will write the next chapter of Islam's story, but it is not too early
to recognize who will ultimately win the war between reform/counterreform... But the cleansing
inevitable, and tide of reform cannot be stopped. Islamic Reformation is already here"(266).
Associated Press, "Earth is Menaced by Fewer Killer Asteroids Than Previously Thought" in New
York Times 12 Jan 00:- article deals with a real and major danger from space, not only to entire
cities but to all life on earth, that is far from infinitesimal. Scientists have been estimating that
1-2,000 mountain-sized asteroids periodically cross the earth's orbit. This number produces
about a 1% chance of one hitting the earth per millennium. Since asteroids are lumps of rock,
iron and other material believed left over from the formation of the solar system, and those being
counted have diameters between two-thirds of a mile to six miles, they are big enough to "wreak
global disaster" . NASA has just lowered the estimated numberof such killers to about 700, or
by half. New technology may find 90% within the next 20 years, but there are also lots of smaller
asteroids able to destroy cities. Britain has just set up a risk assessment committee. AP,
"Experts Mull Asteroid Risk" in NYT 18 Sep 00:-the committee mentioned above is reported to
have urged the British government to seek international partners to fund a powerful new
telescopeto be stationed in the southern hemisphere and governments should launch joint
studies to assess how to destroy an object on a collision course with the planet. The committee
estimated that a "wide object" crashes into our planet every 10,000 years with the force of a
100-megaton nuclear bomb. Government reacted:" it's sensible to put just a little[money]into
making certain we know if there is a danger of an object hitting our very fragile planet" .
Associated Press," Researchers Produce a Healthier Rice" in New York Times 14 Jan 00: -item
reports that " scientists have genetically engineered a type of rice that could end vitamin A
deficiency in the developing world" . About 14m children worldwide are deficient; so besides
reducing widespread blindness, raising vitamin A levels could prevent 1-2m deaths a year. Swiss
researchers successfully spliced three genes into rice to make it rich in beta carotene, a source
of vitamin A. While tests are ensuring the original nutritional value is maintained, the famous
International Rice Research Institute(IRRI) is working tobreed the trait into popular rice varieties.
New developments are reported in David Barboza, "AstraZeneca to Sell a Genetically
Engineered Strain of Rice" NYT 16 May(Note to Anthony DePalma," Super Seeds Sweeping Major
Markets..." ).
Associated Press "U.S. Troops in Asia Undergo Transformation"New York Times 16 Nov
05:-"North Korea's military power hasn't suddenly changed. It claims to have nukes and its
million-man army is ready to roll. China, meanwhile, is engaging as the new Asian military leader,
and terrorism is flaring upall over the region. But at US' s major Asian outposts, some serious
downsizing under way... US position isn't weakening, say officials and analysts; cutbacks will
be counterbalanced by improved equipment, organization and cooperation... In its biggest
reorganization in two decades, US will shed 12,500 of its32,500-strong force in Korea over next
3 years, reduce its number of bases by about 75% and hand overmajor elements of troops'
mission to their Korean counterparts, who will 'play larger and larger role', US Defense Secretary
said on recent Asia tour. Similar restructuring afoot in Japan, where nearly 50,000US troops are
stationed. US and Japan just agreed to most sweeping changes in deployments there..., plan
that... includes withdrawal of about 7,000 of 18,000 Marines on crowded island of Okinawa...
Ananalyst...says aim is to streamline, but not undermine, the alliance... Changes in Korea in line
with shifts now taking place within entire Army, moving toward combat teams 'smaller but fully
capable and fully lethal packages that can be deployed faster', said [chief of force development
and plans for 8th US Army in Korea]... By end of 2005, 8th Army will have shed 8,000 troops.
Another 3,500 will leave by 2008, along with 1,000 Air Force... Facing increased demands on its
own troops in Iraq/elsewhere, Washington pushing Seoul and Tokyo to assume bigger role in
regional security and in their own defense - and both appear willing... Under new accord... Japan
will defend itself, deal with such threats as ballistic missilesand commando attacks and invasion
of its own islands. US will deploy latest missile defense radar".
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