December 27, 2004

World Media Watch

by Gloria R. Lalumia

BuzzFlash Note: WMW provides BuzzFlash readers foreign views and perspectives that are not usually available from the media here in the U.S. The presentation of these articles from these international publications is not an endorsement of their viewpoints.

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WORLD MEDIA WATCH FOR DECEMBER 27, 2004


1//The Telegraph, UK--BRITONS’ BELIEF IN GOD VANISHING AS RELIGION IS REPLACED BY APATHY (To say that Britain is rapidly becoming a godless country would be too strong, but a YouGov survey provides overwhelming evidence that the British are now a largely irreligious people. Only a minority believe that God exists and almost everyone acknowledges that Britain is becoming an increasingly secular society. There is little or no evidence of active hostility towards either religious people or religious beliefs. Instead, the national mood appears to be one of benign indifference. Most people give the impression of regarding religion almost as a consumer good, one to be consumed by those who happen to have a taste for it.)

2//The Independent, UK--ANTI-SLEAZE CONCERN AS MANDARINS GET TOP JOBS (Tony Blair has been accused of secretly helping senior civil servants secure lucrative private sector jobs. The Prime Minister has informally endorsed claims by a number of mandarins that their appointment is in the "national interest," The Independent on Sunday has been told. A member of the anti-sleaze watchdog that vets applications by senior officials to move to the private sector today publicly called for the rules to be tightened. Examples include: Sir Robert Walmsley, the MoD's former Chief of Defence Procurement, has added EDO Corporation, a US defence firm, to his portfolio of directorships that already includes General Dynamics… Despite the concerns, Mr Blair moved in the summer to relax the rules. He appointed Sir Patrick Brown, a former mandarin now working in the City, to carry out an internal review to be completed by October.)

Related: BLAIR QUIZZED OVER HOLIDAY AT HOME OF TOBACCO CHIEF

3//The Moscow Times, Russia--RUSSIA LIFTS VEIL ON DIAMOND SECRETS (The government lifted the veil on Russia's production and trade in uncut diamonds for the first time on Thursday, paving the way for it to take the chair of a body charged with stamping out trade in so-called blood diamonds. On Jan. 1 Russia is due to take over from Canada the chair of the Kimberley Process, which aims to keep track of diamonds to stop them being used to fund wars. Moscow had to release production and export data, previously a state secret, before taking the position. "Russia ranked first in the world by physical diamond output volumes in 2003, and second after Botswana by value of produced diamonds," the statement said.)

4//Asia Times Online, Hong Kong--PAKISTAN LAYS DOWN THE AGENDA FOR THE US (Pakistan, the United States' premier ally in the "war on terrorism," has laid down the agenda for the Bush administration for the next four years on what it expects in exchange for continued cooperation to hunt down al-Qaeda. On the menu is a slew of demands, ranging from continued economic aid to a generous flow of weapons. But above all is the expectation of a long-term relationship, especially in light of what Washington is building with India under the title of the "Next Steps in Strategic Partnership." Jehangir Karamat, Pakistan's new ambassador in Washington, wants no less. He, in fact, chose to dub his first public speech "Next Steps" too, articulating Pakistan's hopes and desires for a partnership that will endure beyond the capture of Osama bin Laden. "We seek sustained and enhanced engagement so that gains continue to be consolidated and pushed further," he said at a well-attended speech in Washington last week… Among other "musts" for Washington to carry out are a free-trade agreement, or alternative arrangements, and bilateral investment initiatives in Pakistan to "influence public opinion." "US support must continue to give us access to international financial institutions," Karamat added.)

5//ChinaDaily.com, China--PAKISTAN, CHINA SET UP FREE TRADE AREA (Chinese companies already account for an important part of foreign investment in Pakistan. About 500 foreign companies are now operating in Pakistan, 60 of which are Chinese. Many of these companies are operating in the public utilities and infrastructure sectors, such as mining, telecommunication and energy… Chinese companies already account for an important part of foreign investment in Pakistan… Nasir Hussain, the National Bank of Pakistan Beijing office's chief representative, offered an additional angle in commenting on the benefits for Chinese companies' investing in Pakistan. The bank is the nation's largest commercial bank. "Chinese companies can use Pakistan as a gateway for penetrating markets in Central Asian countries,'' he said. His bank already provided banking services to Chinese companies doing business in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Kyrgzstan. No Chinese banks have operations in this area.)

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1//The Telegraph, UK (Filed: 27/12/2004)
http://www.portal.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml...

BRITONS’ BELIEF IN GOD VANISHING AS RELIGION IS REPLACED BY APATHY
By Anthony King
Anthony King is professor of government at Essex University.

To say that Britain is rapidly becoming a godless country would be too strong, but a YouGov survey provides overwhelming evidence that the British are now a largely irreligious people.

Only a minority believe that God exists and almost everyone acknowledges that Britain is becoming an increasingly secular society.

There is little or no evidence of active hostility towards either religious people or religious beliefs.

Instead, the national mood appears to be one of benign indifference. Most people give the impression of regarding religion almost as a consumer good, one to be consumed by those who happen to have a taste for it.

A majority of people in 21st century Britain neither hopes nor fears for a life after death. Only about a third believes in Heaven, and even fewer in Hell and the Devil.

Marriage is no longer seen as a sacrament and even church weddings no longer find favour.

Moreover, the existing trend towards secularisation seems almost certain to continue. The incidence of religious belief has declined sharply in recent decades and young people today are significantly less religious than their elders.

More than a third of today's young people describe themselves as either agnostics or atheists. Among middle-aged people and the elderly, the figure is far smaller.

Yet tradition and a sense of "the fitness of things" still maintain their grip on the British imagination.

Even in this secular age, a substantial majority of people - including thousands of non-Christians and non-believers - believes that the Queen should remain head of the Church of England and Defender of the Faith.

(MORE)

2//The Independent, UK 26 December 2004
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=596067

ANTI-SLEAZE CONCERN AS MANDARINS GET TOP JOBS
By Francis Elliott, Deputy Political Editor

Tony Blair has been accused of secretly helping senior civil servants secure lucrative private sector jobs.

The Prime Minister has informally endorsed claims by a number of mandarins that their appointment is in the "national interest," The Independent on Sunday has been told.

A member of the anti-sleaze watchdog that vets applications by senior officials to move to the private sector today publicly called for the rules to be tightened.

Lord Maclennan, Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, said that the prospect of well-paid private sector jobs was "casting a long shadow" over the civil service.

The watchdog warned earlier this year that the "traffic" between Whitehall and the City was leading to a "heightened risk of impropriety" as retiring mandarins eyed big business opportunities.

Britain's most senior retiring public servants took up a total of 41 private sector jobs between April and the beginning of this month.

(SNIP)

Examples include:

* Lord Boyce, the former Chief of Defence Staff, recently began working with WS Atkins, Tricolom and Computer Sciences Ltd, all of which have extensive involvement with UK defence contracts.

* Sir Robert Walmsley, the MoD's former Chief of Defence Procurement, has added EDO Corporation, a US defence firm, to his portfolio of directorships that already includes General Dynamics.

(SNIP)

Nevertheless, there is growing unease at the number and type of appointments being made. "They come all the time," said one figure involved in monitoring the flow of senior officials to the private sector. "Often there is a suggestion, sometimes backed by Number 10, that it would be 'in the national interest' if such-and-such were to be allowed to take up the post."

Despite the concerns, Mr Blair moved in the summer to relax the rules. He appointed Sir Patrick Brown, a former mandarin now working in the City, to carry out an internal review to be completed by October.

RELATED:

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=596134

BLAIR QUIZZED OVER HOLIDAY AT HOME OF TOBACCO CHIEF

Parliament's anti-sleaze watchdog has asked Tony Blair to explain why he failed to declare a holiday with a businessman who was a powerful figure in the tobacco industry.

3//The Moscow Times, Russia Friday, December 24, 2004. Page 5.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2004/12/24/041.html

RUSSIA LIFTS VEIL ON DIAMOND SECRETS
Combined Reports

The government lifted the veil on Russia's production and trade in uncut diamonds for the first time on Thursday, paving the way for it to take the chair of a body charged with stamping out trade in so-called blood diamonds.

On Jan. 1 Russia is due to take over from Canada the chair of the Kimberley Process, which aims to keep track of diamonds to stop them being used to fund wars.

Moscow had to release production and export data, previously a state secret, before taking the position.

A Finance Ministry statement said Russia produced 17.763 million carats of uncut diamonds in the first half of this year worth $948 million, and 33.019 million carats worth $1.676 billion in the whole of 2003.

"Russia ranked first in the world by physical diamond output volumes in 2003, and second after Botswana by value of produced diamonds," the statement said.

"In 2003, Russia ranked second after the European Union by physical diamond exports volumes and first among the diamond-producing countries. It was the seventh-largest exporter by value."

(MORE)

4//Asia Times Online, Hong Kong Dec. 25, 2004
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/FL25Df01.html

PAKISTAN LAYS DOWN THE AGENDA FOR THE US
By Seema Sirohi

WASHINGTON - Pakistan, the United States' premier ally in the "war on terrorism," has laid down the agenda for the Bush administration for the next four years on what it expects in exchange for continued cooperation to hunt down al-Qaeda.

On the menu is a slew of demands, ranging from continued economic aid to a generous flow of weapons. But above all is the expectation of a long-term relationship, especially in light of what Washington is building with India under the title of the "Next Steps in Strategic Partnership."

Jehangir Karamat, Pakistan's new ambassador in Washington, wants no less. He, in fact, chose to dub his first public speech "Next Steps" too, articulating Pakistan's hopes and desires for a partnership that will endure beyond the capture of Osama bin Laden. "We seek sustained and enhanced engagement so that gains continue to be consolidated and pushed further," he said at a well-attended speech in Washington last week.

But what was noted by observers was the language he used to deliver the message. He sounded more like a teacher telling a pupil the level of performance he expected from the Americans, said diplomatic observers. He seemed to be drawing a clear parallel between payment and delivery, which led to questions whether the changes in policy that Pakistan has pursued post-September 11, 2001, have been made because they are good for Pakistan, or because they bring US arms and aid.

The administration of President George W Bush is currently in the process of dispensing US$3 billion in economic and military aid, apart from having written off nearly $2 billion in Pakistani debt. An arms package approved by Congress worth $1.2 billion includes eight P-3C naval reconnaissance planes, 2,000 TOW missiles, and other weapons, which has raised serious concerns in New Delhi because they counter specific Indian capabilities. New Delhi has told Washington that large-scale delivery of arms to Pakistan will jeopardize the composite dialogue between India and Pakistan.

But Karamat, a former chief of army staff, said that the US largess, both monetary and material, "must" continue. He turned India's reasons for opposing the weapons package on its head, arguing that it is the United States' "tilt" toward India that makes peace in South Asia elusive.

"The conventional defense capability must continue to be built up because an unacceptable tilt in the balance of power makes meaningful India-Pakistan dialogue difficult," Karamat declared.

Among other "musts" for Washington to carry out are a free-trade agreement, or alternative arrangements, and bilateral investment initiatives in Pakistan to "influence public opinion." "US support must continue to give us access to international financial institutions," Karamat added.

(MORE)


5//ChinaDaily.com, China Updated: 2004-12-26 11:01
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-12/26...

PAKISTAN, CHINA SET UP FREE TRADE AREA
(China Business Weekly)

China and Pakistan are poised to widen the silk road between them by building a free trade area (FTA).

For Pakistanis, it is mainly a "cotton road.''

Currently, 70 per cent of Pakistani exports to China are cotton yarn and cotton fabric.
However, the country is also keen to promote its other products ranging from mangoes to footballs.

During Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's visit to Beijing last month, a protocol was signed for the talks on the establishment of an FTA between the two nations, currently with an annual trade volume of around US$2.5 billion.

Negotiations will start in January and could be concluded within one year.

"I believe Pakistan and China will be very accommodating to each other in the FTA talks because of good relations between the two countries,'' Tariq Ikram, minister of state and chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau of Pakistan, told China Business Weekly in an interview.

"Pakistan will respect China's needs, and China will also respect ours. The negotiations will not be difficult.''

Chen Chao, an official with the International Trade Department of China's Ministry of Commerce, also said the relationship between the two nations is a very favourable factor for the FTA talks.

In economic terms, it would not be hard to obtain a win-win deal, he said.

"The difference between Chinese and Pakistani goods in bilateral trade is relatively big and the number of their competing goods is relatively small,'' he said in a written interview with China Business Weekly.

(SNIP)

Chinese companies already account for an important part of foreign investment in Pakistan. About 500 foreign companies are now operating in Pakistan, 60 of which are Chinese.

Many of these companies are operating in the public utilities and infrastructure sectors, such as mining, telecommunication and energy.

But an increasing number of Chinese consumer goods manufacturers are entering the country. White goods maker Haier is already there and so are Shenzhen-based telecommunications firm ZTE, Shanghai-based electronic maker SVA and a number of motorcycle companies from Chongqing.

Ikram said Pakistani industries -- including fishing, stone processing, automobiles, food processing, bicycles and gem stone cutting and polishing -- welcome foreign investments in particular.

(SNIP)

Nasir Hussain, the National Bank of Pakistan Beijing office's chief representative, offered an additional angle in commenting on the benefits for Chinese companies' investing in Pakistan. The bank is the nation's largest commercial bank.

"Chinese companies can use Pakistan as a gateway for penetrating markets in Central Asian countries,'' he said.

His bank already provided banking services to Chinese companies doing business in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Kyrgzstan. No Chinese banks have operations in this area.

(SNIP)

FTA was raised at a time when such trade arrangements are becoming increasingly popular and Pakistan stepped up its efforts to promote trade and investment.

China is holding FTA talks at different levels with countries in Southeast Asia, around the Gulf and in Latin America. Pakistan has signed an FTA agreement with Sri Lanka. It is discussing the same issue with Iran and Bangladesh.

(MORE)