February 9, 2005

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 FEBRUARY 9, 2005

1//The Independent, UK--UK ‘MUST SEEK BIGGER REWARD FOR US SUPPORT’ (Tony Blair came under pressure from senior MPs yesterday to get a bigger payback from the United States for his "shoulder-to-shoulder" support for President George Bush. During a two-and-a-half-hour grilling by the Commons Liaison Committee of MPs, the Prime Minister was urged to press the US to match Britain's backing in Iraq by acting on issues such as climate change; poverty and debt; Africa; the Darfur crisis and the International Criminal Court. Tony Baldry, Tory chairman of the International Development Committee, said: "We have to make it clear to the United States we expect them to be among the coalition of the concerned and support us as much as we support them.")

2//The Daily Star, Lebanon--KUWAIT SECURITY FEARS MAY DAMAGE LONG TERM ECONOMY (The recent spate of violence in Kuwait is not expected to have much effect on the emirate's booming economy in the short term, but if clashes continue with Islamist militants, mega projects and foreign investment could be affected, economists said Tuesday. Security forces have fought vicious gun battles with Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist gunmen killing eight of them and capturing at least 14 others over the past month. Four police officers were also killed and 10 others wounded. "If the clashes were to end at this point, their impact on the domestic economy would be very small," Kuwaiti economist Hajjaj Bukhdur said. "But if the incidents continue, they will have adverse consequences, especially on foreign investments," which Kuwait is trying hard to lure for a number of multi-billion-dollar projects, he said…"Kuwait is in the middle of a major economic liberalization drive. It needs foreign technology and investments. Security concerns may cause foreign companies to be hesitant," said Rula Dashti, chairwoman of Kuwait Economic Society…Kuwait has been working hard to become the main gateway for Iraq's reconstruction and any instability "might force foreign companies to search for other countries" from which to operate, Dashti said.)

3//The Moscow Times, Russia--BENEFITS PROTESTS ARE PLANNED IN 50 CITIES (A loose coalition of Communists, trade unions, human rights groups and other nongovernmental organizations have said they will hold nationwide protests on Thursday and Saturday against the government's controversial benefits reform…Last month, tens of thousands of angry pensioners took to the streets in largely spontaneous protests after losing their entitlement to a range of benefits, including free rides on public transportation, in return for meager cash compensation.

In most regions, rattled local authorities have restored free or subsidized transportation for pensioners, or have pledged to do so, while the federal government has rushed to raise regional subsidies and pensions by a total of $4 billion to smooth the impact of the reform. The organizers of the nationwide protests will urge the Kremlin to hold a nationwide referendum to freeze implementation of the law, which took effect Jan. 1, until the law can be amended to protect benefit recipients' living standards.)

4//The Toronto Star, Canada--CANADA MAY BUY KYOTO CREDITS: GOODALE (Canada's plan for implementing the Kyoto protocol may include investments abroad provided they achieve real cuts in greenhouse gases and aren't just "hot air," Finance Minister Ralph Goodale suggested today…"There are some international projects that may well be valuable to the global community and can bring benefits from the Canadian point of view as well," Goodale said. The Kyoto treaty provides mechanisms by which rich countries can earn credits by funding emissions-cutting projects in poorer countries, or by supplying technology for such projects. Critics fear Ottawa will use those mechanisms to avoid tough action at home. Russia has a large bank of "hot air" credits to sell because its economy has shrunk since 1990, the baseline year for the Kyoto treaty… Under the Kyoto treaty, Canada is supposed to cut greenhouse emissions six per cent from 1990 levels by 2012, but emissions have actually grown 20 per cent since 1990, leading many to conclude the target is unrealistic.)

5//Periodico26.cu, Cuba--ECONOMISTS ADDRESS OLD AND NEW WORLD ECONOMIC CHALLENGES (We are confronting a tsunami of neo-liberal globalization, said South African economist Yash Tandon, speaking before economists from around the globe gathered at the seventh International Conference on Globalization and Problems of Development. The assembly, underway in Havana, is designed to foster the exchange of views on old and new economic issues affecting today's world…Tandon called for the implementation of integration efforts -such as the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas- the mobilization of nations to counter imperial policies, and the creation of progressive alliances at the global and regional levels…The seventh International Conference on Globalization and Problems of Development, running until Friday, is being attended by over 1,200 delegates from some 40 nations and 15 international organizations.)

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1//The Independent, UK 09 February 2005
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=609200

UK ‘MUST SEEK BIGGER REWARD FOR US SUPPORT’
By Andrew Grice, Political Editor

Tony Blair came under pressure from senior MPs yesterday to get a bigger payback from the United States for his "shoulder-to-shoulder" support for President George Bush.

During a two-and-a-half-hour grilling by the Commons Liaison Committee of MPs, the Prime Minister was urged to press the US to match Britain's backing in Iraq by acting on issues such as climate change; poverty and debt; Africa; the Darfur crisis and the International Criminal Court.

Tony Baldry, Tory chairman of the International Development Committee, said: "We have to make it clear to the United States we expect them to be among the coalition of the concerned and support us as much as we support them."

Mr Blair replied: "I do not agree that there is a sort of quid pro quo here. I happen to be part of the coalition with America in respect of Afghanistan and Iraq because I believe in it on its own terms."

He said he was optimistic that the US would back Britain's call for action on climate change.

Mr Blair announced that the Government would publish a timeline for US and British forces to withdraw from Iraq after a review by the retired US general Gary Luck, who has produced a draft report seen as a possible "exit strategy".

(MORE)

2//The Daily Star, Lebanon Wednesday, February 09, 2005
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=...

KUWAIT SECURITY FEARS MAY DAMAGE LONG TERM ECONOMY
Continuation of terror will undermine investment
Gulf Arab state set for the highest income in 30 years with economic reports predicting a surplus of over $10 billion

By Paul Cochrane, Daily Star staff with Agencies

BEIRUT: The recent spate of violence in Kuwait is not expected to have much effect on the emirate's booming economy in the short term, but if clashes continue with Islamist militants, mega projects and foreign investment could be affected, economists said Tuesday.

Security forces have fought vicious gun battles with Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist gunmen killing eight of them and capturing at least 14 others over the past month. Four police officers were also killed and 10 others wounded.

"If the clashes were to end at this point, their impact on the domestic economy would be very small," Kuwaiti economist Hajjaj Bukhdur said.

"But if the incidents continue, they will have adverse consequences, especially on foreign investments," which Kuwait is trying hard to lure for a number of multi-billion-dollar projects, he said.

Kuwait breathed a sigh of relief following the ouster of Saddam Hussein in neighboring Iraq in April 2003 and has since embarked on an ambitious economic reform program fuelled by record revenues and surplus.

The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq was coupled with Kuwait enjoying the most optimistic economic indicators since the first oil boom of the 1970s, boasting some $21.5 billion of surplus in five consecutive fiscal years since 1999/2000.

The Gulf Arab state is set for its highest income in 30 years in the current fiscal year that ends on March 31, with economic reports predicting a surplus of more than $10 billion.

In the middle of its second major economic boom thanks to high oil prices and output, Kuwait has announced plans for mega projects worth several dozen billion dollars which need foreign expertise and funds.

The projects aim to modernize the emirate's lifeline oil industry and boost production capacity to four million barrels per day (bpd) by 2020 from the current 2.6 million bpd at a cost of about $40 billion.

(SNIP)

"Kuwait is in the middle of a major economic liberalization drive. It needs foreign technology and investments. Security concerns may cause foreign companies to be hesitant," said Rula Dashti, chairwoman of Kuwait Economic Society.

The security issue "could also affect repatriation of Kuwaiti private funds from abroad," which have helped the ongoing boom, Dashti said.

Bukhdur said the Kuwaiti bourse, which has made spectacular gains since the U.S.-led overthrow of Saddam Hussein, is not expected to be influenced by the clashes due to solid economic fundamentals in the emirate.

"The main concern now is that the execution of those mega projects could be delayed. They have already been delayed enough," due to fears of former occupier Saddam Hussein and a slow decision-making process, economist Bukhdur said.

A parliamentary panel began Tuesday to debate the government-sponsored Project Kuwait to develop four oilfields in the north of the country with the help of international oil firms.

The project has been stalled for a decade due to fears in Parliament that national wealth could fall into foreign hands. As a result, its cost has increased from $7 billion to about $12 billion, Bukhdur said.

Kuwait has been working hard to become the main gateway for Iraq's reconstruction and any instability "might force foreign companies to search for other countries" from which to operate, Dashti said.

"Kuwait was relieved of security fears after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Now these fears are domestic, which is more difficult. ... But if it ends here, things will return to normal. I am confident Kuwait will be able to defeat this scourge."

3//The Moscow Times, Russia Wednesday, February 9, 2005. Page 3.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/02/09/011.html

BENEFITS PROTESTS ARE PLANNED IN 50 CITIES
By Oksana Yablokova, Staff Writer

A loose coalition of Communists, trade unions, human rights groups and other nongovernmental organizations have said they will hold nationwide protests on Thursday and Saturday against the government's controversial benefits reform.

Rallies against the monetization of benefits will be held in a total of 50 cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Arkhangelsk, Astrakhan, Tomsk, Perm and Barnaul, a city in southern Siberia, where about 1,000 pensioners rallied Monday, said Oleg Shein, a State Duma deputy with the nationalist Rodina party.

The majority of protests will be held Saturday, but in some regions rallies are planned for Thursday in front of regional government and United Russia party offices, he said.

Shein also leads a small trade union confederation affiliated with the Council of Public Solidarity, a group of NGOs and independent trade unions formed last year to oppose the reform.

United Russia deputies voted unanimously for the controversial benefits bill last summer, helping it sail through the chamber.

Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov said Monday that the faction would oppose a no-confidence vote in Mikhail Fradkov's government due to be held Wednesday.

Last month, tens of thousands of angry pensioners took to the streets in largely spontaneous protests after losing their entitlement to a range of benefits, including free rides on public transportation, in return for meager cash compensation.

In most regions, rattled local authorities have restored free or subsidized transportation for pensioners, or have pledged to do so, while the federal government has rushed to raise regional subsidies and pensions by a total of $4 billion to smooth the impact of the reform.

The organizers of the nationwide protests will urge the Kremlin to hold a nationwide referendum to freeze implementation of the law, which took effect Jan. 1, until the law can be amended to protect benefit recipients' living standards.

(SNIP)

A number of human rights groups are joining the rallies to protest what they say are the government's anti-social policies.

"Human rights groups were the first to point out the negative consequences of the law when it was debated in the Duma last summer," said Lev Ponomaryov, head of the For Human Rights group.

(MORE)

4//The Toronto Star, Canada Feb. 8, 2005. 05:20 PM
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thesta

CANADA MAY BUY KYOTO CREDITS: GOODALE
Canadian Press

OTTAWA — Canada's plan for implementing the Kyoto protocol may include investments abroad provided they achieve real cuts in greenhouse gases and aren't just "hot air," Finance Minister Ralph Goodale suggested today.

Goodale told the Commons environment committee that there will be new money for Kyoto in the Feb. 23 federal budget, as well as tax changes to promote alternative fuels and energy-conserving behaviour.

Touching on what has emerged as one of the most controversial points in the Kyoto debate, he hinted that some funds might go to emissions-cutting efforts in foreign countries.

"There are some international projects that may well be valuable to the global community and can bring benefits from the Canadian point of view as well," Goodale said.

The Kyoto treaty provides mechanisms by which rich countries can earn credits by funding emissions-cutting projects in poorer countries, or by supplying technology for such projects.

Critics fear Ottawa will use those mechanisms to avoid tough action at home. Russia has a large bank of "hot air" credits to sell because its economy has shrunk since 1990, the baseline year for the Kyoto treaty.

Goodale promised that hot air is not in the plan. "It does not meet the credibility test."

He said there are credible international projects that Canada would consider.

But, he said: "We want our emphasis on projects in Canada that change things on the ground."

The Kyoto treaty takes legal effect on Feb. 16 but Canadians will have to await the Feb. 23 budget to learn the main components of the federal plan.

(SNIP)

Under the Kyoto treaty, Canada is supposed to cut greenhouse emissions six per cent from 1990 levels by 2012, but emissions have actually grown 20 per cent since 1990, leading many to conclude the target is unrealistic.

Goodale insisted Ottawa will meet the target.

5//Periodico26.cu, Cuba February 8, 2005
http://www.periodico26.cu/english_new/cuba/political080205.htm

ECONOMISTS ADDRESS OLD AND NEW WORLD ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
Havana, Feb 8 (AIN) We are confronting a tsunami of neo-liberal globalization, said South African economist Yash Tandon, speaking before economists from around the globe gathered at the seventh International Conference on Globalization and Problems of Development. The assembly, underway in Havana, is designed to foster the exchange of views on old and new economic issues affecting today's world.

We need to find ways to prevent these tsunamis from impacting the less developed nations, said the African economist, who cited Cuba as an example of a country where the population is protected.

Tandon called for the implementation of integration efforts -such as the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas- the mobilization of nations to counter imperial policies, and the creation of progressive alliances at the global and regional levels.
Likewise, Malaysian Jomo Kwame Sundaram, the United Nations Undersecretary General for Social and Economic Affairs, strongly criticized Washington's unilateral trade liberalization policies.

In his presentation titled "Beyond Washington's Consensus, Globalization and Unequal Development" the Malaysian participant said the application of the free-market model has failed to achieve promised economic growth, while only widening the gap between the rich and poor.

(SNIP)

The seventh International Conference on Globalization and Problems of Development, running until Friday, is being attended by over 1,200 delegates from some 40 nations and 15 international organizations.

Copyright 2005, Gloria R. Lalumia