FWD: Le Monde Diplomatique, July 2001, English edition

Thu Jul 12 13:06:29 CDT 2001

Thema:    July 2001
Datum:  12.07.01 18:23:10 (MEZ) - Mitteleurop. Sommerzeit
From:   english at Monde-diplomatique.fr (Le Monde diplomatique)
To: english at Monde-diplomatique.fr (Le Monde diplomatique)

   Le Monde diplomatique 

                         -----------------------------------------------------

                                 July 2001

                               In this issue:
        ... riots in our city streets, widening protests in Algeria,
   Monsanto's new look, America bent on primacy, Madagascar's hard road,
               the belated fight against Aids... and more...

Algeria: the unforgiven

by IGNACIO RAMONET

                                             Translated by Harry Forster

       <http://www.en.monde-diplomatique.fr/2001/07/01leader>

RIOTS ON THE STREETS

The children of hatred *

by STÉPHANE BEAUD and MICHEL PIALOUX

     Last summer and this there have been riots in the streets and on
     urban estates in France and England, barely explained by the
     attendant media, yet clearly connected with angry young males, many
     of them second generation immigrants from former colonies, reacting
     to rightwing provocation or perceived police prejudice. The rioters
     very often are in work and have even achieved some prosperity. So
     what is happening?

                                             Translated by Harry Forster

COLD WAR GOVERNMENT WITH NO WAR TO FIGHT

America's imperial longings *

by our special correspondent PHILIP S GOLUB

     US President George W Bush made his first official visit abroad
     this summer. Europe was his chosen destination, but he decided not
     to stop in London, Paris or Berlin. The transatlantic climate has
     been chilly in recent months, with differences on the death penalty
     and the environment (especially the Kyoto protocol) and muted
     disagreement on the revival of a strategic defence initiative that
     threatens the treaties on disarmament signed with Moscow. The
     Republicans' loss of their majority in the Senate could diminish
     their control over foreign policy. But one aspect of Washington's
     programme will remain intact: while public spending is about to
     feel the effects of slowing growth and tax cuts, the defence budget
     is set to rise.

                                            Translated by Barbara Wilson

America's military revolution

by MICHAEL T KLARE

     The Bush administration is shifting the direction of US strategic
     thinking. Priority will be given to the technological race and to
     the development and deployment of flexible, hi-tech forces capable
     of intervening anywhere in the world, to ensure the lasting primacy
     of US armed forces.

                                                Original text in English

       <http://www.en.monde-diplomatique.fr/2001/07/04america2>

REGIONALISM IS AN ADMISSION OF DEFEAT

Algeria: only way up and out *

by GHANIA MOUFFOK

     The revolt by angry young Algerians started in Kabylia and then
     spread to other parts of the country despite countermeasures that
     claimed 100 lives. They, and other Algerians, reject the corrupt,
     arrogant clique clinging to power. Recent summit-meeting statements
     suggest Europe may finally have perceived the realities, too.

                                             Translated by Harry Forster

NEW MONSANTO AND GMO PROPAGANDA

Seeds of irreversible change *

by AGNÈS SINAI

     Multinationals like Monsanto are facing real grassroots opposition
     in the world, especially over agro-chemicals and GMOs. Monsanto has
     led the big corporations towards diversionary tactics: they have
     issued codes of conduct and ethical charters to conceal their real
     objective of creating value for their shareholders. They are
     promoting their products as cures for third world hunger and
     disease, and as an alternative to the dangers of pesticides. They
     hope to win over a hostile public with advertising.

                                         Translated by Malcolm Greenwood

SOUTHERN SICKNESS, NORTHERN MEDICINE

Patently wrong

by PHILIPPE RIVIÈRE

     After years of lethargy the international community has declared
     war on Aids. Following a special session of the UN in June and the
     G8 summit in July, a fund will be set up by the end of the year.
     But the agreement being negotiated with the pharmaceutical industry
     may fail to provide much-needed care for millions in the South.

                                         Translated by Malcolm Greenwood

       <http://www.en.monde-diplomatique.fr/2001/07/07aids>

NEW OFFENSIVE AGAINST INTELLECTUALS

Hungary: we have the brainpower *

by our special correspondent BRIGITTE PÄTZOLD

     Many of Hungary's intellectuals are desperately poor and have to
     take several jobs; they are under pressure from the government of
     Victor Orban, who is encouraging nationalists and flirting with the
     far right.

                                                  Translated by Ed Emery

A TOUR OF THE BIG ISLAND

Madagascar: hard road to the poor south *

by our special correspondent PHILIPPE LEYMARIE

     Elections for governors were held on 10 June in the six provinces
     of Madagascar, one of the world's poorest nations. The provinces
     hope for benefits from new powers of autonomy that have been
     granted by the national constitution. The reforms are meant to
     bridge the gap between ordinary Madagascans and the government's
     decision-makers, and to stimulate economic growth in regions far
     from the caprices of the capital city. But little has changed yet
     in the provinces.

                                             Translated by Luke Sandford

AFTER THE TROOPS WITHDRAW, DEEP DEBT

Lebanon: more peace but no plenty *

by RUDOLF AL-KAREH

     Most Syrian troops have withdrawn from Beirut and the surrounding
     area without official remark. Lebanese politicians have been openly
     critical of Syria's military presence, especially since Israel's
     withdrawal from south Lebanon. But ordinary Lebanese are more
     concerned with the economy.

                                        Translated by Wendy Kristianasen

ISRAEL OR PALESTINE: WHO TEACHES WHAT HISTORY?

A textbook case

by ELISA MORENA

     The Israelis have withdrawn from the school curriculum a textbook
     giving a balanced view of the nation's history, only a few months
     after international media accused the Palestinian Authority of
     using anti-semitic schoolbooks. These did have omissions, but their
     real error was to refute Israel's version of Palestinian history.

                                        Translated by Wendy Kristianasen

       <http://www.en.monde-diplomatique.fr/2001/07/11textbook>

BACKDOOR MANOEUVRES

I'm a cybercriminal. So jail me. *

by PHILIPPE UAÉUQ

     When internet problems are raised, racism, paedophilia and
     terrorism are talked about - and, in the same breath, counterfeit
     and piracy. A worldwide debate on intellectual property is under
     way. Why does the Council of Europe's proposed convention on
     cybercrime seek to criminalise infringements of intellectual
     property rights?

                                                  Translated by Ed Emery

     _________________________________________________________________

     (*) Star-marked articles are available to paid subscribers only.

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Kurt-Werner Pörtner