| Le Monde diplomatique on Tue, 22 Feb 2000 01:26:40 +0100 (CET) |
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Le Monde diplomatique
-----------------------------------------------------
February 2000
LEADER
Chechnya in chaos *
by IGNACIO RAMONET
<http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/en/2000/02/01ramonet>
Translated by Ed Emery
AOL-TIME WARNER MERGER
Internet feeding frenzy
by DAN SCHILLER
Hype about the wonders of the "new economy" is flooding Europe from
the United States. This is supposed to break down social barriers
and change the status quo. Yet inequality is greater than ever. It
is the rich that are mainly profiting from expansion and the most
powerful economic groups that dominate. The AOL-Time Warner merger
is confirmation of this trend, aiming to turn the web into a giant
virtual supermarket in an endless pursuit of customers. The deal
threatens to erode the internet and, with it, the multiplicity and
independence of information sources.
Original text in English
Poacher turned gamekeeper
by IBRAHIM WARDE
Translated by Harry Forster
The cyberdamned *
by SERGE HALIMI
<http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/en/2000/02/04halimi>
Translated by Harry Forster
MILOSEVIC STILL IN THE SADDLE
West thwarts Serbian opposition *
by CATHERINE SAMARY
On 10 January the main Serbian opposition groups reached an
agreement to hold joint demonstrations, starting in March, in
favour of an early general election. In the event of victory, they
intend to form a coalition government committed to mending fences
with the West, ensuring equality between Serbia and Montenegro in
the Yugoslav Federation, restoring the rights of the national
communities and implementing the reforms required by the Balkan
stability pact. In Kosovo, the opposition's declared aim is ethnic
reconciliation, but it is demanding the return of the Yugoslav army
to the province. Nato's war has provoked a widespread "Iraqi
syndrome" in Serbia and it is by no means certain that the
opposition's new-found unity will suffice to topple Slobodan
Milosevic.
<http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/en/2000/02/05samary>
Translated by Barry Smerin
The real agenda for Kosovo
C. S.
Appendix B to the Rambouillet agreement has been much debated. It
gave Nato forces an unrestricted right of passage throughout the
territory of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Yet this was not
the clause Belgrade cited to justify its rejection of the
agreement. How come?
Translated by Barry Smerin
ROYAL ACTIVISM, IMMOBILE GOVERNMENT
Is Morocco really changing?
by ZAKYA DAOUD and KADER ABDERRAHIM
Doubts are beginning to be voiced about the changes that have
occurred in Morocco since the death of King Hassan II last July.
His successor, Mohammed VI, continues to stress his desire for
change and has initiated numerous reforms. But he has retained and
consolidated the crown's decisive role in management of the
country's affairs. In a constitutional monarchy this role should
belong to the government, currently led by the socialist
Abderrahmane Youssoufi. The situation is attracting more and more
criticism.
Translated by Harry Forster
WATER DISPUTES UNDERMINE PEACE TALKS
Drought in the Middle East
by CHRISTIAN CHESNOT
Negotiations between Israel and Syria have hit their first crisis.
Meanwhile, the Palestinians and Israelis continue to discuss
matters outstanding from the interim period (redeployment of
occupying forces, a second route between the Gaza Strip and the
West Bank, release of prisoners, etc.), with a view to reaching a
final settlement. The aim is to have a peace agreement in place by
13 September. But there are still many obstacles to be overcome,
notably the frequently underestimated factor of water.
Translated by Barbara Wilson
A COMMUNITY IN SEARCH OF ITS IDENTITY
Timid revival of Polish Jewry
by CÉCILE LIÈGE
According to popular belief Poland is an antisemitic country purged
of Jews. The truth is not so simple. Racism is declining and many
Polish Jews are openly reasserting their identity. After the
holocaust and the antisemitic campaigns of the communist regime,
the revival of Judaism is mainly taking a religious form. But some
Jews are looking for a more secular identity.
Translated by Barry Smerin
A PARADOXICAL ALLIANCE
Thailand taps Burma's rivers
by ANDRÉ and LOUIS BOUCAUD
The peaceful issue of the hostage crisis at the Burmese embassy in
Bangkok on 2 October outraged the junta in Rangoon, but three
months later the land border with Thailand reopened. Its closure,
which paralysed part of the Burmese economy, was a further example
of the stormy relations between the two neighbours, caught up in
increasingly close ties but conflicting economic interests.
Translated by Harry Forster
PRIVATISATION BECOMES PILLAGE
Fishing for gold in Colombia *
by MAURICE LEMOINE
Latin America is rich in examples of corruption associated with the
privatisation of the more promising state-run industries. In
Colombia it has led, with the active connivance of the politicians,
to the biggest white-collar hold-up in the country's history. This
has not prevented the International Monetary Fund, called in by
Bogota, from dictating a fresh round of restructuring - to be paid
for by the people - and recommending further privatisations.
<http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/en/2000/02/11lemoine>
Translated by Derry Cook-Radmore
DEMOCRACY IN A STRAITJACKET
American constitution above debate
by DANIEL LAZARE
In a few weeks the US primaries will have eliminated most of the
presidential hopefuls. But money and fame count more than
statements of policy. The economy is experiencing the longest
period of growth in its history - at the price of an equally
historic trade deficit. Yet the basic problems (political
corruption, record number of prison sentences and executions,
deepening of inequality) are absent from the debate. The
constitution, seen as sacred and unchangeable, contributes to the
general apathy.
Original text in English
OIL SLICKS AND DIVIDENDS
The maritime free-for-all
by LAURENT CARROUÉ
The wreck of the oil tanker Erika on 12 December 1999 was not an
unfortunate accident. It was entirely to be expected given the
ship's age and state of disrepair. The mad scramble for profits and
the irresponsibility of world shipping, hiding behind flags of
convenience, has created a realm of regulatory, technical and
social lawlessness. The abdication of responsibility by the
authorities, in particular the EU institutions and member states,
is having an intolerable impact on safety and the environment.
Translated by Malcolm Greenwood
ASIA IN TRANSITION
Party versus state in Vietnam
by PHILIPPE PAPIN
While Vietnam has not lost the peace, it has not won it either. The
economic change of direction which began to take shape in 1979 and
went full throttle in 1986 has not brought any major disruption to
production or to the country's political life. It has enabled it to
achieve self-sufficiency in food and, since 1989, to redirect its
trade flows for greater regional integration. But these relative
economic successes have not been matched by political
liberalisation, neither have they avoided the development of new
social inequalities. Like China, Vietnam must now confront the
question of government stability in the face of severe criticism
from the Communist Party.
Translated by Malcolm Greenwood
A new kind of capitalism
by MICHEL HERLAND
Translated by Julie Stoker
END OF THE ROAD FOR PHOTOJOURNALISM?
The tarnished image
by EDGAR ROSKIS
There is a serious crisis for photojournalism: the snapshot is in
its death throes, a victim of manipulation by computer technology.
It is in danger of disappearing altogether in the flood of images
now threatening to engulf us.
Translated by Barry Smerin
English language editorial director: Wendy Kristianasen
_________________________________________________________________
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