Feature Articles
2003 -04
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28th November For the tenth year in a row the EU's Court of Auditors has refused to sign off the European Union's accounts. The report found that the accounts were even more open to fraud this year than previously Several thousand trade unionists today thronged the streets of Brussels’ "EU district" as the Council of Ministers and European Commission met to discuss the proposed Directive on Services in the Internal Market. Colombian human rights groups to hold hearing at European Parliament EU divided over list of "safe countries of origin" Pro-neutrality group seeks partners in campaign against Irish Constitution Siege of Falluja provokes angry response in Stockholm 20th November Barroso wins strong backing from European Parliament The euro carries far more baggage than some of its supporters would like to admit, argues Professor Arjo Klamer. Moreover, its undesirable effects will be institutionalised if the proposed constituition is adopted. The Global Day of Justice/20th Anniversary of Bhopal: Remembering the dead, fighting for the living. The World Social Forum in 2005 will take place in Porto Alegre. War crimes continue in Iraq 12th November The left in Europe reacted with sadness to the death of President Yasser Arafat which happened early this morning at a hospital in Paris, expressing sorrow over the loss, solidarity with his grieving people, and fears for the future of the so-called Road Map peace process. Read More Attempts to question Bush victory continue A major task facing trade unions, left parties and other workers' organisations is the defeat of the so-called Bolkestein Directive - the proposal on "Services in the Internal Market" which represents a major assault on some of the most important gain of the last century. Euro-MP Marco Rizzo explains why it must be opposed. Two exhibitions of photographs by freelance writer and photographer David Bacon are currently on show. British citizens protest their armed forces' illegal occupation of Iraq 7th November "I know you don't want to hear it. You can't face one more hung chad. But I don't have a choice. As a journalist examining that messy sausage called American democracy, it's my job to tell you who got the most votes in the deciding states. Tuesday, in Ohio and New Mexico, it was John Kerry." Greg Pallast reports The criteria for a "free and fair" election are routinely violated in the U.S. in countless way writes Victor Wallis 1st November Is European Division Really Over? by Boris Kagarlitsky 20th October Should the negotiations for Turkey's adhesion to the Union start or not? This is the doubt that preoccupies the current European debate. By Miguel Portas, MEP The 3rd Asia Pacific International Solidarity Conference will bring together activists from the Asia-Pacific region and around the world, and activists from across Australia engaged in all solidarity, antiwar, and progressive struggles. Read More Not In My Name. Video review 16th October US citizen John Manning introduces a recent editorial from the daily newspaper of the Japanese Communist Party and draws some interesting comparisons between his country and theirs 9th October TweedleKerry, TweedleBush: US voters face choice which is no choice, argues Dutch MP, Harry van Bommel US State Department Ideologues Clamp Down on Open Dialogue by Gabriel Espinoza Gonzalez 2nd October Transforming Europe into a Special Economic Zone: The EU's Services Directive by Thomas Fritz A Milestone in the Global Struggle against Injustice and War by Walden Bello Beslam was not only a tragedy, but the trigger event to a predictable new world order realignment argues Miguel Portas, MEP 25th September Ken Coates explains the background to the growing European Social Forum movement, soon to be held in London. Germany’s Party of Democratic Socialists explains why thousands of the Bundesrepublik’s citizens are taking to the streets. 18th September An overview of Africa’s postcolonial underdevelopment. Erik Meijer, MEP, discusses alternatives to the IMF-imposed distorted development which afflicts the continent. Political centralisation, economic liberalisation, austerity policy and militarization - not much left for the left in EU's constitution, says Jonas Sjöstedt, MEP The 2004 Elections - A Turning Point for the U.S. Left by Eric Mann. Revewed by Ted Glick 10th September Milosevic is not the only one who should be before the International Court argues Jim Addington Heather Wokusch looks back at the attack on the World Trade Center and wonders who was really responsible 5th September Help Venezuela break down social apartheid by Paul-Emile Dupret John Boyd argues that the proposed new EU constitution would do nothing to win back and safeguard trade union rights for British workers. 27th August A massive “no” in the referendum which the Netherlands’ government has promised to hold early next year would be good for Europe, argues Dutch Socialist MP Harry van Bommel. Venezuela's referendum resolves leadership crisis, but fails to reconcile the country’s polarized society, by Mark Scott Iraq's labour upsurge wins support from US unions by David Bacon 20th August The Why & How of European Economic Integration: A Brief Guide by Robert Hosking. EU - Mercosur Free Trade Pact, by Matt Singer Revolutionaries in the European Parliament: Alain Krivine and Roseline Vachetta give an account of their five years in Brussels, Strasbourg and beyond. 10th August Paul Dupret reports on the 30 hours of humiliating treatment he was subjected to at the hands of US immigration police. 28th July Editorial: Steve McGiffen surveys the scene at the European Parliament now that a new batch of MEPs is preparing to carry forward the business-led EU project. The Balkans - Alfred Mendes looks at a region of instability which is in danger of being forgotten. 25th July In Japan, as in the US and other western countries, the proposed wars for world empire are a central issue and the military still have the upper hand, writes John Manning 16th July Some of the electoral right-wing extremist and right-wing anti-immigrant/ populist parties that stood in the European elections turned out to be amongst the biggest losers, piling up derisory votes and percentages in country after country. Graeme Atkinson reports Netherlands Economics Minister Laurens-Jan Brinkhorst is constantly harping on about Europe’s poor economic performance relative to the US. This is a completely inaccurate picture designed to soften the Dutch people up for savage attacks on their social security and welfare system, argues Dutch Socialist Party leader Jan Marijnissen. 10th July Should Portuguese MEPs vote yes to Barroso? asks Miguel Portas John Manning looks at the crucial foreign policy issue affecting Sunday’s Japanese election Contemporary Political Concepts, A Critical Introduction, edited by Georgina Blakeley and Valerie Bryson. Reviewed by Robert Hosking Torture Incorporated, Oliver North Joins the Party by John Stanton and Wayne Madsen 3rd July In Colombia, the United States is deeply involved in a war between the government and the military, who are supported by various paramilitaries, and the leftist armies of the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), writes Jacob Quintanilla. Many questions about Iraq, but few answers by Jim Addington The fifth part of our series on EU governance by Robert Hosking 26th June "The capstone of a European Federal State" was how Belgian Prime Minster Guy Verhofstadt described the EU Constitution following its agreement on Friday, 18th June, writes Anthony Coughlan of the Irish National Platform. In response, the National Platform, which intends to produce a more detailed analysis in the coming weeks, has prepared this brief commentary. Paul van Buitenen, the man who brought the European Commission to its knees is back to torment its successors. Taking a Closer Look at Washington's Anti-Aristide Game Plan for Haiti. Kirstin Kramer reports. Via Campesina is an international organisation bringing together small farmers and rural workers from many countries in both South and North. It met earlier this month to discuss its activities, exchange experiences and ideas and determine future actions. 18th June Brian Denny highlights the dangerous contradictions in the EU which make a mockery of claims about flourishing harmony. Jessica Leigh reports on the replacement of former Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide and the simultaneous arrival of a contingent of U.S. Marines in this war-torn country for the second time in ten years, an event that there is good reason to believe represented the thirty-third coup in Haiti's bitter history. Alfred Mendes reports on British government plans to introduce identity cards to its citizens and the crucial role of top-secret military research firm/organisation, ‘QinetiQ’ in the scientific/technical aspects of this objective. What sort of sovereignty for Iraq after 30th June? Can the American leopard change its spots? Jim Addington reports 13th June Linda Kaucher warns that a new EU "liberalisation" plan is an attack on democracy that threatens quality public services. The death of Reagan: Spectrezine presents our readers with a round-up of 'tributes'. The Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal is just the iceberg’s tip of Geneva Convention violations by the United States, and closer inspection could send Bush Jr., Bush Sr., not to mention Bill Clinton, straight to the courtroom docks, reports Heather Wokusch 6th June The political status of the European Union. Robert Hosking America’s seemingly irrational tactics/behaviour in Iraq can best be fathomed by a closer look at its role in Post-World War 2, which had resulted in the openly-deep rift between it and the USSR - known as ‘The Cold War', writes Alfred Mendes. 30th May The Bush government has made clear its intent to recapture Cuba, subjugate its people and control its government and is calling in all the servile governments it controls to help it writes John Manning. The Abu Ghraib portraits of sexual humiliation and submission have exposed the tangled strands of racism, misogyny, homophobia, national arrogance and hyper-masculinity that characterize the U.S. military writes Linda Burnham The tortures at Abu Ghraib have exposed to the world the utter moral bankruptcy of Bush's war. Far from being fought on behalf of Iraqi democracy, it is a war for U.S. supremacy in which racist dehumanization and brutalization of Arabs and Muslims play an absolutely central role. Bob Wing reports 24th May Erik Meijer and René Roovers, two candidates on the European Parliament election list of the Netherlands’ left wing Socialist Party, doubt whether the European Union can be democratised. Yet, they argue, three simple reforms could at least make the system a little more responsive to the wishes of ordinary voters and the people whom they elect. David McReynolds considers the lessons of the public beheading of Nicolas Berg. When voters went to the polls in South Korea on April 15, they performed an electoral miracle, impeaching president Roh. The Uri Party, which tripled its share, now commands a majority in parliament, with the renascent Democratic Labor party to its left. John Feffer reports 16th May When Hector Mondragon was in military custody, he was tortured on the orders of a Colombian officer trained by the US Army at the School of the Americas. Training manuals in use at the time advocated the torture, execution, and imprisonment of people who support “union organizing or recruiting”. Sean Donahue reports. Ten years have passed since the armed Zapatista uprising in Chiapas in 1994, and to everyone In Mexico, regardless of their political affiliations or level of involvement in politics, the year constitutes a watershed. Spectre reports Robert Hosking looks at the role of the EU's only directly elected decision-making body and asks whether it really does anything to make the Union more democratic. Letters to Spectrezine from: War Times and P Radhakrishnan 7th May Iraq: A Deepening Tragedy by David McReynolds The US and UN face growing chaos in occupied Iraq. Jim Addington looks at the current situation. Letter: 'Electronic vote-rigging in the U.S.A - Alfred Mendes 1st May The Nation State, Sovereignty and the European Union Negroponte nominated as US ambassador to Iraq: the worsed man for the job. Larry Birns and Jenna Wright report James Petras and Henry Veltmeyer Globalisation Unmasked: Imperialism in the 21st Century (London, Zed Books, 2002) Reviewed by P Radhakrishnan 24th April 17th April Dahr Jamail reports from Falluja International call for an independent assembly of the Iraqi people 10th April Robert Hosking looks at how European Union law works and at whose interests it serves. The United Nations and the legacy of Kosovo, by Jim Addington 3rd April President Bush's energy policy puts profits before safety, writes Heather Wokusch El Salvador - crucial elections won by the right... with a little bit of help from Reich and Noriega - by Frank Kendrik 27th March David Mcreynolds, of the Socialist Party USA, considers the implications of the murder of Sheik Ahmed Yassin. 20th March Report from El Salvador's elections By Joe De Raymond Edward Herman and David Peterson examine the work of Marlise Simons in her coverage of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia for the New York Times. 13th March The Strange Illusion of a "Social Europe" by Erik Meijer The United States Project for Global Hegemony: The Workers' Party of Ireland gives an analysis of the origins and results of Bush and Blair's war on Iraq. 29th February Yifat Susskind reports on the political crisis in Haiti in which Members of an armed movement are seeking to overthrow Haiti's President, Jean-Bertrand Aristide. European political parties: Steve McGiffen reports on the latest move to undermine democratic norms within the EU. 20th February If the first casualty of war is truth, then the War on Terror has dealt a body blow to those trying to get at the bottom of the story: journalists. Heather Wokusch reports on press freedom under fire. Joseph E. Stiglitz on globalisation. Reviewed by László Andor. 13th February Global warming: not just another issue, argues Ted Glick Haiti: Larry Birns and Jessica Leight look at the island's gathering storm. 6th February Francis E. Andrews reports on the project to develop alternative European economic policies. Is Néstor Kirchner the man to bring back prosperity and independence to what was once Latin America’s richest country? Jedediah Briggs of the US-based Council on Hemispheric Affairs looks at the record of the man who has given Argentines reason to hope. 30th January Czech Communists oppose the immediate Formation of a European Left Party. Ken Biggs reports. Wayne Hall reports on the deadlock between environmental NGOs and the US government with respect to the dangers of global warming. 25th January All over the world, parliamentary systems are being emptied of their democratic content, the most blatant of these attacks on democracy occuring in the United States. The latest involves the introduction of a computerised voting system which is easy to rig and virtually impossible to monitor. As Alfred Mendes reports, this has a long and dishonourable history in American politics. Final declaration of fourth World Parliamentary Forum, Mumbai, India, January 19, 2004 16th January A strong and opinionated Canada is a powerful counterbalance to US intransigence, argued Heather Wokusch recently in a commentary for CBC Radio Canada. James & Kenneth Collier - Votescam: The Stealing of America Reviewed by Alfred Mendes Letter: Victor Wallis updates Soectre on the incarceration of Richard Flood 9th January 'Cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment': Jim Addington reports on the imprisonment of 14 foreign nationals resident in Britain, without charge and without any term to their detention. The recent spectacle of George W. Bush paraded through the streets of London to celebrate the 'Special Relationship' raises the question of what is special about it? Ian Williams reports 26th December Power struggle in El Salvador: The FMLN could stop the neo-liberals. by Thomas Johansen The capture of Saddam is nothing more than a distraction, a prop used to bolster sagging White House ratings, writes Heather Wokusch 12 December US occupation forces in Iraq escalated their efforts to paralyze Iraq's new labour unions with a series of arrests this weekend. David Bacon reports. 5th December The occupation of Iraq is much more than the suicide bombings and guerrilla ambushes of U.S. troops which play nightly across U.S. television screens. Every day the economic policies of the occupying authorities create more hunger among Iraq's working people, transforming them into a pool of low-wage, semi-employed labour, desperate for jobs at almost any price. Three drafts for a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, or Palestinian people, have been drawn up in as many years: the Gush Shalom Peace Proposal (2001, the Ayalon-Nusseibeh Statement of Principles (2002) and the Geneva Initiative (2003). Israeli peace actvist Adam Keller takes us through them point by point. 30th November Rigged elections and the blatant disregard of constitutional rights are the most visible manifestations of the erosion of democratic norms in the USA. Russell Mokhiber and Robert Weissman report on what happened when people tried to protest against plans for a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Despite massive attempts to intimidate the organisers, the Sydney Peace Prize was presented recently to the Palestinian activist Hanan Ashrawi. Chandra Muzaffar of the International Movement for a Just World looks at what lies behind the demonisation of Arabs and Muslims, and how they should react to it. Is Alejandro Toledo destined to join a growing group of has-been presidents, including de la Rua of Argentina, Mahuad of Ecuador and Sánchez de Lozada of Bolivia? Robert Altro of the Council for Hemispheric Affairs looks at his chances. 22nd November George Anthony on the 'Blair-Brown duel' John Manning on the Japanese elections. Self-determination struggle in the Western Sahara continues to challenge the UN reports Stephen Zunes 14th November The case of Martijans Bekasovs and Latvian “democracy” A military constitution for the European Union? Tobias Pfluger of the German-based Informationsstelle Militarisierung analyses the draft EU constitution and proposes a European campaign to oppose it. The UN no longer has a 'vital role' in Iraq, reports Jim Addington November 11 is Armistice Day in Europe and “Veterans’ Day” in the United States. Heather Wokusch argues that the occasion should give pause not only for reflection, but for examination of what is going on right now, 85 years after the “War to end all wars” ground to a blood-stained, mud-spattered halt. 8th November Japanese elections: Communist Party offers anti-war, pro-people alternative, reports John Manning Abstinence, Aggression and the Bush White House: Bush's sexual prudishness is no secret - and neither is its love of war. Could the two be connected? Heather Wokusch investigates. 31st October Editorial: Danish can ban The case against the EU constitution by Erik Meijer, MEP In a parliamentary debate last month, Suvi-Anne Siimes, leader of the Finnish Left Alliance, gave her party’s response to the proposed EU Constitution. 24th October At last year's parliamentary election, the Slovak Communists surprised almost everyone by winning 11 seats in the country's 150-member National Council or parliament. The Czech communist daily Halo Noviny recently published this interview with Jozef Shevc, chairman of the Communist Party of Slovakia's Central Committee. Peace and security: Japanese Communists respond to a dangerous world, writes John Manning Takahisa Oishi, The Unknown Marx: Reconstructing a Unified Perspective. Reviewed by Victor Wallis 17th October Bolivia's gas warfare becomes explosive writes James Koehler Following his article earlier in the year alerting Spectre readers to the menace of aerosol spraying from aircraft. Wayne Hall sent us this update of developments. Alfred Mendes has been reading around the subject of recent events in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Here's what he found. Andrew Rowell's Don’t worry, it’s safe to eat reviewed by Spectre editor Steve McGiffen 9th October Who will be the next lucky recipient of the US/UK liberation? Mat Coward considers the front-running candidates. Report on the necessity of ending the US blockade of Cuba Jim Addington looks at the UN's response to what Koffi Annan described as the "fundamental challenge" of America's lawless unilateralism and considers its next move. Letter from David McReynolds, Socialist Party USA Presidential candidate in 2000, on the Israeli air strike on Syria. 4th October Authorisation to cultivate GM soya in Brazil for the next growing season was published at the end of last month. Devinder Sharma wrote an open letter to President Lula in protest, extracts from which we publish. Japan's Communist Party prepares for national elections. John Manning reports After more than a year of escalating tensions between the U.S. and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea/DPRK), the second round of multilateral talks led by China at the end of August produced little concrete progress. According to Chinese officials, the U.S. approach hampered the negotiations. Paul L. Liem reports 26th September Sweden votes 'No' to the Euro. Tiny Kox reports Once again officials of the European Union have been caught with their hands in the taxpayers' purse. A long-term solution would involve the thorough restructuring of the institutions. In the short-term, we need a Parliamentray Enquiry with powers to subpoena witnesses, argues Dutch Euro-MP Erik Meijer. China was the undisputed star of the recent Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty leaving Uncle Sam hiding in the wings. Heather Wokusch reports. 19th September Sweden has voted against joining the monetary union. Anti-euro campaigner Jan Å Johansson dissects the result. The failure of the WTO summit in Cancún opens up the prospect of social globalisation reports René Roovers The failure of the Cancun Conference is a big victory for the developing countries and for the left in general reports Paul Emile Dupret 13th September Whatever the stated reasons for the US government's desire for an international force, subordinate to US command, it is clearly unable alone to maintain a peaceful occupation. Tony Blair's recent statement that the violent opposition is coming from Saddam Hussein supporters and terrorists from neighbouring states is to deny that there is real opposition from the Iraqi population to the illegal occupation. 6th September The beginning of September saw the launch by dissident staff of the EU institutions in Brussels of Whistleblower Update, aiming to bring concerned "citizens" of the Union up to date with the activities and fate of those who have blown the lid on corruption at the European Commission and at the EU's other institutions. Spectrezine brings you edited highlights. Lawlessness and Misogyny In Afghanistan. Lynette Dumble reports. A lawsuit on behalf of over 100,000 Gulf War veterans has the Bush administration on edge and businesses running for cover, reports Heather Woksuch. 15th August Alfred Mendes takes a brief look at the word "terror", and at a little-publicised aspect of the war launched on Afghanistan in late 2001. President Bush thinks all nations, especially those in Africa, should warmly embrace "bio-crops" produced by the United States. He says that their refusal to accept genetically engineered crops is not scientific, but rather a fear of economic loss if the European Union continues to reject genetically engineered foods. Economic loss is a real concern, but a closer look at the reasons given by other nations reveals widely held, scientifically based concerns about potential health impacts as well. By Nnimmo Bassey and Lawrence Bohlen 8th August The Balkan crisis, now over a decade old, is playing a pivotal role in a scenario of global dimensions, due, primarily, to the fact that the main protagonist in this crisis is also by far the world’s most economically powerful state - namely, Corporate America. Alfred Mendes reports Concerns about the adverse impact on human rights of Indonesia’s military relations with other countries, leads to call for an international arms embargo 1st August In a little-known 1974 document entitled "Rumsfeld's Rules”, the US Secretary of Defense offers his philosophy on life and work. But how well does Rumsfeld follow his own rules? Heather Wokusch looks at a sample of quotes from the text, and compares it with Rumsfeld's actual performance. Spectre's policy is not to take sides in disputes between workers' parties or progressive movements against capitalism and imperialism. Political murder, however, is another matter. Pierre Rousset looks at the background to the Communist Party of the Philippines' policy of murdering dissidents and opponents and calls for an end to a policy that can only aid the most repressive forces of the right. 25th July Sweden's Vänster (Left) Party sets out the case against the Euro Edward S. Herman looks at the latest Middle East “peace plan” 13th July Finnish Euro-MP Esko Seppänen reports from the Convention on the Future of Europe. The Mid-Term Mexican Elections: What the Results Mean. Katherine Wells and Conor Riffle report Alana Yu-lan Price and Sara Clement, from the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, explain how five innocent Cuban men have ended up in the Bush junta’s jails. 5th July "It is time for the nuclear weapons debate to be reopened", writes Wayne Hall German peace activists Gewaltfreie Aktion Atomwaffen Abschaffen (Non-violent action for the abolition of nuclear weapons) are preparing a World Uranium Weapons Conference in response to what they describe as a “new and in some ways more prevalent and immediate nuclear threat. GAAA Co-Coordinator, Marion Kuepker explains. Pre-emptive assassination and US foreign policy. Heather Wokusch looks at the US government's plans and the dangers they hold for all of us. 29th June New evidence puts the US military's use of radioactive weaponary in the spotlight, casting doubt on the Bush administration's upbeat estimates on civilian war casualties in Afghanistan and Iraq. Heather Wokusch reports. Critics argue that the World Trade Organization (WTO) is designed to strip sovereignty from nations, removing critical public policy decisions from democratic control. The world may now be entering an era when those abstract concerns become concrete. Russell Mokhiber and Robert Weissman report 20th June Brazilian President Lula da Silva gave a speech on Sunday to the leaders of the "G-8" countries, calling for an international tax on weapons sales, among other bold solutions, to end hunger on earth and create the conditions necessary worldwide to solve "especially, narco-trafficking and terrorism." The occupation of Iraq - the uneasy aftermath of war. By Jim Addington 13th June Genetic engineering is a hit and miss process derived from a discredited scientific paradigm. The industry upon which it is based is in deep financial trouble. Only a ruthless propaganda machine lies between the dead-end of genetic engineering and oblivion. Steve McGiffen reports. Euro not to blame for Irish inflation argues Jim O'Donnell in response to last week's letter from Anthony Coughlan. US peace movement takes big leap forward. Ted Glick reports 30th May "The distance between the United States and Europe is slowly growing wider--about an inch each year, geologists estimate, due to the expansion of the Atlantic Ocean. Politically, the Atlantic Ocean has been a much less stable barrier between the United States and Europe" By Peter Howard Cubans who know their history could have told Iraqis what the US means by “liberation”. Cuba’s national newspaper responds to “President” Bush’s provocation on “Cuban Independence Day”, May 20, when the island was reduced to a vassalage which would last over half a century. And in this week's letters page: Anthony Coughlan on the Euro and the Irish cosy of living; Victor Wallis on Richard Flood appeal; Bitta Mostofi from Voices in the Wildernes, Chicago 24th May "The recent government campaign to convince the British people of the need to go to war against Iraq was one of the most obscene in recent years. Iraq, a weakened state, was in no condition to withstand the power of either of the world's two most powerful countries. Bush and Blair used fear to persuade their people that war was inevitable." Jim Addington considers war propaganda and its effects. "They said they came to liberate Iraqis from an oppressive, murderous government, and to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction. Did these “liberators” cross all the continents to arrive in Iraq simply for the safety of the Iraqi people?" Hamsa Mohammed poses some pertinent questions to her country's "liberators". 16th May John Holloway Change the World Without Taking Power: The Meaning of Revolution Today (London, Pluto Press 2002). Reviewed by Thomas Guthmann The US and UK have a duty to protect and care for the people of Iraq and should pay the cost of reconstruction as reparations for their war of aggression, argues Jim Addington. 9th May The Doctrine of Humanitarian War by Karel Glastra van Loon and Jan Marijnissen David Chandler's From Kosovo to Kabul. Human Rights and International Intervention, (London Pluto Press 2002) Reviewed by Sven Engel Appeal to help with legal expenses of US political prisoner, from Mr Victor Wallis, Massachusetts, USA 2nd May Erik Meijer, MEP, reflects on how an entire trade union movement is being led up the garden path. László Andor looks at enlargement of the European Union First public hearing of the Statement of Mindy Kleinberg to the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States March 31, 2003 26th April Peace – Democracy – Disarmament Resolution of the Extraordinary Session of the 8th PDS Congress in Berlin, 5 April, 2003 11th April Argentina's presidential election on April 27 is an event of great importance, because it could point the way to the future global, hemispheric and area role of Latin America’s second largest economy. We publish an analysis from the Council on Hemispheric Affairs 4th April Beyond Vietnam: Address delivered to the Clergy and Laymen Concerned about Vietnam, at Riverside Church on 4 April 1967 in New York City. By Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Alfred Mendes looks at the common thread running through more than a decade of American military - and political - interventions. Let us not lose sight of what the peace movement has accomplished, argues Bob Wing, editor of War Times. The dangers of dissent. Heather Wokusch looks at the risks involved in fighting back, and concludes that the dangers of not doing so are far greater. 29th March Europe versus the Anglo-American Alliance. New Political Alignments and the "Big Game". What lies behind the diplomatic rift at the UN Security Council? Michel Chossudovsky addresses these questions Tribute to Rachel Corrie by Imad Jadaa, Palestinian ambassador to Cuba Genocide and Everyday Life. James Petras on the USA's plan for the use of 'weapons of mass destruction'. 22nd March Michel Chossudovsky argues that: "The war on terrorism is an integral part of Bush’s National Security Doctrine . It is being used as a pretext for waging war on Iraq. Many antiwar activists are unaware that successive US administrations have over the last 20 years supported Islamic terrorism including Al Qaeda . The latter is a creation of the CIA. It is a key instrument of US foreign policy" 14th March In the name of the international community. Alfred Mendes looks at some of the historical background to the goings on in Korea, and at the peculiar evolution of a term Heather Wokusch looks at the deadly legacy of the last Gulf War and looks forward to the one that the Bush junta remains determined to start. February 28th The Reemergence of Death Squads and the Drug Trade Boom in Today’s Guatemala. A report from The Council for Hemispheric Affairs Why war with Iraq? Why now? Bertell Ollman wonders why the war is going to happen. February 15th We publish a statement sent to us this week by CAGE, the Belgian anti-GMO collective. The events it describes represent a worrying intensification of harassment of activists working to prevent the contamination of our fields and food supply. It is the Bush Administration, rather than Baghdad, which is supporting Al Qaeda. Michel Chossudovsky After a weekend of demonstrations involving over 10 million people worldwide, protesting an impending US war on Iraq, opposition to the Bush plan in many countries is hardly a question. But US military action may have political costs that go far beyond rising unpopularity. Particularly among unions in many countries, opposition may take a much more concrete form. David Bacon February 8th David Bacon writes from Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico on what lies behind rising anti-China hysteria in the region. Michel Chossudovsky looks at "the blatant distortion of truth and the systematic manipulation of all sources of information" which is lying the ground for devastating war. Wayne Hall considers Why the USA Won't Sign the Kyoto Protocol February 3rd In December 2002 five leading British aid agencies including Christian Aid and Oxfam drew attention to the illegality of an attack on Iraq under the Geneva Conventions because it would endanger the lives of the Iraqi population through further damage to the country's infrastructure. Jim Addington reports An alternative view of what happened in Yugoslavia. As we move towards another war, Alfred Mendes looks at the background to the US's last major imperialist adventure. Heather Wokusch revisits a different "War on Terror" and draws some interesting parallels January 22nd David McReynolds, staff emeritus of War Resisters League and Socialist Party candidate for US President in 2000, sent us this report of the huge anti-war demonstration in Washington, DC last weekend. Esko Seppänen, MEP, considers the latest proposals on "European governance" January 15th All eyes are on Iraq these days, but conventional wisdom holds it's just the first step of the Bush administration's larger push to gain hegemony over the international oil and gas industry. Two factors could stand in the way of the US grand plan though: Central Asia and Europe. A microcosm of this battle is quietly being fought now in Turkey, and in many ways the outcome could determine the future of the entire region. Heather Wokusch explains why. A number of British MPs have expressed serious concerns over the trial, incarceration and treatment of the “Miami Five” – the five Cuban nationals currently imprisoned in the U.S on various charges including espionage. Mark Donne, Campaigns Officer of the British Cuba Solidarity Campaign, reports. January 8th Stopping the war has become, literally, a life and death issue for humanity. John Manning argues that it is not too late Review: Hernando Calvo's Bacardi:The Hidden War discusses the almost half century history of the Bacardi Rum corporartion's attempts to destabilise the Cuban economy and political system Features from 2002 Features from 2001 |
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