January 20-26, 2003

By Judah Harrison, Carrie Fiorillo and Elizabeth Ben-Ishai
G8 Research Group

In This Issue:
Chirac: Responsibility, Solidarity, Security and Democracy in Evian
French invite Mugabe to Summit
U.S. Dollar Falls over Iraq Uncertainty, G7 Supports IMF Deal with Argentina
Libya Named New Chairperson of UN Human Rights Commission
Also in the G8 News

Chirac: Responsibility, Solidarity, Security and Democracy in Evian

On January 25, French president Jacques Chirac published his plans for the Evian G8 Summit in the International Herald Tribune.

"Globalization creates a common destiny for all humanity and makes us all dependent on one another. The major economies ignore that reality at their peril," wrote Chirac. He outlined the goals of the June summit with the ideals of "greater responsibility, solidarity, security and democracy" in mind.

Chirac emphasized the importance of sustainable development as a principle for the G8 countries¹ economic plans. He stressed the importance of careful attention to uses of power and corruption, thereby limiting the negative impacts of globalization and exploiting the benefits.

The French President highlighted the need for cooperation among nations to combat poverty, particularly in African nations. He expressed the will to follow up "on the highly ambitious plan adopted at the G8 conference in Canada last year in conjunction with the African leaders who established the New Partnership for Africa¹s Development."

The G8 will also focus on strengthening measures to combat international terrorism when leaders meet in Evian, wrote Chirac.

A truly democratic system must embrace the voices of poor and emerging nations, said Chirac. "Contacts are in progress to start the Evian conference with a gathering of about 25 world leaders for a free-ranging discussion on globalization and world governance," he wrote. He also committed himself to "vigorous, orderly dialogue" with civil society groups.

Source: International Tribune Herald

French invite Mugabe to Summit

Tensions between French and British governments erupted last week over the invitation of Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe to a meeting of African leaders. France invited Mugabe to the 22nd Conference of the Heads of State of Africa and France, which is to take place in Paris from February 19 to 21.

The British government said that the French initiative contravenes sanctions imposed on Mugabe by the European Union. The EU banned Mugabe from travelling within its borders last year after his much criticized election. However the ban expires on February 18, one day prior to the summit. The provisions of the ban are to be discussed on January 27 at a meeting of EU foreign ministers. It is believed that the British will accept the French summit invite as a part of a deal that will see sanctions renewed on Monday.

When news of Mugabe¹s invitation was first released, Clare Short, the British Secretary of State for International Development, called it "disgraceful." But the government of Zimbabwe confirmed that it had received a signed letter from French president Jacques Chirac.

Zimbabwe¹s main opposition to Mugabe, the Movement for Democratic Change, likened inviting the president to the summit to "inviting Saddam Hussein to the G8 summit."

The French defended their actions, claiming that the ban allowed for trips to conduct a political dialogue aimed at promoting democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Zimbabwe.

Sources: Reuters, The Independent, The Star

U.S. Dollar Falls over Iraq Uncertainty, G7 Supports IMF Deal with Argentina

The U.S. dollar dropped to three-year low on Friday against the euro due to a growing drift between U.S. and key G7 partners over possible military action in Iraq. Investors are holding their breath for a key report by United Nations weapons inspectors on Monday and President George W. Bush¹s State of the Union address on Tuesday. Many fear his remarks will lead to a call to arms and undermine confidence in the US dollar.

U.S. Undersecretary of State John Bolton said there was "very convincing evidence" that Iraq possessed banned weapons. Although he would not specify, he suggested that "at an appropriate time and in an appropriate way" the U.S. would make their case against Iraq.

Meanwhile, sterling rose above US$1.63 for the first time in three years yesterday as a result of the aforementioned widening rift between the U.S. and key allies. The dollar eased to a four-year low against the Swiss franc as traders continued to unload dollars based on speculation that a conflict with Iraq would hurt capital flows to the U.S.

As well, nearly one quarter of the International Monetary Fund¹s governing board refused to back yesterday¹s decision to roll over $6.8 billion in debts for Argentina. This is the most serious revolt that the 24-person board has experienced since the controversial IMF bail-out of Mexico in 1995. However, the voting power of abstaining countries, such as Australia, was outweighed by dominant G7 industrialized countries that had driven the deal through against the wishes of IMF management.

To note, on January 25, Melbourne experienced its hottest day since "Black Friday" of 1939.

Sources: The Scotsman, Independent (UK), Associated Press, Reuters, Financial Times

Libya Named New Chairperson of UN Human Rights Commission

The new chairperson of the United Nations Human Rights Commission is Najat Hajjaji from Libya. Much criticism has arisen over this appointment due to Libya¹s atrocious human rights record. The appointment was made possible due to a regional rotation system that leaves the decision purely to nations in each region when their time is due.

Equatorial Guinea¹s president-for-life Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo was accused of funnelling his country¹s oil wealth to a Washington DC bank, totalling US$300­500 million. The average person in Equatorial Guinea earns less than a dollar a day. The charges are difficult to verify, as oil companies in the region do not reveal financial information.

Stephen Lewis, the United Nations Secretary General¹s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, warned that Iraq will eclipse all other priorities and that "people living with HIV/AIDS are in a race against time." Speaking of a recent tour to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Malawi, Lewis said there is political will to fight HIV/AIDS, but there is not any money. He further prophesied "there may yet come a day when we have peacetime tribunals to deal with this particular version of crimes against humanity."

Sources: The Post, Global Witness, LA Times, Independent Foreign News

Also in the G8 News

• In an effort to combat organized crime in eastern Europe, police agencies from G8 nations met last week in Toronto. Police have met annually since 1994 to attempt to deal with the issue. The co-chair of this year¹s meeting, RCMP Chief Superintendent Ben Soave, said, "Organized crime continues to pose a global threat to the safety and security of every country. It requires a collective international response so that we can effectively protect the communities we all serve." More than 40 delegates attended this years meetings. (Source: Canada Newswire)
  
  
• The first-ever meeting of health governors and ministers from the G20 countries, including the G8 countries, took place January 26 at the World Economic Forum in Davos. U.S. health and human services department secretary Tommy G. Thompson spoke on the subject of "Bioterrorism Preparedness in An Era of Fear." Thompson encouraged cooperation of G20 health ministers in combating bioterrorism. (Source: Business Wire)
  
  
• The Japanese government has announced that it will host an international conference of G8 nations and Afghan leaders in mid-February to help Afghanistan promote security in outlying areas. The meeting will address a Japanese proposal to set up a demobilization registration agency in Afghanistan to demobilize soldiers controlled by Afghan warlords and help them return to civilian life. Japan will also seek financial pledges from G8 nations to assist the project. Japan has asked the Afghan government if President Hamid Karzai can travel to Tokyo for the demobilization conference, but remains cautious in light of the looming war in Iraq. (Source: Kyodo News)
  
  

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