Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Monday, 17 February 2003, 5:38 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
All We Are Saying Is Give Peace A Chance
Firas Al-Atraqchi: Heading Off The Hawks
Scoop Image: Rose Carriers On Stilts
Scoop Editorial: People Deliver “No War” Message Loud and Clear
GPJA Protest Calls For NZ Govt Opposition To USA War
Greenpeace Flies Anti-War Flag Above Americas Cup Races
No Illicit Weapons Found: Blix Tells UN Security Council
Powell Responds To Weapons Inspectors
Tony Blair's Glasgow Snakeoil Salespitch
Bolivia Is Burning
Everyone Was Invited: Anti-War March at Midday Sat Feb 15
Millions To March Against War – Links Galore!
Masters Of The US Voting Apparatus - Verbatim
BIG NEWS ACC INVESTIGATION: Breaking The Law At The ACC
Daily Katya Rivas

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
PM Insults Thousands of Anti-War Kiwis: GPJA
What’s The Body-count? PM Should Come Clean on SAS Role
Army Decides on Anti-Tank Weapon
ECT Review Recommended: Human Rights Commission
Govt Injects Half a Mil for More IT Jobs
Preb’s Letter from Welly
On Yer Bike Mate
Digital TV On Its Way
Dodgy Deals Done Dirt Cheap Out!
Doctors are Good: ACT
Hawkins announces More Cops
Nats Decide Who They Are
Copeland’s Opinion On Bill
Immigration Fraud Common says Peters
Avoiding Kenya Is Cricket
Health Ministry Asked to Toughen up on Admen
Bad Prescription Ads: Greens
WTO Tokyo Meetings
Happy Birthday Te Papa
Rural NZ’s Cheque Book Snaps Shut
Salt-Marsh Eradication Base Opens in Kaipara
Young Nats Goss Is Here
CTU: Personal Grievance Must Be Restored
Govt Selective on GE Royal Commission
Leigh Residents Protest Against GE Franko-tist Visits

All We Are Saying Is Give Peace A Chance

- A million marched in Rome, 1.3 milion paraded in Barcelona, two million in Madrid, a half million in London, 250,000 in New York. From Canberra to Cape Town, from Karachi to Chicago, from Wellington to Warsaw, millions of stern, defiant, impassioned and vocal people turned out across the world on Saturday urging peace not war. Maree Howard writes. See... Howard's End: Peace Message Clear To World Govts [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00109.htm

Firas Al-Atraqchi: Heading Off The Hawks

- Friday's U.N. Security Council briefing by UNMOVIC head Blix and IAEA head Al-Baradei allowed the world a short reprieve from talk of war. The condemning report and evidence the U.S. and U.K delegations had been hoping for from the inspectors never materialized and a new U.N. resolution draft authorizing war was called off for the interim. See... Firas Al-Atraqchi: Time For Iraq To Act [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00110.htm

Scoop Image: Rose Carriers On Stilts

- A Photograph From Wellington's Peace March With Poem... See... Scoop Image & Poem: United In Peace [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00112.htm

Scoop Editorial: People Deliver “No War” Message Loud and Clear

- A 10,000-strong Anti-War march led by Global Peace and Justice Auckland [GPJA] delivered a peaceful “No War’ message to the New Zealand public, the Government, and to Auckland City’s commerce/retail heart. Thousands more lined the street offering support... See... Thousands March in Auckland Against USA War [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00104.htm

GPJA Protest Calls For NZ Govt Opposition To USA War

- The Auckland No War march took place earlier this afternoon and in the resolutions enthusiastically endorsed by the crowd (police estimate 10,000 people) called on the PM to actively oppose American plans to invade Iraq and withdraw our frigate and Orion from the Gulf. See... Protest Insists Govt Must "Actively Oppose" US War [1] MORE:SCOOP PHOTO-ESSAYS: Scoop captures images from today’s protest rally in Auckland… People Power - New Zealand Citizens Say No to War [2] - Photo-Essay 2 – People Power: No to War [3] - Images of the Wellington protest - Images of Wellington’s anti-War Protest March [4] and Scoop Images: Wellington Mobilises Against The War [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00108.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00103.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00105.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00111.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00106.htm

Greenpeace Flies Anti-War Flag Above Americas Cup Races

- Auckland, Greenpeace flew an 18 by 6 metre 'No War, Peace Now' banner above the opening of the America's Cup yacht challenge today to promote peace, as protest against a war in Iraq spread around the world. See... Giant NO WAR banner over the America's Cup race [1] ALSO: - Greenpeace - Anti War video - WARNING: Horrific Reality of War [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00109.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00110.htm

No Illicit Weapons Found: Blix Tells UN Security Council

- Dr. Blix reported several positive steps that Iraq has taken including allowing the flight of U2 planes, enabling private interviews and enacting legislation that prohibits weapons of mass destruction. However information on the whereabouts of unaccounted anthrax and the nerve agent VX is still required from Iraq. In addition there were three counts of violations in terms of the long-range missiles.... See... UN Radio reports on Weapons Inspectors Findings [1] ALSO: No illicit weapons found - more proof needed: Blix [2] - No proof of illegal nuclear activity in Iraq [3] - Germany Outlines Diplo-Battle-Plan for Peace - On the eve of a UN Security Council crisis meeting on Iraq, German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder delivered a policy statement detailing a pathway to peace on the US/Iraq crisis... See... Germany's responsibility for peace [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0302/S00160.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0302/S00159.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0302/S00158.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0302/S00157.htm

Powell Responds To Weapons Inspectors

"What we need is for Iraq to disarm. Resolution 1441 was not about inspections. Let me say that again. Resolution 1441 was not about inspections. Resolution 1441 was about the disarmament of Iraq." See... Powell to the UNSC Following Blix Report [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0302/S00177.htm

Tony Blair's Glasgow Snakeoil Salespitch

- We’ve been in power for six years now. Through the election wins, the popular changes and yes, the tougher decisions. It’s a very different business from Opposition. What we do matters. See... Prime Minister Tony Blair's Glasgow Party Speech [1] see also the Labour Party chairman's words of amelioration [2] and the 2 letters referred to in Blair's speech [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0302/S00174.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0302/S00175.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0302/S00172.htm

Bolivia Is Burning

- When the Government of Bolivia announced last week a tax hike which would further depress the poorest of this nation into poverty, the masses of Bolivia took to the street to demand the resignation of both the tax and the Bolivian president Goni Sochez de Lozada. Heres a glimpse into the scene in Cochabamba, Bolivias 3rd largest city, where the streets have been blockaded, a strike has been declared, and civil strife rises. See... Behind the Blockades in Cochabamba, Bolivia [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0302/S00171.htm

Everyone Was Invited: Anti-War March at Midday Sat Feb 15

- Anti-war protests took place in at least 20 centres around New Zealand as part of more than 500 protests internationally against American plans to invade Iraq. See... Sat Feb 15th - Anti-War Action in 20 NZ Centres [1] MORE: - CTU Issues Letter To USA War Mongers - A Council of Trade Unions delegation today delivered a letter to US Ambassador Swindells calling on President Bush to abandon the crusade for war against Iraq, and to seek a diplomatic solution through the UN. See... CTU Calls on Bush to Abandon War Crusade [2] - PMA - National: what's on where [3] - GPJA Newsletter #22 - Global Peace And Justice Auckland Newsletter #22 [4] - Amnesty Calls On NZ Govt to Take a Stand - Amnesty International has called on the New Zealand Government to work for the plight of the people of Iraq and surrounding countries to be put firmly on the UN Security Council's agenda during a special open session next week. See... HR On Front Line In Iraq: Call For NZ Action [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00101.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00104.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00103.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00102.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00107.htm

Millions To March Against War – Links Galore!

- As of 14th of February (NZT) folk in 603! locations around the world (including Antarctica!) had registered their intention to protest on February 15th against war in Iraq. This weekend’s protests are expected to be the biggest ever public mobilisation against war. See... Scoop Links: A WORLD UNITED AGAINST WAR! [1] MORE: - Fiji Anti-War Movement - Flowers of peace to Embassies - Fiji Anti War Move [2] - East Timor - East Timor Demonstration Against the War in Iraq [3] - Greens - Greens urge big turn-out for peace [4] - Jennifer Van Bergen: The March - February 15th [5] - Greenpeace CTU Joint Letter to PM on Iraq [6] - Wellington Anti-War Action This Saturday [7] - Young Labour - USA: Stick with the United Nations way [8]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00092.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0302/S00149.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0302/S00146.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00212.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00088.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00090.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00088.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00083.htm

Masters Of The US Voting Apparatus - Verbatim

- Transcripts of the interviews conducted in the course of Bev Harris Georgia/Diebold voting machine investigation. See... Georgia/Diebold Voting Machine Investigation IVs [1] MORE: - Georgia's Last Minute 2002 Election Machine Fix [2] - Scoop Link: American Coup Makes The Guardian [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00111.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00095.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00101.htm

BIG NEWS ACC INVESTIGATION: Breaking The Law At The ACC

- ACC case managers have been forcing claimants to suspect dodgy rehabilitation plans all year round by sending standard “form” or “computer” letters, sanctioned by senior staff. Part one of a ten part investigation into ACC by Big News's Dave Crampton. See... ACC staff knowingly flout ACC legislation [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00108.htm

Daily Katya Rivas

- If I had a faithful creature on whom to pour the fullness of My Love, I would make of her an ember by which I would set fire to humanity. See... Katya Rivas: If Only I Had a Faithful Creature [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00107.htm

PM Insults Thousands of Anti-War Kiwis: GPJA

- Over the weekend the Prime Minister dismissed the protests by tens of thousands of New Zealanders in 20 centres yesterday as "not as large" as those from previous issues in the past. See... Deep Insult to Anti-War Kiwis from Prime Minister [1] MORE: PM’s Just One of the Flock: Harré - Alliance Leader, Laila Harré told a Peace Concert in Auckland today that if Blair and Howard were playing America’s poodles over Iraq Prime Minister Helen Clark was taking the part of the sheep. See... Alliance says people will lead if Clark doesn’t [2] - Greens - Fitzsimons to PM: This is our Vietnam [3] - United Future -Copeland: Let's push for peace [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00112.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00113.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00263.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00284.htm

What’s The Body-count? PM Should Come Clean on SAS Role

- Green MP Keith Locke is demanding the government comes clean on SAS activities in Afghanistan, following revelations in today's Sunday Star Times. See... Government must come clean on secret war [1] ALSO: - Nats - Secret papers made public in a new book make a mockery of Helen Clark's policy of saying nothing about the New Zealand SAS role in Afghanistan, says the National Party Foreign Affairs spokesman Dr Wayne Mapp. "Her say nothing position on the SAS ... See... Papers make mockery of Clark call on SAS [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00264.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00267.htm

Army Decides on Anti-Tank Weapon

- TUCSON, Ariz., (Jan. 30, 2003) -- The New Zealand Army has selected the Raytheon-Lockheed Martin Javelin anti-tank weapon system to meet its medium range anti-armor weapon capability. See... Raytheon-Lockheed Martin Javelin Anti-Tank Weapon [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00120.htm

ECT Review Recommended: Human Rights Commission

- The Human Rights Commission and the Health and Disability Commissioner support the recommendations from the Health Committee of the House of Representatives for a comprehensive review of the use of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) in New Zealand. See... Review of Electro-Convulsive Therapy Recommended [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00122.htm

Govt Injects Half a Mil for More IT Jobs

- An international innovative joint venture research facility is to receive $500,000 from the Government to build international networks, expand their research partners and develop patents for computer technology, Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton ... See... Govt to provide $500,000 for high technology jobs [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00290.htm

Preb’s Letter from Welly

- The Prime Minister undersold the government programme as boring. It is actually dangerous "snake oil". Successive governments have avoided real structural reform by claiming as Clark did on Tuesday to be moving the economy "up the value chain" ... See... Richard Prebble's Letter from Wellington [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00288.htm

On Yer Bike Mate

- As part of ‘Bike Wise National Bike Week’ Transport Minister Paul Swain and Minister for Sport and Recreation Trevor Mallard will be speaking at a Bike to Work day breakfast at Civic Square, Wellington on Wednesday 19 February. See... Ministers Bike to Work to Promote Cycling [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00287.htm

Digital TV On Its Way

- The Government is signalling a digital future for public television and has established a work programme to resolve key issues by mid 2003, Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey and Communications Minister Paul Swain announced today. See... Govt signals digital future for public television [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00286.htm

Dodgy Deals Done Dirt Cheap Out!

- New Zealand First has called on the Customs Minister to stop his department selling off imported motor vehicles that have been seized for odometer tampering because they can be passed on to unsuspecting buyers. See... Stop ‘Shonky’ Car Sales Says Brown [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00285.htm

Doctors are Good: ACT

- ACT New Zealand Health Spokesman Heather Roy today stood in support of pharmaceutical advertising, saying that the proposed ban painted a picture of forceful patients and weak doctors. See... Give Doctors Credit [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00283.htm

Hawkins announces More Cops

- Thirty-four of the 75 police graduating today from the Royal New Zealand Police College are headed for Auckland’s three police districts. See... Thirty-four more police bound for Auckland district [1] Around the regions: - Twelve more police for Wellington district [2] - Waikato gains seven more constables [3] - Tasman police district gains six new constables [4] - Six new constables bound for Southern police distr [5] - Northland gains additional police constable [6] - Six more constables for Central police district [7] - Additional constable for Canterbury [8] - Bay of Plenty gains two extra constables [9] - Thirty-four more police bound for Auckland distric [10]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00282.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00281.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00280.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00279.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00278.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00277.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00276.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00275.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00274.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00273.htm

Nats Decide Who They Are

- At our Napier caucus, the National Party decided there would be four main issues it would put its name on this year, economic growth, welfare dependency, one standard of citizenship and education. These are long term challenges for New Zealand… The Right Talk - 14 February 2003 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00272.htm

Copeland’s Opinion On Bill

- The Bill leading to this new Act had a fairly rocky path through Parliament in November but was finally enacted to take effect from 1 December 2002. Probably the most controversial part of the bill was that relating to the continuous disclosure regime. See... Continuous Disclosure & Securities Markets Act [1] ALSO: - NZ First - Copeland: Gas-for-electricity 'woefully inefficien [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00292.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00291.htm

Immigration Fraud Common says Peters

- New Zealand First says the Government must start investigating other overseas immigration offices after it was revealed that a cash-for-visas scam is being run by an immigration official at New Zealand's Embassy in Thailand. See... Immigration Fraud The Norm Says Peters [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00271.htm

Avoiding Kenya Is Cricket

- Progressive leader and cricket fan Jim Anderton says that he thinks the New Zealand Cricket decision to avoid Nairobi is the correct one given the circumstances. See... avoiding Kenya right for Black Cap safety [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00270.htm

Health Ministry Asked to Toughen up on Admen

- The Public Health Association is calling for the Minister of Health to act on a new report recommending a ban on direct to consumer advertising of medicines. See... Ban on consumer advertising of medicines supported [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00117.htm

Bad Prescription Ads: Greens

- Green Health spokesperson Sue Kedgley is calling on the Government to ban direct marketing of prescription medicines to consumers, in the light of a damning report by academics from all of New Zealand's medical schools. See... Advertising of medicines must be banned: Greens [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00269.htm

WTO Tokyo Meetings

- The World Trade Organisation mini-ministerial meeting, which finished in Tokyo yesterday, maintained momentum in multilateral negotiations, Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said today. See... Tokyo meeting adds impetus to WTO negotiations [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00268.htm

Happy Birthday Te Papa

- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa celebrates its 5th birthday this weekend with a number of events at the national museum. See... Te Papa celebrates 5th birthday [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00266.htm

Rural NZ’s Cheque Book Snaps Shut

- The Government's dream run for the economy looks set to end as rural New Zealand's chequebooks slam shut with a resounding snap, ACT New Zealand Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff said today. See... War On The Homefront [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00265.htm

Salt-Marsh Eradication Base Opens in Kaipara

- A new base of operations being opened tomorrow in Kaipara officially marks a significant milestone in the biggest programme so far by the Ministry of Health aimed at eradicating an exotic mosquito which can carry a debilitating disease, the Ross River Virus (RRV). See... Saltmarsh Mosquito Eradication Project [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00121.htm

Young Nats Goss Is Here

- New Write Uncovers Sas Movements 2. More Bureaucracy For Tertiary Education 3. Act Annual Conference: March 14th – 16th 4. France Labelled A “Second-Rate Country” 5. Hot Goss From Parliament 6. Top Ten Agenda Items At The Act Conference 7. See... The New Write: Young Nats Newsletter [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00119.htm

CTU: Personal Grievance Must Be Restored

- The Council of Trade Unions is calling for the restoration of personal grievance rights after the release of a report showing a pro-employer trend in decisions in the Court of Appeal. See... Personal Grievance Rights Must be Restored [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00116.htm

Govt Selective on GE Royal Commission

- The government is attempting to cherry-pick recommendations from the Royal Commission on GE to suit vested interests in industry, sidelining the recommendations made to protect the public. See... Government "cherry picking" of Royal Commission [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00115.htm

Leigh Residents Protest Against GE Franko-tist Visits

- Residents of the rural Rodney District community of Leigh will rise up on Sunday 16 February to make a peaceful protest against a visit to their town by pro-GE scientists. See... Small town stands up to GE scientists [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00114.htm

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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