Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Tuesday, 11 March 2003, 6:21 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Sludge Report: War Is Just A Racket
Coercing A Coalition (1) - Counting The Cost
Coercing A Coalition (2) – NZ Urged To Speak Up
Coercing A Coalition (3) – Annan On The Rule Of Law
Coercing A Coalition (4) - George Backs Down
Matthew Reid: But. But. But.
UQ Wire: MalcontentX's Call To Action
A View From Cowbell Country Of The Old Jug
Babylon Express: Disarming The "Littlest Terrorist"
Iraqi Nuclear Scientist On US/UK Fabricated "Evidence"
The Time For Revolution Is Now
David Miller: Iran The Shadow Behind Iraq
Five Arrested At John Howard Demo
UNSC Debates East Timor Peace Force Extension
Katya Rivas's Passion

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Police Commissioner Releases Crime Stats
Govt announces EDS Deal
ACT and Nats Anti-Business: Anderton
PM’s Welcome Howard Speech
ANZAC Relationship More Than Coy Smiles
Spook Heads Reappointed For Three Years
Rain Washes Millions Down The Drain
Support Local Businesses: Greens
Bradford Says People’s Centre Will Recover
Creating More Jobs The Key to Progress
DHB Debacle Impacts On Rural GPs
Border Controls In a Shambles: Nats
Asia 2000 appoints Five To BOT
Drugs and Suicide: The Links Debated
Govt Must Ban Pharmaceutical GE Crops
Food Nutrition Info Improves
Maharey Notes

Sludge Report: War Is Just A Racket

- The official US and Australian PR strategy for the war is now more than clear. To misquote Robert The Bruce, the motto being followed at propaganda central in both Canberra and Washington these days is: "If at first you don't convince, lie, lie again". See... Sludge Report #148 - A Nest Of Vipers, But Whose? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00071.htm

Coercing A Coalition (1) - Counting The Cost

- As the United Nations Security Council prepared to vote on a U.S.-British resolution that would authorize war against Iraq, the Bush administration was working furiously to win over the required nine votes they need for passage of the motion. See... U.S. Coalition of the Willing or the Coerced? [1] and Mexico On The UN and Iraq - Arm-Twisting Diplomacy [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00069.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00133.htm

Coercing A Coalition (2) – NZ Urged To Speak Up

- The Green Party is calling on the Government to lobby UN Security Council members to reject any attempt by the US to secure a mandate for military action against Iraq. See... Floating Council Members Urged To Reject US Bribes [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00170.htm

Coercing A Coalition (3) – Annan On The Rule Of Law

"The members of the Security Council now face a great choice. If they fail to agree on a common position, and action is taken without the authority of the Security Council, the legitimacy and support of any such action will be seriously impaired." See... Annan appeals for Security Council unity [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00143.htm

Coercing A Coalition (4) - George Backs Down

- "President Bush's urgent phone campaign to world leaders, seeking their support for a tough deadline on Iraq, came up short Monday — forcing a delay of the Security Council's vote and opening the doors to a possible compromise to give Saddam Hussein more time." Scoop Links... Yahoo - CNN - US [1] - Stuff - NZ [2] - Guardian - UK [3]

[1] - http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/10/sprj.irq.main/index.html
[2] - http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2322850a10,00.html
[3] - http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/0,2759,423009,00.html

Matthew Reid: But. But. But.

- About the only thing missing from the strange scene along the Iraq-Kuwait border late this week was UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan in a black and white striped jersey with a whistle around his neck. Can you hear him? “Off-sides. Iraq. 5-yard penalty. Repeat 1st down.” See... Matthew Reid: Grandstanding Appeasement [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00067.htm

UQ Wire: MalcontentX's Call To Action

- Many and massive are the positive developments occurring alongside the atrocious antics of the imperial elites, msrs. Bush, Blair, and co. See... UQ Wire: Organize, Organize, Organize [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00066.htm

A View From Cowbell Country Of The Old Jug

- “The losers didn’t have enough hope to win"... I disappeared to eat dinner, before the urge to interrupt Swiss on-the-street TV interviews became overwhelming. I desperately wanted to throw myself at a camera and scream “New Zealand rocks!” See... Julz’s World: From Inside Alinghi City, Geneva [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00065.htm

Babylon Express: Disarming The "Littlest Terrorist"

For the professionally trained soldier, few assignments are as daunting as isolating and neutralising an 8 year old boy armed with nuclear weapons. See... Scoop Satire: Eradicating Timmy The Terrorist [1] , Scoop Satire: Timmy The "Littlest Terrorist" [2] and Babylon Express - Savage Sardonic Satire - ARCHIVES [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00064.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00043.htm
[3] - http://scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=bex

Iraqi Nuclear Scientist On US/UK Fabricated "Evidence"

- On March 7, 2003, Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), submitted, in accordance with U.N. Resolution 1441, his third report to the Security Council on Iraq's nuclear non-capability. See... Imad Khadduri: The Fig Leaf Of Moral Impotence [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00068.htm

The Time For Revolution Is Now

- "When a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce [the people] under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security." See... John Kaminski: Thomas Jefferson Calling [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00063.htm

David Miller: Iran The Shadow Behind Iraq

- In hindsight, it was not the cleverest of moves on the part of President Bush to publicly declare that a hard line approach would be taken against the “Axis of Evil”. See... David Miller Online: In the Shadows Lies Iran [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00061.htm

Five Arrested At John Howard Demo

- Police made five arrests at the end of a demonstration against the looming war in Iraq in Wellington today. See... Five arrests at Wellington anti-war demo [1] from Indymedia Aotearoa, and a release from the demonstrators. See... Police Heavy-Handed During Howard Parl Protest [2] . See also the Police release on the arrests… Five arrests at Parliament protest [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00060.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00074.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00071.htm

UNSC Debates East Timor Peace Force Extension

- Sounding “a warning bell at a critical time,” the top United Nations peacekeeping official urged the Security Council today to delay cutbacks in UN military and police forces in Timor-Leste and to enhance support for local authorities in the face of recent civil disturbances and the increase in the number of armed groups in rural areas. See... Call at UNSC for delay in East Timor troop cuts [1] and Threats To Peace In Timor-Leste - UNSG To UNSC [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00144.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00145.htm

Katya Rivas's Passion

- There are souls who consider My Passion, but very few who think about My preparation for My public life: My loneliness! See... Katya Rivas: Jesus Prepares Himself [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00062.htm

Babylon Express - Savage Sardonic Satire
http://scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=bex
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Police Commissioner Releases Crime Stats

- Crime per head of population continues to trend downwards, Commissioner Rob Robinson said today. Over the last six years overall recorded crime in New Zealand has dropped by 7.8% against a population increase of 4.3%… See... National crime statistics for 2002 [1] ALSO: - Government - Police have the resources necessary to focus on crime prevention and resolution throughout New Zealand, Police Minister George Hawkins says. See... Police well resourced to focus on crime: Hawkins [2] - ACT - Report Shines Light On Government Failings [3] - National - Government losing the battle on crime [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00080.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00177.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00176.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00175.htm

Govt announces EDS Deal

- The Government today announced a significant new partnership with global IT solutions giant EDS which will see a major client contact centre and software applications development centre being hosted in New Zealand. See... $1.5m investment to create jobs [1] ALSO: - EDS -EDS and NZ Govt Team Up to Create 360 Jobs [2] - Nats -Government hands out more corporate welfare [3] - ACT - Jim Throws Even More Money at Business [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00160.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0303/S00078.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00171.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00165.htm

ACT and Nats Anti-Business: Anderton

- Anti business parties ACT and National have shown they really aren’t committed to our economy says Jim Anderton. See... Anti Business Act and Nats do not support economy [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00172.htm

PM’s Welcome Howard Speech

- It is my pleasure to welcome the Prime Minister of Australia, Hon John Howard, and Mrs Howard to this official luncheon at Parliament today. See... PM's Address to State Luncheon for John Howard [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00161.htm

ANZAC Relationship More Than Coy Smiles

- ACT Leader Richard Prebble said today the sweet coy protestations of friendship between Helen Clark and Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, are just a sign of how deeply dysfunctional the ANZAC relationship has become. See... Sweet Words Bad Signs [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00166.htm

Spook Heads Reappointed For Three Years

- Prime Minister Helen Clark today announced that Sir John Jeffries, the Commissioner of Security Warrants, and Hon Laurence Greig, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, have been appointed for further three year terms. See... Sir John Jeffries & Hon Laurence Greig reappointed [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00163.htm

Rain Washes Millions Down The Drain

- "The traffic chaos in Auckland caused by just 20 millimetres of rain would have cost the city and the country tens of millions of dollars as well as having seriously disrupted people's lives," ACT Leader Richard Prebble said today. See... Road Politics Cause Chaos [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00162.htm

Support Local Businesses: Greens

- Green MP and 'Buy Local' spokesperson Mike Ward will kick off a nationwide campaign to encourage New Zealanders to support local businesses when he hosts a public meeting in Auckland on Thursday evening, March 13. See... Buy Local is the best brand of Kiwi loyalty [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00174.htm

Bradford Says People’s Centre Will Recover

- Green MP and founder of the three Auckland Peoples Centres, Sue Bradford, said she is confident the beleaguered health and advocacy service in Auckland will fully return to business by later this year. See... Peoples Centre on road to recovery [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00169.htm

Creating More Jobs The Key to Progress

- Creating an environment where jobs and businesses in the New Zealand’s film and television industry can grow, is the aim of the Screen Production Industry Taskforce report, said Industry and Regional Development Minister Jim Anderton. See... TV and Film taskforce report received [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00168.htm

DHB Debacle Impacts On Rural GPs

- The Government run down of the New Zealand health service is pitching cash strapped district health boards against rural GPs for funding, as both struggle to deliver services, says National Health Spokesperson Dr Lynda Scott. See... Govt breaks funding promise to rural GPs [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00167.htm

Border Controls In a Shambles: Nats

- New Zealanders should be increasingly concerned about the shambolic state of our country's border controls, according to National Party Biosecurity spokesman Shane Ardern. See... Biosecurity woefully inadequate [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00164.htm

Asia 2000 appoints Five To BOT

- Sir Dryden Spring, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Asia 2000 Foundation of New Zealand (Asia 2000), has welcomed the appointment of five new members to the Board by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Hon. Phil Goff. See... Asia 2000 Foundation announces new Board members [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00077.htm

Drugs and Suicide: The Links Debated

- It is surprising that the news item in the Dominion Post last weekend in which Wellington coroner Gary Evans warned about the connection between cannabis use and suicide has been taken so seriously by the media. See... Drug Policy and Education Council Wellington [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00076.htm

Govt Must Ban Pharmaceutical GE Crops

- The government is being urged to permanently ban GM " pharmaceutical" crops from New Zealand, even if it continues to allow GM field-trials, or pushes on with its plan to lift the current moratorium on applications for GM releases. See... Govt urged to ban GM " pharmaceutical" crops [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00075.htm

Food Nutrition Info Improves

- New Zealanders are becoming more health conscious and are seeking better information on food so they can improve their eating habits, says Ministry of Health spokesperson Dr Barry Borman. See... Food nutrition information grows [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00078.htm

Maharey Notes

- Social Services and Employment Minister Steve Maharey travelled to Nelson last week for the first of a nationwide series of forums on how to address regional skill shortages. Low unemployment across New Zealand is creating difficulties that New Zealand has ... See... Maharey Notes: Forum Focuses Minds On Skills Gap [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00173.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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