Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Thursday, 13 March 2003, 6:07 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Saving Air NZ: Cullen And Norris Admit "Proposed Merger" Is Straw Man
Examining The Real War Motivations
Scoop Images: Big Blue
Babylon Express: Who Will Be The Next Iraqi Dictator ?
Scoop Satire: Rumsfeld's Diary Reveals Panic
Coercing A Coalition: William Rivers Pitt
Ways To Stop War (5) - Sing About It
Senator Robert Byrd – US As Peacemaker Turned Warmonger
Britain Proposes Six Step Path To War
Is The UK In Or Out?
Forgotten Prisoners Of Guantánamo In Even Deeper
Pentagon Says It Rules In Outer Space
Serbian Prime Minister Assassinated
Daily Katya Rivas's Passion

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Goff Delivers Speech On Iraq
Greenpeace Calls On UN To Uphold Peace Ideals
Peace Vigils Info
Govt Muzzles Tamihere… Again
Cullen Speaks to Union-Govt Forum
Workers Lent PM’s Ear
Parole Board Blocks Victim’s Access To Information
Parole Strikes Again
Re-classification of Speed Welcomed: ACT
Nats Sustain Attack on Govt’s Welfare Record
Govt Secures Up Trade
Trade Libs Say GATS Is Cool
Maori Owned Waikato Forest To Be Protected
Southland Forest a New Reserve
Copeland Says NZ Is Lazy With Debt
Govt Announces New DHB Chair
King Speech To Private Hospital’s Assn
ACT’s First-Up For A Conference
Sex Offender Should Have Been On Register: Coddington
Centralising Education Reform Continues
Race Relations Conciliator Ducking Culpability
Negotiations Ongoing at Kinleith
GE Free To Highlight GM Foods
Belinda Clark To Be Acting CE Of Courts
Commissioner Complaint Determined by HR Act
SPCA Encouraged By Harsher Cruelty Penalty
Richmond Fellowship States Defamation Details
ALAC Says Loosening Booze Ad Rules Is Stupid
Alleged Czech Wildlife Smuggler Arrested

Saving Air NZ: Cullen And Norris Admit "Proposed Merger" Is Straw Man

- So what's the Real Deal… Perhaps Freedom will be sold? Perhaps Air New Zealand's international and domestic arms separated? There is always the delightful possibility that the "real deal" is "no deal". Perhaps all this has been a cunning charade by Air New Zealand to keep Qantas at bay while Air New Zealand mended its operations after the Ansett Debacle? See... Saving Air NZ: So What's The Real Deal Michael? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00093.htm

Examining The Real War Motivations

- It's easy to vilify George W. Bush as a cynical warmonger, anxious to attack Iraq to repay the oil companies that funded his election campaigns. But to do so is to make a dangerous and fundamental error, and such a myopic view of the Bush administration's policies puts America's future at risk. See... Thom Hartmann: The Empire Needs New Clothes [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00092.htm

Scoop Images: Big Blue

- A composite image taken from the FV San Aotea II to show what a New Zealand Air Force Orion Flylover looks like from the other end! See... Scoop Images: The View From The Deck In Big Blue [1] and Big Blue [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00091.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00125.htm

Babylon Express: Who Will Be The Next Iraqi Dictator ?

-United States President George Bush Junior continued to up the ante on arch-nemesis Saddam Hussein last night by releasing a list of potential candidates that may be called up to replace the Iraqi dictator if, as expected, he is deposed during the soon-to-be-released multi-military media extravaganza Gulf War II: Oil’s Well that Ends Welled. See... Scoop Satire: Iraqi Post-War Candidates List [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00090.htm

Scoop Satire: Rumsfeld's Diary Reveals Panic

Dear Diary: They're on to us. It all looked so easy when we drew it up: We'd talk tough, frighten those who might oppose us, get our war plans in high gear, and move before anybody could do anything about it. See... Inside Rummy's Diary: They're On To Us! Let's Roll [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00089.htm

Coercing A Coalition: William Rivers Pitt

- A lot of people started the week thinking there would be war by Monday. A lot of people were wrong. See... UQ Wire: Betting on War with a Pair of Kings [1] MORE ON COERCING A COALITION: - Scoop Reader - Reader Opinion: The Global Bully [2] - BTL - U.S. Coalition of the Willing or the Coerced? [3] - COHA - Mexico On The UN and Iraq - Arm-Twisting Diplomacy [4] - Greens - Floating Council Members Urged To Reject US Bribes [5] - Kofi Annan - Annan appeals for Security Council unity [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00088.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00081.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00069.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00133.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00170.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00143.htm

Ways To Stop War (5) - Sing About It

- Platinum selling Australian Icon, James Blundell is today releasing a song dedicated to one simple question the whole world is asking, "Do we want a war?" See... Anti-War Anthem - Back It Up! – James Blundell [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00171.htm

Senator Robert Byrd – US As Peacemaker Turned Warmonger

- The United Nations is in diplomatic disarray today as the foreign ministers from the world's most powerful nations scramble to find some scrap of common ground on the question of war with Iraq. See... America Peacemaker Becomes America Warmonger [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00165.htm

Britain Proposes Six Step Path To War

- The British ambassador to the UN is circulating six tests by which Iraqi compliance would be measured, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has said. See... Jack Straw: Six tests' to measure Iraqi compliance [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00182.htm

Is The UK In Or Out?

"Asked if it was conceivable that US troops might go into action in Iraq without the British military, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that it was important to put Donald Rumsfeld's comments into context. " See... UK PMOS Briefings On Iraq March 12 2003 [1] . Meanwhile at the White House… "The President feels very deeply that especially in a democracy the right thing to do from the point of view of winning the support of the public is to act in the name of peace." - Press Briefing by Ari Fleischer - March 12, 2003 [2] Rumsfeld's Original Remarks: - DoD News Briefing Mar 11 - Rumsfeld and Gen. Myers [3] and Rumsfeld Clarifies Comment About Attacking Sans UK [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00184.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00185.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00156.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00155.htm

Forgotten Prisoners Of Guantánamo In Even Deeper

- Yesterday's federal court ruling on the Guantánamo detainees it will cause further damage to the international reputation of the USA and to fundamental human rights standards agreed to across the world, Amnesty International said today. See... Guantánamo Detainees - The Legal Black Hole Deepen [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00181.htm

Pentagon Says It Rules In Outer Space

- Anybody who goes against the massive space capability of the U.S. military "is in for a tough go," Air Force Maj. Gen. Franklin J. "Judd" Blaisdell told reporters during a Pentagon press briefing today. See... Dominance in Space Makes General 'Pity the Enemy' [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00172.htm

Serbian Prime Minister Assassinated

- Belgrade, March 12, 2003 - Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic was shot at 12.25 local time in front of the Serbian Government Building. See... Serbian Prime Minister Assassinated [1] , Biography: The Late Serbian PM Zoran Djindjic [2] and Acting Serbian Pres declares state of emergency [3] - Colin Powell - Assassination of Serbian Prime Minister [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00167.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00169.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00168.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0303/S00177.htm

Daily Katya Rivas's Passion

- Nobody really believes that I perspired blood that night at Gethsemane, and few believe that I suffered much more in those hours than in the Crucifixion. See... Katya Rivas: Jesus Prays in the Garden [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0303/S00087.htm

Goff Delivers Speech On Iraq

- The issue of Iraq so dominates international affairs today that my comments this afternoon would risk irrelevance if I were not to focus on it. See... Phil Goff Speech: Iraq crisis: NZ's position [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00213.htm

Greenpeace Calls On UN To Uphold Peace Ideals

- Auckland Thursday 14 March 2003: Greenpeace and the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York called on countries to support a new resolution by all members of the United Nations to uphold the UN Charter and hold an Emergency Session of the General ... See... Greenpeace Calls on the World to Unite for Peace [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00104.htm

Peace Vigils Info

- In response to the call from MoveOn and the Win Without War coalition (see message copied below), there will be a candle-lit vigil for peace starting at 7pm, on Sunday 16 March, in Russell, Waiheke Island, Piha, New Plymouth, Fielding, and Wellington. See... Global Peace Vigils, this Sunday [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00106.htm

Govt Muzzles Tamihere… Again

- The proposed merger of the Ministry of Youth Affairs into the Ministry of Social Development is a public slap in the face for John Tamihere, says National MP Simon Power. See... Government tries to silence Tamihere again [1] - English - Clark should take Tamihere seriously [2] - Rich - Naughty Johnny strikes again [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00222.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00211.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00209.htm

Cullen Speaks to Union-Govt Forum

- Good evening, and thank you for coming here tonight. I realise that for most of you, the discussions come at the end of a full day’s work outside of a policy and union context. I hope you find the exercise both interesting and relevant. See... Michael Cullen Speech: Union-government forum [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00208.htm

Workers Lent PM’s Ear

- “Giving workers a chance to have a direct dialogue with the Prime Minister and senior Ministers is an important feature of the social partnership relationship between the Clark Government and the Council of Trade Unions,” CTU president Ross Wilson ... See... Prime Minister's Union Forum Gives Workers a Say [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00099.htm

Parole Board Blocks Victim’s Access To Information

- The Parole Board won't tell murdered pizza delivery driver Michael Choy's mother, Rita Croskery, when the woman who robbed her dying son will come before it, United Future MP Marc Alexander said today. See... Alexander: Murdered man's mum getting run-around [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00221.htm

Parole Strikes Again

- ACT Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks today said the Minnell case is nothing out of the ordinary, despite the misery it is causing the families of the boys killed by Wanganui hit-and-run driver Victor Minnell. See... More Misery From Parole [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00205.htm

Re-classification of Speed Welcomed: ACT

- ACT New Zealand Police Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today welcomed recommendations to re-classify Speed, or methamphetamine, as a Class A drug - but said the new label would be meaningless if police were unable to use their new powers. See... Re-Classification Alone Not Enough [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00210.htm

Nats Sustain Attack on Govt’s Welfare Record

- National Leader Bill English has attacked Government policies which encourage welfare dependency and avoid helping those in need, in a speech outlining some of National's plans to toughen up on welfare. See... National outlines welfare reforms [1] ALSO: - English’s Speech - Speech – Bill English: Outline of welfare reforms [2] - Government - Bill English’s speech last night on National’s approach to welfare confirms the party is totally confused on welfare and has reverted to bumper sticker policies it knows do not work, says Social Services and Employment Minister Steve Maharey. See... Dazed and confused – National on welfare [3] - Progressive Coalition - National hopeless on reducing welfare numbers [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00202.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00201.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00220.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00217.htm

Govt Secures Up Trade

- Government planning aimed at securing New Zealand’s trade in the changed world environment is now underway, Customs Minister Rick Barker said today. See... Security of New Zealand trade under review [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00215.htm

Trade Libs Say GATS Is Cool

- The General Agreement on Trade in Services is part of a series of agreements members of the World Trade Organisation signed onto in 1995. It’s a set of rules which applies to international trade in services between the 145 members of the WTO. See... THE GUTS ON GATS – It’s a Good Thing! [1] ALSO: - Alliance - Alliance Opposed To Gats Negotiations [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00100.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00107.htm

Maori Owned Waikato Forest To Be Protected

- A 1600 hectare block of Maori-owned forest in the Waikato is to be protected as a conservation reserve under a new kawenata (convenant) signed with the owners, Conservation Minister Chris Carter announced today. See... Covenant agreed for substantial Waikato forest [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00219.htm

Southland Forest a New Reserve

- A slice of Southland native forest is to be set aside as a new reserve, the first negotiated under the Government's new SILNA conservation proposals, Conservation Minister Chris Carter announced today. See... New Protection for Southland SILNA Forest [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00216.htm

Copeland Says NZ Is Lazy With Debt

- It is time to address the "nation's balance sheet" which sees New Zealand as the most indebted nation in the OECD, United Future finance spokesman Gordon Copeland said today. See... Copeland attacks 'lazy' debt [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00218.htm

Govt Announces New DHB Chair

- Health Minister Annette King today announced the appointment of Ingrid Nea Collins as chair of the board of Tairawhiti District Health Board (DHB). See... King appoints Tairawhiti DHB chair [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00214.htm

King Speech To Private Hospital’s Assn

- Thank you very much for inviting me to speak to you today. I am always pleased to have the opportunity to talk with people who are committed to delivering high quality health and disability services, but I was very keen to do so today for another reason ... See... Address to NZ Private Hospitals Assn Seminar [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00212.htm

ACT’s First-Up For A Conference

- ACT New Zealand Leader Richard Prebble said today that this weekend ACT will be the first political party to hold its annual conference. See... ACT New Zealand Annual Conference [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00207.htm

Sex Offender Should Have Been On Register: Coddington

- Recidivist sexual predator Barry Ryder would have been added to the central Sex Offender Register after his first offences if legislation by ACT Associate Justice Spokesman Deborah Coddington had been enacted years ago. See... Ryder Should Have Been on Register [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00206.htm

Centralising Education Reform Continues

- The merger of the Early Childhood Development agency into the Ministry of Education deserves scrutiny, says National's early education spokesman Phil Heatley. See... More centralisation of education [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00204.htm

Race Relations Conciliator Ducking Culpability

- A bid by the Race Relations Commissioner to claim immunity from the Race Relations legislation to duck a complaint against his Taleban speech is a double standard of breathtaking proportions, says National MP Murray McCully. See... Commissioner tries to hide from own Act [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0303/S00203.htm

Negotiations Ongoing at Kinleith

- Talks under way at the Kinleith pulp and paper mill are expected to last all day. See... Kinleith update [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00105.htm

GE Free To Highlight GM Foods

- New Zealand Consumer Rights groups will be backing World Consumer Rights Day 2003, 15 March, to highlight the issues on genetically modified foods and the methods used by companies to control the food we eat. See... March 15th World Consumer Rights Day [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00103.htm

Belinda Clark To Be Acting CE Of Courts

- The State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, announced today that he has asked the Secretary for Justice, Belinda Clark, to act as Chief Executive of the Department for Courts. See... Acting Chief Executive For Department For Courts [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00102.htm

Commissioner Complaint Determined by HR Act

- A complaint made against the Race Relations Commissioner is barred from proceeding to the Human Rights Review Tribunal by Section 130 of the Human Rights Act. This does not preclude the complaint from being considered as part of a disputes resolution ... See... Complaint against Commissioner subject to HR Act [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00101.htm

SPCA Encouraged By Harsher Cruelty Penalty

- The Royal New Zealand SPCA says it's delighted by the sentence handed down in the Auckland District Court today to a Northland man found guilty of ill-treating horses. See... Tough Fine Hailed In Animal Cruelty Case [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00098.htm

Richmond Fellowship States Defamation Details

- A board member of Richmond Fellowship New Zealand has received letters of retraction and apology from Richmond’s former human resources manager, Paul Bradley, following a recommendation of the High Court that Mr Bradley publish corrections in a claim ... See... Board Member Achieves Apology in High Court Action [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00097.htm

ALAC Says Loosening Booze Ad Rules Is Stupid

- Freeing up current rules around liquor advertising codes won’t help New Zealand’s current heavy drinking culture says the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand. See... Alac Says No To Loosening Up Of Liquor Advertising [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00096.htm

Alleged Czech Wildlife Smuggler Arrested

- One alleged wildlife smuggler was arrested by the New Zealand Police at Wellington’s Lynx ferry terminal today. See... IIlegal wildlife trade stopped by joint agencies [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00095.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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