ID Cards 'To Be Enforced By 2008'/UK-- New World Media Watch

[Gloria]

Full excerpts, links up now at http://www.zianet.com/insightanalytical
Tomorrow at Buzzflash.com


WORLD MEDIA WATCH FOR APRIL 5, 2004

1//The Independent, UK--ID CARDS ‘TO BE ENFORCED BY 2008’ (Everyone in Britain could be forced to have identity cards within five years under a fast-track plan by David Blunkett which is backed by Tony Blair and gaining support within the Cabinet…Government sources said yesterday that the "centre of gravity" in the Cabinet was now moving towards a "big bang" introduction of a compulsory system. Last Thursday, Mr Blair told a press conference that cards would be brought in "probably more quickly than we anticipated".)



2//Asia Times Online, Hong Kong--IRAQI OIL: HANGING IN THE BALANCE (But as US and Iraqi oil engineers push to raise output, it is far from certain whether production can be further increased - or even sustained at current levels - in the near future. Gerald Butt, an oil industry analyst with the Cyprus-based Middle East Economic Survey, says the current production level will likely have to drop in the short term to allow engineers to make badly needed repairs…He also notes that Iraq's oil sector remains beset by uncertainties, ranging from still unreliable - though improving - electricity supplies to security problems.)



3//The Mena Report, Jordan--US OCCUPYING AUTHORITIES RESTRUCTURE IRAQI COMPANY LAW (US presidential envoy to Iraq and administrator of the occupying Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) Paul Bremer signed into law an order that will revise Iraq Company Law of 1997…Important changes to the company law include ensuring substantially equal treatment of foreign investors with local nationals for purposes of establishing entities and reducing the steps and time necessary to form companies and requiring the Registrar of Companies to act within set time periods in processing company formations and recapitalizations.)



4//The Daily Star, Lebanon--ARABS DIVIDED OVER US PLAN (Arabs are still divided over the United States plan for introducing political reforms in the Arab world, despite eight days of high-level talks and a flurry of meetings by Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa…But one of the most important results of the failure of the Tunis summit was the birth of an Arab quadripartite alliance of Tunisia, Libya, Algeria and Morocco to face up to the tripartite alliance of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria and their satellite states, according to official reports sent to Beirut. Another result of the failed summit was the birth of a moderate Arab alliance including Qatar, Yemen and Sudan.



5//The Moscow Times, Russia--DUMA RETHINKS BAN ON PROTESTS (In the wake of "serious social resonance," the State Duma's United Russia majority backpedaled from outright support of a bill banning rallies in many public places Friday, just two days after voting in favor of it… Critics from the left and right have castigated the bill as a violation of democratic norms and an attempt to stifle freedom of expression. They also accused the bill's pro-Kremlin backers of trying to insulate themselves from unpleasant criticism by keeping protesters far from sight. Calling the question of permitted venues "the hottest debate," Gryzlov said amendments would be made to allow protests outside seats of state power except presidential residences, which will remain off limits.)