vips

LETTER N° 29

From 15 to 21 of July

15
IOC

IOC votes on new chief.

The International Olympic Committee votes for a president to replace the controversial Juan Antonio Samaranch, who retires in 2001. IOC Vice-President Anita L DeFrantz from the United States has thrown her hat into the ring. There are four other definite candidates. Belgium's Jacques Rogge,Canada's Dick Pound, South Korea's Kim Un-Yong and Hungary's Pal Schmitt have more realistic hopes of the presidency. The South Korean candidate is given a strong chance of winning, despite recent fame for his role in the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics bribery scandal.

15
Pakistan-India

(Summit)

Pakistani, Indian leaders meet about Kashmir

The meeting between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pervez Musharraf is the first summit meeting between India and Pakistan in over two years. The Indian premier invited then-General Musharraf to attempt to break a deadlock in peace talks over Kashmir. More precisely, the aim is to reduce tensions so both of the cash-strapped countries will need to spend less on defense. In a declaration that portends obstacles, Vajpayee has asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is an "integral part" of India and this position would remain "unchanged" during the talks. "What we will be discussing would be one third of Kashmir occupied by Pakistan ... " he said in June.

15
Bangladesh

Latifur Rahman is sworn in as head of a caretaker administration, holding the title of chief adviser.

Rahman, who completed his post-graduation in English and LLB from Dhaka University in 1956 and 1958 respectively, enrolled himself as an advocate of Dhaka High Court in March 1960 and in the Pakistan Supreme Court in 1965. Born on March 1, 1936 at Jessore town, Justice Rahman became a judge of the Appellate Division on January 15, 1990 and took the office of the Chief Justice on January 1, 2000. Justice Rahman is the third son of late Khan Bahadur Lutfor Rahman, an eminent Lawyer of Jessore Bar. He delivered many judgements in habeas corpus matters laying down the rational to explain the true intent and purpose of the Special Powers Act for the guidance of the executive with a view to avoiding the misuse of the authority under the Act.

15-19
Brunei

Brunei sultan celebrates 55th birthday.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Brunei-Darrusalam is one of the richest men in the world, but anticipates looking at the "bottom of the well" of the oil-derived wealth of the sultanate within 25 years. Worried about this, the Sultan and his Cabinet are planning cutbacks and diversification of the economy, now built almost completely on petrodollars.

There is no indication yet that the Sultan's birthday celebrations will be scaled back to reflect leaner times. Traditionally lavish, the multi-day national party includes banquets and a parade through the city.

As the Sultan's personal wealth is buttressed by massive overseas investments, such as hotels and cattle ranches, the impact of the former British protectorate's change in fortunes is unlikely to cause privation in the Royal family. For the Sultan, leaner times mean increases in the cost of running his 132-foot yacht, 2000 cars and 17 aircraft. For Brunei citizens as a whole, the change spells the end to free medical care and no-interest loans. Implementing income tax and privatization is part of the Sultan's immediate plan.

The plan to diversify grew out of the 1997 regional economic crisis, which set off alarms, even in wealthy Brunei. The Brunei International Financial Center is part of the diversification package. New financial laws are expected to be in place by year end to launch Brunei as a regional hub like Singapore or Bahrain.

16
IOC

Jacques Rogge the successor to Juan Antonio Samaranch was elected in the second round of a secret ballot.

Jacques Rogge profil : Born 2nd May 1942, Ghent. Marital status Married to Anne Bovijn ; two children. Education Doctor of Medicine ; degree in sports medicine, surgeon. Languages Dutch, French, English, German, Spanish. Career Orthopaedic surgeon ; former sports medicine lecturer, Université Libre, Brussels and University of Ghent. Sports practised Sailing, rugby. Sports career Yachting : competitor in the Games of the Olympiad in Mexico (1968), Munich (1972) and Montreal (1976) ; world champion and twice runner up, 16 times Belgian champion ; Rugby: Belgian champion, player in the national team. Sports administration President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) (1989-) ; Vice-President of ANOC ; President of the NOC (1989-1992) ; chef de mission at the Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck (1976) and Calgary (1988) ; chef de mission at the Games of the Olympiad in Moscow (1980), Los Angeles (1984) and Seoul (1988) ; former Chairman of the Medical Commission of the ISAF ; World Anti-Doping Agency Council Member (1999). IOC IOC member since 1991 ; member of the Executive Board (1998-) ; Chairman of the Coordination Commissions for the Games of the XXVII Olympiad in Sydney in 2000 (1995-2000) and for the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, in Athens 2004 (1998-) ; member of the following Commissions : Olympic Movement (1990-1999), Olympic Solidarity (1990-), Olympic Programme, (Working Group, 1998), Medical (1992-1993, Vice-Chairman since (1994), "IOC 2000" (Executive Committee, 1999).

16
Croatia

Croatia's pro-reform government survived a confidence vote, prompted by its decision to send two generals to the United Nations War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague. The government won by a comfortable 93-36 vote margin. The vote came after a lengthy debate in Parliament and a dramatic appeal from Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan.

16
Malaysia

Malaysia's prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, marked 20 years in office, joining an elite club of long-serving world leaders.

During his 20 years in power, Mr. Mahathir has managed to dampen tensions in the country's volatile ethnic mix of Malays, Chinese and Indians, while aggressively setting Malaysia down a path of stability and economic development. Still, he has stifled dissent, both within his own party and in the streets.

Mahathir Mohamad likes to say the Frank Sinatra classic "My Way" is his favorite song. The tune, with its indelible refrain, "I did it my way", is an apt anthem for the 75-year-old Malaysian leader. Mr. Mahathir has always preferred do things in his own, unorthodox, personal style, even when his actions courted controversy and criticism.

17
Turkey

The Turkish transport and communications minister, Enis Oksuz, who is seen as a key opponent of Turkey's economic recovery programme, has resigned from the government.

Oksuz profil : He was born in Tarsus in the year 1946. Completed his primary education in Sarðkavak Village and secondary education in Tarsus Lycee. Enrolled in the Faculty of Economics of the Universtiy of Istanbul in 1963 from where the graduated in 1967. Completed his post graduate studies at the Management Economics institute of the same Faculty in 1968. Assigned as expert at the Foreign Capital Section State Planning Organisation, Deparment of Incentives in August 1968. Entered as assistant to the Department of Sociology and Methodology of the Faculty of Economics of the Universty of Ðstanbul in March 1970. Completed his doctoral studies on 1974. Studied professional topics at Oxford Universty for one year in 1977-78. Became associate professor in 1980. He holds the position of the Professor on Administration and Labour Sociology at the Department of Labour Economics and Industrial Relations at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Istanbul. Besides academic works; he has attended study groups, panel discussions and informative meetings in Russia, Turkish Republics, Iran, Japan and countries of central and western Europe. Worked for the preparation of the Southeast Anatolia (GAP) Master Plan as member of the Group on Population and Small Scale Industries. Assigned as Adviser to the Ministry of the Transport and Communications in August 1987, and the Prime Ministerís Office in 1988 while working at the University. Served as Adviser to the concerned State Minister on Etibank, consequently as member of the Board of Directors of the said State Bank. Served as member of the High Collective Bargaining Board. He is married and has two children. At the same time he holds the post of Deputy Head of Nationalist Movement Party.

17
Yugoslavia

President Vojislav Kostunica nominated Dragisa Pesic, finance minister in the outgoing administration, as prime minister-designate with the job of forming a new government.

18
Bosnia and Hercegovina

Parliament appointed Bosnian Foreign Minister Zlatko Lagumdzija, the leader of a pro-Western alliance, as the country's new prime minister.

Zlatko Lagumdzija was born on December 26, 1955, in Sarajevo, where his father was mayor. After studying at Harvard University he received a PhD degree in computer science he returned to Bosnia in 1989 to teach at Sarajevo University. In 1990 he co-founded the SDP. In 1993 he was badly injured by a grenade. After his operation in Stockholm he returned to Sarajevo. In 1997 he became head of his party. "Yes, I would accept this position," Mr. Lagumdzija answers when asked if he can imagine himself being president some day. "But of what ?" he replies quickly.

20-22
G8

G8 SUMMIT

History :

On the15th and 17th of November 1975 a summit of the heads of government of France, the United States , Great Britain, Germany, Japan and Italy was held in Rambouillet, France. Under such circumstances, prompted by a need to face the oil crisis in a common way, came to view the idea of an annual meeting with the representants of the greatest idustrial powers in the world, to study the main political and economic issues and their consequences on the international community. Canada, from San Juan of Porto Rico summit in 1976 joined the Rambouillet meeting and the European Comunity from the London summit of 1977,too. The group formed by these industrial powers named the G7 remained stable and unchanged for several years despite some contacts preceeding and followig the summit, with representantsof other nations: thus in 1985 with leaders from 15 developping countries in 1991 and with the U.S.S.R. from the Naples summit of 1994, and resulting in the constitution of the P8 (8 Politicians), which included the powers of the G7 and Russia. Such meetings would lead to the conclusion of every summit. The Russian participation to the economic discussions was already asserted at the Denver summit of 1997, and turned into a full participation the following year in Birmingham. So, the G7 becomes the G8. The matters at issue in the summit also stretched out from macroeconomics (international trade, relations with developping countries) to microeconomic (employment, environment), and problems dealing with organized crime, the diffusion of drug, and the arms control, and terrorism. In order to study such matters they set a network of ministerial meetings between the involved ministries successively , the Ministry of Trade (1982), of Foreign Affairs (1984), of Finance (1986), of Environment (1992), of Labour (1994). Task forces would cope withspecific issues such as nuclear security, whitewash of narcodollars, the struggle against criminality.

19
Nepal

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala resigns.

Girija Prasad Koiralai profil : Born in 1925. Political career began at Biratnagar Jute Mills (BJM) Nepal. Arrested and imprisoned in 1960. Self-exiled to India, 1971-1979. Founding Chairman Nepal Trade Union Congress, 1990. Stood voice to reconstitute the Constitution Commission (constituted on May 11 1990) May 1990 elected Member (NC), House of Representatives (HOR) from Morang district constituency no. 1 (polled 16403) and Sunsari district constituency no. 3 (polled 27469), May 12,1991. Leader of the majority party in the House Of Representatives. Elected Prime Minister of Nepal with the portfolios of Royal Palace Affairs, Foreign, Defence, Health and Finance Ministries, May 29, 1991. Entrusted Prime Ministership for carrying out the task of holding the mid-term elections to be held on Nov 13, 1994 in a fair and impartial manner later the date was rescheduled to Nov 15, 1994), July 11, 1994. Re-elected member, HOR from the Sunsari and Morang dist const no. 5 and 1 (polled 19047 and 21013), Nov 15,1994. Resigned from the Sunsari district constituency no. 5, Jan 16, 1995. Elected unopposed Member, NC Mahasamiti from Rangeli Village Dev Committee, Morang district const no. 1, Apr 23,1996. Elected to the post of party Chairman (polled 1144) at the 9th General Convention of NC, Kath, May 9, 1996. Prime minister (3rd time) since 22 Mar 2000.

PRESIDENTIAL VISITS

15-18
Chinese President visits Russia.

Jiang Zemin returns President Vladimir Putin's visit to China in July 2000. The two leaders are reported to be planning several meetings in 2001. China's military second-in-command, Zhang Wannian, visited Moscow in February. He reports that China and Russia will sign several bilateral agreements that boost strategic cooperation to ensure global stability and security. The two leaders conferred by phone following the summit in June of Putin and United States President George W. Bush, and remain united in condemnation of Bush's plans to develop a missile defense shield.

15-18
Haitian President visits Cuba

Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide arrived in Havana, expressing optimism for a resolution of his domestic political crisis, and praising Cuba for sending hundreds of doctors to its poor Caribbean neighbor.

16-18
President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan visit to Greece

The visiting president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, discussed the possibility of shipping oil through Greece with President Costis Stephanopoulos.

The two countries signed an economic cooperation agreement.

18-24
US President visits Europe.

George W. Bush's tour begins in Britain, where he has lunch at Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth and meets Prime Minister Tony Blair. The next stop is the G-8 Summit in Genoa and bilateral meetings with the G-8 leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Jul 23 he visits Pope Paul II and Italian government figures, then pays a quick trip to Kosovo on the way home to Washington. He can expect a challenge from almost every leader on his position on gobal warming emissions and his national missile defense plan, as well as anti-American/anti-capitalist demonstrations at most ports of call.

19
China President visits Belarus

Chinese President Jiang Zemin said in Minsk that China will work with the Belarussian side together to bring the full-range friendly and cooperative relations between China and Belarus to a higher level in the new century.

Jiang, who is on a state visit to Belarus, made the remarks during talks with Alexander Lukashenko, president of Belarus. China has always paid great attention to developing relations with Belarus and respected the choice Belarus made on its development approach and its internal and foreign policy, Jiang said. China supports the efforts of Belarus to oppose any foreign interference and to safeguard its

20-23
Chinese President In Ukraine For a State Visit

During his visit, Jiang held talks with Kuchma, and met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Anatoly Kinakh and Chairman of the Supreme Council of Ukraine Ivan Plyushch. In the political area, the two sides say they will strictly abide by all political documents signed by the two countries, and make even greater efforts to raise bilateral relations to a higher level, said the statement. Jiang's current visit to Ukraine has injected new vigor to the development of China-Ukraine relations in the new century, it pointed out.

Relations between the two countries soured in 1997, after Kiev unofficially received a Taiwanese notable, but have markedly improved since. China views Taiwan, ruled by Chinese who fled the Communist takeover of the mainland in 1949, as a renegade province.

THIS WEEK'S STORY

18 July 1918

Mandela celebrates his 83rd birthday

President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was South Africa's first democratically elected president. The story of his struggle against apartheid is widely known and documented, as is the exemplary leadership role he plays in South Africa and across the African continent. President Mandela is a unique and special person who is able to stand above other men yet take a delight in mixing with children

He was born at Qunu, near Umtata on 18 July 1918. After matriculating, he started a BA degree at Fort Hare University. As a result of his participation in a student strike he, along with the late Oliver Tambo, was expelled in 1940. He completed his degree by correspondence and enrolled for an LLB at the University of the Witwatersrand. In 1944 he helped found the ANC Youth League.

By 1952 Mandela and Tambo had opened the first black legal firm in the country, and Mandela was both Transvaal president of the ANC and deputy national president. In the late 50's he was forced to officially resign from the ANC because of constant bannings. When the ANC was banned in 1960 after the Sharpeville massacre, he was detained until 1961 after which he went underground. The military wing of the ANC, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), was started the same year. Under his leadership it launched a campaign of sabotage against government and economic installations.

In 1962 Mandela left the country for military training in Algeria and to arrange training for other MK members. On his return he was arrested for leaving the country illegally and for incitement to strike. He was convicted and jailed for five years. While serving his sentence, he was charged, in the Rivonia trial, with sabotage and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was imprisoned on Robben Island, where he became a central figure in the organized political education classes.

During the seventies he was offered a remission of sentence if he would recognise the Transkei and settle there. He refused. In the eighties he once again rejected an offer of freedom, this time from PW Botha. The condition this time was that he should renounce violence. He was released on Sunday 11 February 1990 Shortly after this the armed struggle was suspended.

Mandela has honorary degrees from more than 50 international universities and is chancellor of the University of the North.

He was inaugurated as State President of South Africa on 10 May 1994

In a life that symbolises the triumph of the human spirit over man' s inhumanity to man, Nelson Mandela accepted the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of all South Africans who suffered and sacrificed so much to bring peace to our land.

ALSO SEE

Chiefs of State and Heads of Government Foreign Affairs World Parliaments Federated States and Provinces World Governments International Organizations

15 IOC		IOC votes on new chief. The International Olympic Committee votes for a president to replace the controversial Juan Antonio Samaranch, who retires in 2001. IOC Vice-President Anita L DeFrantz from the United States has thrown her hat into the ring. There are four other definite candidates. Belgium's Jacques Rogge,Canada's Dick Pound, South Korea's Kim Un-Yong and Hungary's Pal Schmitt have more realistic hopes of the presidency. The South Korean candidate is given a strong chance of winning, despite recent fame for his role in the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics bribery scandal.
15 Pakistan-India (Summit)		Pakistani, Indian leaders meet about Kashmir The meeting between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pervez Musharraf is the first summit meeting between India and Pakistan in over two years. The Indian premier invited then-General Musharraf to attempt to break a deadlock in peace talks over Kashmir. More precisely, the aim is to reduce tensions so both of the cash-strapped countries will need to spend less on defense. In a declaration that portends obstacles, Vajpayee has asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is an "integral part" of India and this position would remain "unchanged" during the talks. "What we will be discussing would be one third of Kashmir occupied by Pakistan ... " he said in June.
15 Bangladesh		Latifur Rahman is sworn in as head of a caretaker administration, holding the title of chief adviser. Rahman, who completed his post-graduation in English and LLB from Dhaka University in 1956 and 1958 respectively, enrolled himself as an advocate of Dhaka High Court in March 1960 and in the Pakistan Supreme Court in 1965. Born on March 1, 1936 at Jessore town, Justice Rahman became a judge of the Appellate Division on January 15, 1990 and took the office of the Chief Justice on January 1, 2000. Justice Rahman is the third son of late Khan Bahadur Lutfor Rahman, an eminent Lawyer of Jessore Bar. He delivered many judgements in habeas corpus matters laying down the rational to explain the true intent and purpose of the Special Powers Act for the guidance of the executive with a view to avoiding the misuse of the authority under the Act.
15-19 Brunei		Brunei sultan celebrates 55th birthday. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Brunei-Darrusalam is one of the richest men in the world, but anticipates looking at the "bottom of the well" of the oil-derived wealth of the sultanate within 25 years. Worried about this, the Sultan and his Cabinet are planning cutbacks and diversification of the economy, now built almost completely on petrodollars. There is no indication yet that the Sultan's birthday celebrations will be scaled back to reflect leaner times. Traditionally lavish, the multi-day national party includes banquets and a parade through the city. As the Sultan's personal wealth is buttressed by massive overseas investments, such as hotels and cattle ranches, the impact of the former British protectorate's change in fortunes is unlikely to cause privation in the Royal family. For the Sultan, leaner times mean increases in the cost of running his 132-foot yacht, 2000 cars and 17 aircraft. For Brunei citizens as a whole, the change spells the end to free medical care and no-interest loans. Implementing income tax and privatization is part of the Sultan's immediate plan. The plan to diversify grew out of the 1997 regional economic crisis, which set off alarms, even in wealthy Brunei. The Brunei International Financial Center is part of the diversification package. New financial laws are expected to be in place by year end to launch Brunei as a regional hub like Singapore or Bahrain.
16 IOC		Jacques Rogge the successor to Juan Antonio Samaranch was elected in the second round of a secret ballot. Jacques Rogge profil : Born 2nd May 1942, Ghent. Marital status Married to Anne Bovijn ; two children. Education Doctor of Medicine ; degree in sports medicine, surgeon. Languages Dutch, French, English, German, Spanish. Career Orthopaedic surgeon ; former sports medicine lecturer, Université Libre, Brussels and University of Ghent. Sports practised Sailing, rugby. Sports career Yachting : competitor in the Games of the Olympiad in Mexico (1968), Munich (1972) and Montreal (1976) ; world champion and twice runner up, 16 times Belgian champion ; Rugby: Belgian champion, player in the national team. Sports administration President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) (1989-) ; Vice-President of ANOC ; President of the NOC (1989-1992) ; chef de mission at the Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck (1976) and Calgary (1988) ; chef de mission at the Games of the Olympiad in Moscow (1980), Los Angeles (1984) and Seoul (1988) ; former Chairman of the Medical Commission of the ISAF ; World Anti-Doping Agency Council Member (1999). IOC IOC member since 1991 ; member of the Executive Board (1998-) ; Chairman of the Coordination Commissions for the Games of the XXVII Olympiad in Sydney in 2000 (1995-2000) and for the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, in Athens 2004 (1998-) ; member of the following Commissions : Olympic Movement (1990-1999), Olympic Solidarity (1990-), Olympic Programme, (Working Group, 1998), Medical (1992-1993, Vice-Chairman since (1994), "IOC 2000" (Executive Committee, 1999).
16 Croatia		Croatia's pro-reform government survived a confidence vote, prompted by its decision to send two generals to the United Nations War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague. The government won by a comfortable 93-36 vote margin. The vote came after a lengthy debate in Parliament and a dramatic appeal from Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan.
16 Malaysia		Malaysia's prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, marked 20 years in office, joining an elite club of long-serving world leaders. During his 20 years in power, Mr. Mahathir has managed to dampen tensions in the country's volatile ethnic mix of Malays, Chinese and Indians, while aggressively setting Malaysia down a path of stability and economic development. Still, he has stifled dissent, both within his own party and in the streets. Mahathir Mohamad likes to say the Frank Sinatra classic "My Way" is his favorite song. The tune, with its indelible refrain, "I did it my way", is an apt anthem for the 75-year-old Malaysian leader. Mr. Mahathir has always preferred do things in his own, unorthodox, personal style, even when his actions courted controversy and criticism.
17 Turkey		The Turkish transport and communications minister, Enis Oksuz, who is seen as a key opponent of Turkey's economic recovery programme, has resigned from the government. Oksuz profil : He was born in Tarsus in the year 1946. Completed his primary education in Sarðkavak Village and secondary education in Tarsus Lycee. Enrolled in the Faculty of Economics of the Universtiy of Istanbul in 1963 from where the graduated in 1967. Completed his post graduate studies at the Management Economics institute of the same Faculty in 1968. Assigned as expert at the Foreign Capital Section State Planning Organisation, Deparment of Incentives in August 1968. Entered as assistant to the Department of Sociology and Methodology of the Faculty of Economics of the Universty of Ðstanbul in March 1970. Completed his doctoral studies on 1974. Studied professional topics at Oxford Universty for one year in 1977-78. Became associate professor in 1980. He holds the position of the Professor on Administration and Labour Sociology at the Department of Labour Economics and Industrial Relations at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Istanbul. Besides academic works; he has attended study groups, panel discussions and informative meetings in Russia, Turkish Republics, Iran, Japan and countries of central and western Europe. Worked for the preparation of the Southeast Anatolia (GAP) Master Plan as member of the Group on Population and Small Scale Industries. Assigned as Adviser to the Ministry of the Transport and Communications in August 1987, and the Prime Ministerís Office in 1988 while working at the University. Served as Adviser to the concerned State Minister on Etibank, consequently as member of the Board of Directors of the said State Bank. Served as member of the High Collective Bargaining Board. He is married and has two children. At the same time he holds the post of Deputy Head of Nationalist Movement Party.
17 Yugoslavia		President Vojislav Kostunica nominated Dragisa Pesic, finance minister in the outgoing administration, as prime minister-designate with the job of forming a new government.
18 Bosnia and Hercegovina		Parliament appointed Bosnian Foreign Minister Zlatko Lagumdzija, the leader of a pro-Western alliance, as the country's new prime minister. Zlatko Lagumdzija was born on December 26, 1955, in Sarajevo, where his father was mayor. After studying at Harvard University he received a PhD degree in computer science he returned to Bosnia in 1989 to teach at Sarajevo University. In 1990 he co-founded the SDP. In 1993 he was badly injured by a grenade. After his operation in Stockholm he returned to Sarajevo. In 1997 he became head of his party. "Yes, I would accept this position," Mr. Lagumdzija answers when asked if he can imagine himself being president some day. "But of what ?" he replies quickly.
20-22 G8		G8 SUMMIT History : On the15th and 17th of November 1975 a summit of the heads of government of France, the United States , Great Britain, Germany, Japan and Italy was held in Rambouillet, France. Under such circumstances, prompted by a need to face the oil crisis in a common way, came to view the idea of an annual meeting with the representants of the greatest idustrial powers in the world, to study the main political and economic issues and their consequences on the international community. Canada, from San Juan of Porto Rico summit in 1976 joined the Rambouillet meeting and the European Comunity from the London summit of 1977,too. The group formed by these industrial powers named the G7 remained stable and unchanged for several years despite some contacts preceeding and followig the summit, with representantsof other nations: thus in 1985 with leaders from 15 developping countries in 1991 and with the U.S.S.R. from the Naples summit of 1994, and resulting in the constitution of the P8 (8 Politicians), which included the powers of the G7 and Russia. Such meetings would lead to the conclusion of every summit. The Russian participation to the economic discussions was already asserted at the Denver summit of 1997, and turned into a full participation the following year in Birmingham. So, the G7 becomes the G8. The matters at issue in the summit also stretched out from macroeconomics (international trade, relations with developping countries) to microeconomic (employment, environment), and problems dealing with organized crime, the diffusion of drug, and the arms control, and terrorism. In order to study such matters they set a network of ministerial meetings between the involved ministries successively , the Ministry of Trade (1982), of Foreign Affairs (1984), of Finance (1986), of Environment (1992), of Labour (1994). Task forces would cope withspecific issues such as nuclear security, whitewash of narcodollars, the struggle against criminality.
19 Nepal		Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala resigns. Girija Prasad Koiralai profil : Born in 1925. Political career began at Biratnagar Jute Mills (BJM) Nepal. Arrested and imprisoned in 1960. Self-exiled to India, 1971-1979. Founding Chairman Nepal Trade Union Congress, 1990. Stood voice to reconstitute the Constitution Commission (constituted on May 11 1990) May 1990 elected Member (NC), House of Representatives (HOR) from Morang district constituency no. 1 (polled 16403) and Sunsari district constituency no. 3 (polled 27469), May 12,1991. Leader of the majority party in the House Of Representatives. Elected Prime Minister of Nepal with the portfolios of Royal Palace Affairs, Foreign, Defence, Health and Finance Ministries, May 29, 1991. Entrusted Prime Ministership for carrying out the task of holding the mid-term elections to be held on Nov 13, 1994 in a fair and impartial manner later the date was rescheduled to Nov 15, 1994), July 11, 1994. Re-elected member, HOR from the Sunsari and Morang dist const no. 5 and 1 (polled 19047 and 21013), Nov 15,1994. Resigned from the Sunsari district constituency no. 5, Jan 16, 1995. Elected unopposed Member, NC Mahasamiti from Rangeli Village Dev Committee, Morang district const no. 1, Apr 23,1996. Elected to the post of party Chairman (polled 1144) at the 9th General Convention of NC, Kath, May 9, 1996. Prime minister (3rd time) since 22 Mar 2000.

15-18	Chinese President visits Russia. Jiang Zemin returns President Vladimir Putin's visit to China in July 2000. The two leaders are reported to be planning several meetings in 2001. China's military second-in-command, Zhang Wannian, visited Moscow in February. He reports that China and Russia will sign several bilateral agreements that boost strategic cooperation to ensure global stability and security. The two leaders conferred by phone following the summit in June of Putin and United States President George W. Bush, and remain united in condemnation of Bush's plans to develop a missile defense shield.
15-18	Haitian President visits Cuba Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide arrived in Havana, expressing optimism for a resolution of his domestic political crisis, and praising Cuba for sending hundreds of doctors to its poor Caribbean neighbor.
16-18	President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan visit to Greece The visiting president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, discussed the possibility of shipping oil through Greece with President Costis Stephanopoulos. The two countries signed an economic cooperation agreement.
18-24	US President visits Europe. George W. Bush's tour begins in Britain, where he has lunch at Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth and meets Prime Minister Tony Blair. The next stop is the G-8 Summit in Genoa and bilateral meetings with the G-8 leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Jul 23 he visits Pope Paul II and Italian government figures, then pays a quick trip to Kosovo on the way home to Washington. He can expect a challenge from almost every leader on his position on gobal warming emissions and his national missile defense plan, as well as anti-American/anti-capitalist demonstrations at most ports of call.
19	China President visits Belarus Chinese President Jiang Zemin said in Minsk that China will work with the Belarussian side together to bring the full-range friendly and cooperative relations between China and Belarus to a higher level in the new century. Jiang, who is on a state visit to Belarus, made the remarks during talks with Alexander Lukashenko, president of Belarus. China has always paid great attention to developing relations with Belarus and respected the choice Belarus made on its development approach and its internal and foreign policy, Jiang said. China supports the efforts of Belarus to oppose any foreign interference and to safeguard its
20-23	Chinese President In Ukraine For a State Visit During his visit, Jiang held talks with Kuchma, and met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Anatoly Kinakh and Chairman of the Supreme Council of Ukraine Ivan Plyushch. In the political area, the two sides say they will strictly abide by all political documents signed by the two countries, and make even greater efforts to raise bilateral relations to a higher level, said the statement. Jiang's current visit to Ukraine has injected new vigor to the development of China-Ukraine relations in the new century, it pointed out. Relations between the two countries soured in 1997, after Kiev unofficially received a Taiwanese notable, but have markedly improved since. China views Taiwan, ruled by Chinese who fled the Communist takeover of the mainland in 1949, as a renegade province.