vips

LETTER N° 44

From 28 October to 03 November

28
Japan

(Kobe)

Mayoral election. Results :

In Kobe, Tatsuo Yada, 61, the former Kobe deputy mayor, garnered 209,681 votes and defeated four other candidates to succeed outgoing Kobe Mayor Kazutoshi Sasayama. In Nagano, Shoichi Washizawa, 60-year-old former deputy leader of the Nagano Chamber of Commerce & Industry, gained 73,769 votes to beat four others. He will take over as mayor from Tasuku Tsukada, who is stepping down after 16 years in office.

28
Japan

House of Representatives byelection for Miyagi No. 4 and and Shiga No. 2 constituencies. Results :

The Liberal Democratic Party leadership apparently feels reassured by the victories of two LDP candidates in House of Representatives by-elections held in Miyagi and Shiga prefectures.

28
Russia

(Orel)

Orel Oblast, Gubernatorial election. Results :

Stroyev, 64, is one of the longest serving governors in post-Soviet Russia. A native of the region about 400 kilometers southwest of Moscow, he was a career Communist in the Soviet Union, and by the time the empire collapsed in 1991, he was a member of the Party's ruling Politburo. Stroyev was first elected the governor of the Oryol region, in Russia's traditionally communist Red Belt, in 1993 and re-elected in 1997 in a landslide victory with more than 90 percent of the votes.

28
Somalia

Somalia's fledgling government lost a no-confidence vote, ending the tenure of the country's prime minister and his Cabinet after just 13 months. Out of 174 legislators attending parliament, 141 voted against Prime Minister Ali Khalif Galaydh and his 84-member government, while 29 voted in favor, according to parliamentary speaker Abdalleh Derow Issak. Four abstained.

The government will remain in place until President Abdiqasim Salad Hassan nominates a new prime minister, Deputy Prime Minister Osman Jama Ali becomes acting prime minister. who will then have 30 days to appoint a new Cabinet.

28
Canada

(Saskatchewan)

The Saskatchewan Liberal Party has a new leader. David Karwacki, a 36 year old businessperson who has never run for elected office before, defeated North Battleford MLA Jack Hillson by a vote of 430 to 228 at the party's convention yesterday (Oct. 27). Karwacki and Hillson had both pledged to get the Liberal Party out of its coalition with the governing

New Democratic Party. However, the two MLAs still in the coalition government, former leader Jim Melenchuk and MLA Ron Osika, have indicated that they may want to remain in the government.

29-30
WTO

Russia hosts economic forum - Moscow

President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov host a gathering of business leaders and financial experts who have Russia's membership in the World Trade Organization in their sights. Sponsored by the Switzerland-based World Economic Forum, the conference addresses the economic issues that impede foreign investment and WTO membership. The country's trade barriers and financial restrictions are seen as the main onstacles. Russia's bid to join the 142-member WTO is expected to succeed in 2002 or 2003.The conference also brings together Russian and foreign business delegates to talk about pre- and post-WTO trade opportunities.

29-31
WTO

China hosts East-Asia Economic Summit - Hong-Kong

In these times of great uncertainty, we would like to assure you that the World Economic Forum, as the foremost global community of business, political, intellectual and other leaders of civil society, will continue with its activities. The Forum is, more than ever, committed to addressing at the East Asia Economic Summit 2001 the multiple regional and global challenges confronting our societies, whether they be related to political, social, economic or security issues.

30
Aruba

Nelson O. Oduber is sworn in as prime minister.

31
ASEAN

Sommet de chefs d'Etat et de gouvernement de l'ASEAN à Bruneï, suivi par un sommet élargi à la Chine, à la Corée du Sud et au Japon.

The topic of fighting terrorism is expected to dominate a summit of leaders from almost half of Asia, including China and Southeast Asian countries that are home to 220,000 Muslims.

Leaders of 10 Southeast Asian nations are likely to speed plans to create a regional free trade zone in the face of plunging exports to the U.S.

31
Australia

Marjorie Jackson-Nelson takes office as governor of South Australia.

Profile : Marjorie Jackson-Nelson was born at Coffs Harbour, NSW on September 13, 1931 and moved to Lithgow with her family when she was still a child. At 15 she won the 100 yards at the NSW Combined Girls' High Schools' carnival and broke an 18 year old record in the 75 yards. Just after turning 16, Marjorie was invited to compete in the State trials with the possibility of selection for the 1948 London Olympics. Everyone then forgot about the Lithgow girl until Fanny Blankers-Koen arrived in Australia after her London Olympic triumphs. Marjorie Jackson-Nelson went on to win two Olympic and seven Commonwealth Games gold medals during her athletics career. Between 1950 and 1954 Marjorie won every State and Australian title for the 100 yards, 100 metres, 220 yards and 200 metres. At the 1950 Commonwealth Games held in Auckland, New Zealand, she won four gold medals. In the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland, Marjorie won two gold medals. Her win in the 100 metres equalled the world record and in the 200 metres she set a new world-record. In doing so, Marjorie Jackson-Nelson became the first Australian woman to win an Olympic gold medal for track and field and the first Australian (male or female) to win an Olympic gold medal on the running track since 1896. At the 1954 Commonwealth Games in Vancouver Canada, Marjorie won a further three gold medals. So Mr Chancellor, I present to you Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, an outstanding Australian athlete, tireless worker for the Commonwealth and Olympic Games Movements and an extraordinary fundraiser for leukaemia research, for the admission to the award of Doctor of the University (honoris causa).

31
Papua New Guinea

In a cabinet reshuffle, John Waiko becomes foreign minister.

John Waiko is the first Papua New Guinean to reach the status of professor. After receiving his doctorate from the Australian National University he traveled back to his home village of Tabara to celebrate the achievement with his own people of the Binandere clan. Although John has a history of long schooling in village culture and has been educated in Port Moresby, London and Canberra, he had little knowledge of ritual and no customary wealth in the form of pigs and a long list of favors given and alliances established.

31
Germany

Ole von Beust is sworn in as first mayor of Hamburg.

Ole von Beust was born on 13 April 1955 in Hamburg. He passed his Abitur in 1973 in the forest village High School. Subsequently, he worked as an assistant at the CDU Buergerschaftsfraktion. From 1975 to 1980 he studied in Hamburg, jurisprudence and ccompleted the study in 1980 with the first legal state examinationend in 1983 followed by the second. Since that time he was an independent attorney. 1971 Ole von Beust joined the CDU. From 1977 to 1983 he stood as a regional chairman at the office of the CDU Jugendorganisation. 1993 the CDU Buergerschaftsfraktion decided for a guidance change and selected Ole von Beust as a chairman. 1997 he led the CDU into the citizenry election campaign (result : plus 5,6 per cent). In September 1997 he was confirmed in the office of chairman of the CDU parliamentary group.

01
Burundi

Burundi installs transitional government.

The transitional government is the result of a deal brokered by former South African President Nelson Mandela. He has asked for United Nations troops to protect the rebel leaders coming home to take their place in the new government under the terms of the peace agreement, but it's not clear if he will get his wish. If it holds, the peace agreement will end an eight-year civil war that has claimed the lives of some 200,000 people.

Hopes rose when Mandela persuaded the government and opposition parties to sign, but many issues remain unresolved. Hutus and Tutsis make up the new army on a 50-50 basis, according to the Mandela formula. It is not given much chance of working. Tutsis have held the political, military and economic reins in Burundi since independence in 1962. It is feared if they yield power they will face a genocide by extremist Hutus like the one in Rwanda in 1994

See composition transitional government

01
Georgia

Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze fired his entire Cabinet, the parliamentary speaker said as a security scandal erupted into a full-fledged political crisis.

Shevardnadze dismissed his entire cabinet and accepted the chief prosecutor's resignation following a controversial raid by state security agents against an independent television station this week. The dramatic decision came just hours after the head of Parliament, a longtime ally of the president and No. 2 in the line of succession, announced his surprise resignation to prod Shevardnadze into taking action.

01
Pakistan

Javed Hashmi, acting president of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML), has been arrested during a police raid on the house where he was staying in the capital, Islamabad. The arrest came after the PML said it would join Islamic groups in protesting against Pakistan's pro-US stance.

01
Australia

ACT (Australian Capital Territoire) Liberal leader re-elected. Chief Minister Gary Humphries has been re-elected unopposed as Liberal leader in the territory's Legislative Assembly.

Profile : The Chief Minister, Gary John Joseph Humphries has played an important role in improving community safety in Canberra. He is a graduate from the ANU. In 1982, Gary was President of the ANU Students' Association. Before entering the Assembly in 1989 he had practised as a Solicitor and was also Legal Adviser to the ACT Administration. Elected 8 May 1989. Re-elected 20 March 1992, 2 March 1995 and 17 March 1998.

01
Dominican

Republic

Juan Bosch, a former president whose influence in Dominican politics stretched across half a century despite his only seven months in office, died.

Profile : Juan Emilio Bosch Gaviño was born in La Vega, República Dominicana, on June 30,1909. Following the accession of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, he went into exile. He lived in exile in Puerto Rico and Cuba. During the 50s he toured various countries in America and Europe, searching support for the establishment of democracy in the República Dominicana. He settled in Chile, where he made freinds with intelectuals, artists and polítics: Salvador Allende, Pablo Neruda, and others. He was President of the Dominican Repúblic in 1962, starting a reform program aborted in 1963 by a military coup. He travelled and settled for a while in Europe then returned home in 1970.He ran as a candidate in various elections, afterwards. Bosch was a story-teller, a novelist, an educator, essayist, historian, biograph. His teeming work, written both at home and in exile, reflects the sociocultural reality of the dominican country ; its tragedies, its conflicts, its suffering and struggle.

01
Faeroe Islands

Birgit Kleis takes office as high commissioner.

02
UN

East Timor

The UN Security Council has formally approved a recommendation by East Timor's first elected assembly to declare independence on May 20, 2002.

The UN has been administering the territory since its people voted overwhelmingly for independence in August 1999. The Security Council said yesterday it would maintain a reduced military and civilian presence in East Timor after independence. But the council gave no figures on the size of the post-independence mission and stressed that members wanted to wrap up operations as soon as feasible, hopefully by May 2004. With just 200 days to independence, UN administrator Sergio Vieira de Mello said many issues still had to be resolved between East Timor and neighbouring West Timor, which is ruled by Indonesia. He said they included co-operation in bringing to justice those responsible for crimes in East Timor.

03
Northern Marianas

(US)

Election to Governor. Results :

The gubernatorial tandem Juan N. Babauta and Diego T. Benavente led the Republican Party to a landslide victory in general election. The BB tandem grabbed 42.8 percent of the total votes cast, followed by Covenant Party's Benigno R. Fitial and Rita H. Inos with 2,963 votes or 24.4 percent of the overall votes.

03
Singapore

General election. Results :

In parliamentary elections, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong's People's Action Party (PAP) wins 82 of the 84 seats contested (75.3% of the vote) ; the Singapore Democratic Alliance and the Workers' Party win one seat each.

LAST ELECTIONS RESULTS

Latvia
The 33rd Congress of the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party's (LSDSP) on 27 October in Riga re-elected Juris Bojars as its chairman.

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THIS WEEK'S STORY

October 28, 1886

Statue of Liberty Dedicated

The Statue of Liberty, a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States, is dedicated in New York Harbor by President Grover Cleveland.

Originally known as "Liberty Enlightening the World," the statue was proposed by the French historian Edouard de Laboulaye to commemorate the Franco-American alliance during the American Revolution. Designed by French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, the 151-foot statue was the form of a woman with an uplifted arm holding a torch. Its framework of gigantic steel supports was designed by Eugène-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc and Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, the latter famous for his design of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

In February 1877, Congress approved the use of a site on New York Bedloe's Island, which was suggested by Bartholdi. In May 1884, the statue was completed in France, and three months later the Americans laid the cornerstone for its pedestal in New York Harbor. In June 1885, the dismantled Statue of Liberty arrived in the New World, enclosed in more than 200 packing cases. Its copper sheets were reassembled, and the last rivet of the monument was fitted on October 28, 1886, during a dedication presided over by President Cleveland and attended by numerous French and American dignitaries.

On the pedestal was inscribed "The New Colossus," a sonnet by American poet Emma Lazarus that welcomed immigrants to the United States with the declaration, "Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, / The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. / Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me. / I lift my lamp beside the golden door." In 1892, Ellis Island, adjacent to Bedloe's Island, opened as the chief entry station for immigrants to the United States, and for the next 32 years more than 12 million immigrants were welcomed into New York harbor by the sight of "Lady Liberty." In 1924, the Statue of Liberty was made a national monument, and in 1956 Bedloe's Island was renamed Liberty Island. The statue underwent a major restoration in the 1980s.

ALSO SEE

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

28 Japan (Kobe)		Mayoral election. Results : In Kobe, Tatsuo Yada, 61, the former Kobe deputy mayor, garnered 209,681 votes and defeated four other candidates to succeed outgoing Kobe Mayor Kazutoshi Sasayama. In Nagano, Shoichi Washizawa, 60-year-old former deputy leader of the Nagano Chamber of Commerce & Industry, gained 73,769 votes to beat four others. He will take over as mayor from Tasuku Tsukada, who is stepping down after 16 years in office.
28 Japan		House of Representatives byelection for Miyagi No. 4 and and Shiga No. 2 constituencies. Results : The Liberal Democratic Party leadership apparently feels reassured by the victories of two LDP candidates in House of Representatives by-elections held in Miyagi and Shiga prefectures.
28 Russia (Orel)		Orel Oblast, Gubernatorial election. Results : Stroyev, 64, is one of the longest serving governors in post-Soviet Russia. A native of the region about 400 kilometers southwest of Moscow, he was a career Communist in the Soviet Union, and by the time the empire collapsed in 1991, he was a member of the Party's ruling Politburo. Stroyev was first elected the governor of the Oryol region, in Russia's traditionally communist Red Belt, in 1993 and re-elected in 1997 in a landslide victory with more than 90 percent of the votes.
28 Somalia		Somalia's fledgling government lost a no-confidence vote, ending the tenure of the country's prime minister and his Cabinet after just 13 months. Out of 174 legislators attending parliament, 141 voted against Prime Minister Ali Khalif Galaydh and his 84-member government, while 29 voted in favor, according to parliamentary speaker Abdalleh Derow Issak. Four abstained. The government will remain in place until President Abdiqasim Salad Hassan nominates a new prime minister, Deputy Prime Minister Osman Jama Ali becomes acting prime minister. who will then have 30 days to appoint a new Cabinet.
28 Canada (Saskatchewan)		The Saskatchewan Liberal Party has a new leader. David Karwacki, a 36 year old businessperson who has never run for elected office before, defeated North Battleford MLA Jack Hillson by a vote of 430 to 228 at the party's convention yesterday (Oct. 27). Karwacki and Hillson had both pledged to get the Liberal Party out of its coalition with the governing New Democratic Party. However, the two MLAs still in the coalition government, former leader Jim Melenchuk and MLA Ron Osika, have indicated that they may want to remain in the government.
29-30 WTO		Russia hosts economic forum - Moscow President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov host a gathering of business leaders and financial experts who have Russia's membership in the World Trade Organization in their sights. Sponsored by the Switzerland-based World Economic Forum, the conference addresses the economic issues that impede foreign investment and WTO membership. The country's trade barriers and financial restrictions are seen as the main onstacles. Russia's bid to join the 142-member WTO is expected to succeed in 2002 or 2003.The conference also brings together Russian and foreign business delegates to talk about pre- and post-WTO trade opportunities.
29-31 WTO		China hosts East-Asia Economic Summit - Hong-Kong In these times of great uncertainty, we would like to assure you that the World Economic Forum, as the foremost global community of business, political, intellectual and other leaders of civil society, will continue with its activities. The Forum is, more than ever, committed to addressing at the East Asia Economic Summit 2001 the multiple regional and global challenges confronting our societies, whether they be related to political, social, economic or security issues.
30 Aruba		Nelson O. Oduber is sworn in as prime minister.
31 ASEAN		Sommet de chefs d'Etat et de gouvernement de l'ASEAN à Bruneï, suivi par un sommet élargi à la Chine, à la Corée du Sud et au Japon. The topic of fighting terrorism is expected to dominate a summit of leaders from almost half of Asia, including China and Southeast Asian countries that are home to 220,000 Muslims. Leaders of 10 Southeast Asian nations are likely to speed plans to create a regional free trade zone in the face of plunging exports to the U.S.
31 Australia		Marjorie Jackson-Nelson takes office as governor of South Australia. Profile : Marjorie Jackson-Nelson was born at Coffs Harbour, NSW on September 13, 1931 and moved to Lithgow with her family when she was still a child. At 15 she won the 100 yards at the NSW Combined Girls' High Schools' carnival and broke an 18 year old record in the 75 yards. Just after turning 16, Marjorie was invited to compete in the State trials with the possibility of selection for the 1948 London Olympics. Everyone then forgot about the Lithgow girl until Fanny Blankers-Koen arrived in Australia after her London Olympic triumphs. Marjorie Jackson-Nelson went on to win two Olympic and seven Commonwealth Games gold medals during her athletics career. Between 1950 and 1954 Marjorie won every State and Australian title for the 100 yards, 100 metres, 220 yards and 200 metres. At the 1950 Commonwealth Games held in Auckland, New Zealand, she won four gold medals. In the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland, Marjorie won two gold medals. Her win in the 100 metres equalled the world record and in the 200 metres she set a new world-record. In doing so, Marjorie Jackson-Nelson became the first Australian woman to win an Olympic gold medal for track and field and the first Australian (male or female) to win an Olympic gold medal on the running track since 1896. At the 1954 Commonwealth Games in Vancouver Canada, Marjorie won a further three gold medals. So Mr Chancellor, I present to you Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, an outstanding Australian athlete, tireless worker for the Commonwealth and Olympic Games Movements and an extraordinary fundraiser for leukaemia research, for the admission to the award of Doctor of the University (honoris causa).
31 Papua New Guinea		In a cabinet reshuffle, John Waiko becomes foreign minister. John Waiko is the first Papua New Guinean to reach the status of professor. After receiving his doctorate from the Australian National University he traveled back to his home village of Tabara to celebrate the achievement with his own people of the Binandere clan. Although John has a history of long schooling in village culture and has been educated in Port Moresby, London and Canberra, he had little knowledge of ritual and no customary wealth in the form of pigs and a long list of favors given and alliances established.
31 Germany		Ole von Beust is sworn in as first mayor of Hamburg. Ole von Beust was born on 13 April 1955 in Hamburg. He passed his Abitur in 1973 in the forest village High School. Subsequently, he worked as an assistant at the CDU Buergerschaftsfraktion. From 1975 to 1980 he studied in Hamburg, jurisprudence and ccompleted the study in 1980 with the first legal state examinationend in 1983 followed by the second. Since that time he was an independent attorney. 1971 Ole von Beust joined the CDU. From 1977 to 1983 he stood as a regional chairman at the office of the CDU Jugendorganisation. 1993 the CDU Buergerschaftsfraktion decided for a guidance change and selected Ole von Beust as a chairman. 1997 he led the CDU into the citizenry election campaign (result : plus 5,6 per cent). In September 1997 he was confirmed in the office of chairman of the CDU parliamentary group.
01 Burundi		Burundi installs transitional government. The transitional government is the result of a deal brokered by former South African President Nelson Mandela. He has asked for United Nations troops to protect the rebel leaders coming home to take their place in the new government under the terms of the peace agreement, but it's not clear if he will get his wish. If it holds, the peace agreement will end an eight-year civil war that has claimed the lives of some 200,000 people. Hopes rose when Mandela persuaded the government and opposition parties to sign, but many issues remain unresolved. Hutus and Tutsis make up the new army on a 50-50 basis, according to the Mandela formula. It is not given much chance of working. Tutsis have held the political, military and economic reins in Burundi since independence in 1962. It is feared if they yield power they will face a genocide by extremist Hutus like the one in Rwanda in 1994 See composition transitional government
01 Georgia		Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze fired his entire Cabinet, the parliamentary speaker said as a security scandal erupted into a full-fledged political crisis. Shevardnadze dismissed his entire cabinet and accepted the chief prosecutor's resignation following a controversial raid by state security agents against an independent television station this week. The dramatic decision came just hours after the head of Parliament, a longtime ally of the president and No. 2 in the line of succession, announced his surprise resignation to prod Shevardnadze into taking action.
01 Pakistan		Javed Hashmi, acting president of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML), has been arrested during a police raid on the house where he was staying in the capital, Islamabad. The arrest came after the PML said it would join Islamic groups in protesting against Pakistan's pro-US stance.
01 Australia		ACT (Australian Capital Territoire) Liberal leader re-elected. Chief Minister Gary Humphries has been re-elected unopposed as Liberal leader in the territory's Legislative Assembly. Profile : The Chief Minister, Gary John Joseph Humphries has played an important role in improving community safety in Canberra. He is a graduate from the ANU. In 1982, Gary was President of the ANU Students' Association. Before entering the Assembly in 1989 he had practised as a Solicitor and was also Legal Adviser to the ACT Administration. Elected 8 May 1989. Re-elected 20 March 1992, 2 March 1995 and 17 March 1998.
01 Dominican Republic		Juan Bosch, a former president whose influence in Dominican politics stretched across half a century despite his only seven months in office, died. Profile : Juan Emilio Bosch Gaviño was born in La Vega, República Dominicana, on June 30,1909. Following the accession of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, he went into exile. He lived in exile in Puerto Rico and Cuba. During the 50s he toured various countries in America and Europe, searching support for the establishment of democracy in the República Dominicana. He settled in Chile, where he made freinds with intelectuals, artists and polítics: Salvador Allende, Pablo Neruda, and others. He was President of the Dominican Repúblic in 1962, starting a reform program aborted in 1963 by a military coup. He travelled and settled for a while in Europe then returned home in 1970.He ran as a candidate in various elections, afterwards. Bosch was a story-teller, a novelist, an educator, essayist, historian, biograph. His teeming work, written both at home and in exile, reflects the sociocultural reality of the dominican country ; its tragedies, its conflicts, its suffering and struggle.
01 Faeroe Islands		Birgit Kleis takes office as high commissioner.
02 UN East Timor		The UN Security Council has formally approved a recommendation by East Timor's first elected assembly to declare independence on May 20, 2002. The UN has been administering the territory since its people voted overwhelmingly for independence in August 1999. The Security Council said yesterday it would maintain a reduced military and civilian presence in East Timor after independence. But the council gave no figures on the size of the post-independence mission and stressed that members wanted to wrap up operations as soon as feasible, hopefully by May 2004. With just 200 days to independence, UN administrator Sergio Vieira de Mello said many issues still had to be resolved between East Timor and neighbouring West Timor, which is ruled by Indonesia. He said they included co-operation in bringing to justice those responsible for crimes in East Timor.
03 Northern Marianas (US)		Election to Governor. Results : The gubernatorial tandem Juan N. Babauta and Diego T. Benavente led the Republican Party to a landslide victory in general election. The BB tandem grabbed 42.8 percent of the total votes cast, followed by Covenant Party's Benigno R. Fitial and Rita H. Inos with 2,963 votes or 24.4 percent of the overall votes.
03 Singapore		General election. Results : In parliamentary elections, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong's People's Action Party (PAP) wins 82 of the 84 seats contested (75.3% of the vote) ; the Singapore Democratic Alliance and the Workers' Party win one seat each.