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To all our subscriptors. We are sorry about this delay. Health problems and the unavailability of my assistant made it hard for me to publish ths newsletter on time. Let's just remind you this news letter , so far is free and bebefits from no sponsoring . Still, we'll carry on its publication on the Web. We shall most probably provide a monthly issue as we can no longer manage a weekly letter.

2002

LETTER N° 11

From 01 to 30 April

01
San Marino

Antonio Lazzaro Volpinari (Socialist) and Giovanni Francesco Ugolini (Christian Democrat) take office as captains-regent.

Volparini profile :Born in Domagnano Repubblica di San Marino on 02 October 1943. Residing in Domagnano - Repubblica di San Marino. A graduated Geometrer in, 1966, graduated in Political Science, Liberal profession. Married in 1972 to Claudia Berti, father of a daughter Marina. member of the P.S.S.since 1959. In 1969 he was elected member to the Great General Council of which he is still a member since his reelection respectively in the 1974, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993 , 1998, and 2001 elections. He has been appointed twice to assume the highest position of Capitano Reggente over the following period: 1° Octobre 1973 - 31 March 1974 ; 1° April 1977 - 30 September 1977.

Ugolini profile : Born and residing in Borgo Maggiore - Repubblica di San Marino on Feb. 28,1953. An graduated expert in Industrial chemistry, ha lhe served as a technician in the laboratory of analysis at the State Hospital from 1974 to 1981; since 1981 he has taken over the family trade in the field of Hostellery and since 1990 he has been President of the Tourism Union of San Marino (U.S.O.T.). Married in 1990 to Loredana Mularoni , a language teacher, he is thez father of a daughter Maddalena.A member of the P.D.C.S. since 1973. A Member of the Town Council of Castello di Borgo Maggiore from 1989-1993.In 1998 he was elected as a member of the Great General Council ands reelected at the 2001 political elections.

01
Aargau

(Switzerland)

Ernst Hasler takes office as Landammann.

Born on 21 April 1945, grown up and resident in Strengelbach , father of two sons marries. Diplomierter building master, 1975-1999 building contractor Diplomierter building master, 1975-1999 building contractor. President of the Aargaui building master federation. Vice-president of the Aargaui trade association. 1986-1999 president nursing home of the Sennhof Vordemwald.

06
Brazil

Benedita Souza da Silva Sampaio becomes governor of Rio de Janeiro.

Profile : Benedita Souza da Silva Sampaio has been variously reported as having been born in 1942 or 1943. Whatever her year of birth, history acknowledges the fundamental aspect of Benedita da Silva. She's risen from favela (shantytown) to a station of political importance and, by doing so, has become a role model for people throughout the African Diaspora. In 1981 Benedita graduated from the State University of Rio with a degree in Social Work. But she'd already, by that time, established her reputation as someone determined to create opportunity and hope for the desperately poor who live in the shadow of Brazilian opulence. She'd helped to organize a movement within her favela to secure basic necessities such as electricity, water and sewage. She was elected Brazil's first black Councilwoman in 1982, a member of the Federal Chamber of Deputies in 1986, the first black Brazilian woman Federal Senator in 1994 and more recently of course Vice Governor (Deputy Governor) of the state of Rio de Janeiro.

06
Portugal

José Manuel Durão Barroso is sworn in as prime minister. António Martins da Cruz becomes foreign minister, Paulo Portas defense minister, Manuela Ferreira Leite finance minister, and António Figueiredo Lopes interior minister.

07
Costa Rica

Presidential election - 2nd round.

Abel Pacheco leading with the 58.7% to Rolando Araya with 41.3%. The abstensionism would be as high as within 41% and 46.6%. Pacheco will be sworn in on May 8.

07
Hungary

Parliamentary elections - 1st round.

In the first round of parliamentary elections, the Socialists win 42.1% of the votes (93 seats) and the governing coalition of Fidesz Hungarian Civic Party and Hungarian Democratic Forum 41.1% (87). Turnout is 70.5%. Runoffs will be held April 21.

07
Comoros

Mohamed Said Fazul is elected president of the Comoro Islands, Moheli, with 56 percent of the vote, according to final results released by the electoral commission. Fazul, the former governor of the island, beat Mohamed Hassanaly, who garnered 44 percent of the vote in a second round of voting. Nearly 12,000 people, or 81.5 percent of the 14,500 registered voters, cast their ballots. Fazul, 42, will serve a five-year term, during which his priorities will be "justice and the security of Mohelians," according to the government weekly, Al-Watwan. Fazul was named governor of Moheli in March last year by Colonel Azali Assoumani, who in 1999 seized power on Grande Comore, the largest of the three islands that make up the Indian Ocean archipelago.

07
Ingush Republic

(Russian Federation)

Presidential election.

Alikhan Amirkhanov wins 31.5% of the vote, Gen. Murat Zyazikov 19%, Mukharebek Aushev 17.3%, and Interim President Akhmed Malsagov 14%. A runoff is scheduled for April 28.

08
São Tomé and Príncipe

Prime Minister Gabriel Costa's new government is sworn in. Alda Bandeira becomes foreign minister and Victor Tavares Monteiro defense minister; Maria Tebus remains finance minister. Zeferino dos Prazeres is named as new president of the regional government of Príncipe on April 11 and sworn in on April 12.

09
Texas

(U.S.A.)

Texas, Primary election - 2nd round.

Ron Kirk defeated teacher Victor Morales became the first black candidate to be nominated to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Kirk had 370,063 votes, or 60 percent, and Morales had 250,034 votes, or 40 percent.

Profile : First African American Mayor of Dallas and of a major Texas city; twice elected; first in 1995, reelected in 1999 with 74% of the vote. Ron, 47, graduated from Austin College with a degree in political science/sociology and received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He is married to Matrice Ellis Kirk and they have two daughters, Alex and Catherine. The Kirk's are members of St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church.

09
Yugoslavia

Parliaments of both Serbia and Montenegro ratify an agreement (signed March 14) on a future state to be called Serbia and Montenegro. Four pro-independence members of Montenegro's government, including Foreign Minister Branko Lukovac, announces their resignation for April 10. On April 19 Montenegrin Prime Minister Filip Vujanovic resigns.

11
Bermuda

Sir John Vereker is sworn in as governor.

Profile : Born on 9 August 1944, and educated at Marlborough College and Keele University. He joined the Ministry of Overseas Development in 1967. He worked in the World Bank from 1970 to 1972, then returned to the Ministry of Overseas Development. He was Private Secretary to three Ministers of Overseas Development, Reg Prentice, Frank Judd and Judith Hart.From 1980 to 1983 John Vereker was in the Policy Unit in the Prime Minister's Office in 10 Downing Street, working on public sector issues, including the domestic labour market and the early stages of privatisation policy. He was promoted in 1983 to Under Secretary for Asia in the then Overseas Development Administration. In 1986 he was appointed Under Secretary for development policy and Principal Finance Officer. In 1988 he joined the Department of Education and Science on promotion to Deputy Secretary, with responsibility for higher education and science, including the establishment of the national student loans scheme; he was Chairman of the Student Loans Company from 1989-91. From 1992-93 he was the Deputy Secretary in the Department of Education responsible for schools policy. John Vereker is a Board Member of the British Council, the Institute of Development Studies, Voluntary Service Overseas and British Executive Service Overseas. He is a Companion of the Institute of Management and holds an Honorary D.Litt. from the University of Keele. He was awarded a CB in the 1992 Honours List, and a KCB in the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours List. He married in 1971; he and his wife Judy have two children, Jennifer and Andrew.

12
Venezuela

President Hugo Chávez resigns under military pressure. In his last official act before signing the resignation, he dismissed Executive Vice-President Diosdado Cabello and all the ministers. Pedro Carmona Estanga becomes president of a transitional government.

Carmona profile : The new acting president of Venezuela was born in Barquisimeto, in the western-center of the country. A professional Economist, he graduated in 1964 from the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello and completed his post-graduate studies at the Free University in Brussels.Througout his professional career, he assumed several managing positions in such firms as the Petrochemical Company Aditivos Orinoco (1989-93), Química Venoco (1989-2000), Industrias Venoco (1990-2000) and Promotora Venoco (2001).As for the public sector, Carmona served as chairman of the Board of Advisors of the Empresarial Andino (2000-2001) and as a member of the Diectory Board of the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de la Administración de Empresas (IESA).

In a rapid turn of events, Carmona resigns on April 13 and Cabello assumes power as acting president pending the return of Chávez, which takes place April 14.

12
Yugoslavia

Minister of Health and Labour, Miodrag Kovac, hanged himself in a hotel in Madrid. According to the Yugoslavian police, Mr.Kovac's corpse, who was attending a U.N conference about aging was found out in a hotel bathroom with a letter.

Kovac, 54, who was married with three children, was in Spain as the head of his country's delegation to the U.N Second World Assembly on Aging. A cardiovascular surgeon, Kovac was a Parliament member from Montenegro, the junior Yugoslav republic. His full title was federal secretary for labor, health and social policies.

14
Mali

Presidential election.

Amadou Toumani Touré 28.0%. Soumaïla Cissé (Alliance for Democracy in Mali) 22.7%. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita (Rally for Mali) 20.7%. Others, including : Manda Sidibe, Mamadou Maribatourou Diaby (Party for Unity, Progress and Democracy), Ahmed El Madani Diallo and Choguel Kokalla Maiga (Republican Patriotic Movement ) 28.6%

14
East Timor

Presidential election.

Xanana Gusmão wins presidential elections with 82.7% of the vote against 17.3% for his only rival, Francisco Xavier do Amaral. Turnout is 86.3%. Gusmão will take office on May 20, when East Timor will become independent.

14
Comoros

Presidential election.

Mohamed Bacar is sworn in as president of Anjouan. In the presidential elections for the Union of Comoros, Col. Azali Assoumani wins more than 80% of the vote. Turnout is 52%. However, on April 22 the electoral commission cancels the results ; the two opposition candidates, Mahamoud Mradabi and Said Ali Kemal, and most voters of Anjouan, boycotted the vote.

14
Lipetsk oblast

(Russia)

In gubernatorial elections in Lipetsk oblast, incumbent Oleg Korolev is reelected with more than 73% of the vote against 5% for Igor Polosin and 13% voting against all candidates.

14
Penza oblast

(Russia)

In gubernatorial elections in Penza oblast, incumbent Vasily Bochkarev is reelected with about 45.5% against 41% for Viktor Ilyukhin.

14
Ontario

(Canada)

Ernie Eves becomes premier of Ontario.

Profile : Ernie Eves was born in Windsor in 1946 and attended the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. He was called to the Bar in 1972 and was made a Queen's Counsel in January 1983. First elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1981 in the Riding of Parry Sound, Mr. Eves held many other positions throughout his 20 year political career including Vice Chair of the Priorities, Policy and Communications Board of Cabinet and Vice Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet. He has been Government House Leader, Minister of Community and Social Services and Minister of Skills Development. He was also Provincial Secretary for Resources Development with primary responsibility for native affairs. Ernie Eves was elected Leader of the Ontario PC Party on March 23, 2002. He is seeking a seat in the Ontario Legislature in the May 2nd by-election in Dufferin-Peel-Wellington-Grey. Ernie was sworn in as Premier of Ontario on April 15, 2002. Prior to returning to elected office, Ernie Eves served as Vice Chair and Senior Advisor at Credit Suisse First Boston, Canada and Counsel at Borden Ladner Gervais.

16
The Netherlands

Prime Minister Wim Kok's government resigns.

Political experience : In 1972, was appointed deputy chairman. From 1986 to 1989 and again after the 1994 election, was a member of the Lower House of the States General and leader of the parliamentary labour party (Pvda) In 1989, he was elected deputy chairman of the Socialist International. Has been deputy chairman of the Socioeconomic Council, employees' chairman on the joint Industrial Laour Council, vice-chairman of the Board of "Denederlandsche Bank", visiting lecturer at the Institute of Social Studies and advisor to the European Commission. Deputy Priminister and Minister of Finance in the third Lubbers Government from 7 November 1989 to 22 August 1994. On 22 August 1994, he was appointed Prime Minister and Minister for Genenral Affairs in the Government that bears his name.

18
Germany

Georg Milbradt becomes minister-president of Sachsen.

Profile : Born on 23 Feb.1945, in Dortmund, where his family came over, being native Wongrowitz nearby Poznan. Confession : roman-catholic. Married since 1975 to Prof. Angelika Meeth-Milbradt, 2 sons. In 1964 he received a baccalaureate degree in Dortmund.The very same year he studied Political Economics, Law and Mathematics at the university. A degree in economics in 1968. In 1973 a "summa cum laude". From 1970 to 1980 he served as an assistant at the Institute for Financial Science of the university, and until 1983 he held a desk of Financial Science and Economical Policy at the Univeristy of Mainz.From 1983 to 1990 he served at the financial departmentof this city . Since 1985 a professor at the faculty of economic sciences. From November 1990 to Feb. 2001 a Saxon State minister of Finance. Since October 1994 a member of the saxon Landtag, directly named in thd electoral constituency 53 (Seat in West 1). Since 1973 a CDU member. In 1991 he was chosen within the National Directory Commission , in November 1999 served as deputy president of the Saxon Union ; a member of the Federal Directory Commission of the CDU since April 2000. Chairs the Saxon Union since September 2001.

21
France

Presidential election - 1st round.

Jacques Chirac (Rassemblement pour la République) 19.9% ; Jean-Marie le Pen (Front National) 16.9% ; Lionel Jospin (Parti Socialiste) 16.2% ; François Bayrou (Union pour la Démocratie Française) 6.8% ; Arlette Laguiller (Lutte Ouvrière) 5.7% ; Jean-Pierre Chevènement (Pôle Républicain) 5.3% ; Noël Mamère (Les Verts) 5.2% ; Olivier Besancenot (Ligue Communiste Révolutionnaire) 4.2% ; Jean Saint-Josse (Chasse, Pêche, Nature, Traditions) 4.2% ; Alain Madelin (Démocratie Libérale) 3.9% ; Robert Hue (Parti Communiste Français) 3.4% ; Bruno Mégret (Mouvement National Républicain) 2.3% ; Christiane Taubira (Parti Radical de Gauche) 2.3% ; Corinne Lepage (Citoyenneté Action Participation pour le 21ème siècle) 1.9% ; Christine Boutin (Forum des républicains sociaux) 1.2% and Daniel Gluckstein (Parti des Travailleurs) 0,5%.

21
Hungary

Parliamentary elections - 2nd round. Final results :

The parliamentary election runoffs give the Fidesz Hungarian Civic Party / Hungarian Democratic Forum coalition a total of 188 seats (164 and 24 respectively) in the 386-seat parliament, the Socialist Party 178, and the Free Democrats 20. Turnout is 71.2%.

21
Nieue

In parliamentary elections, all 20 members of the Legislative Assembly are reelected.

21
Chad

In parliamentary elections, President Idriss Déby's Patriotic Salvation Movement wins 112 of 155 seats, the Rally for Democracy and Progress 10, the Federation Action for the Republic 9, the National Rally for Development and Progress 6, the Union for Renewal and Democracy 4, and the National Union for Renewal and Democracy 4. Turnout is 52.8%.

21
Sachsen-Anhalt

(Germany)

In elections in Sachsen-Anhalt, the Christian Democratic Union wins 37.3% of the vote (48 of 115 seats), the Party of Democratic Socialism 20.4% (25), the Social Democratic Party 20% (25), the Free Democratic Party 13.3% (17), the Partei Rechtsstaatlicher Offensive 4.5%, and the Greens 2%.

23
Vaud

(Switzerland)

Charles-Louis Rochat becomes president of the Council of State.

Profile : Born on Nov. 20,1946, lives in Charbonnières, married, 3 children, a protestant. An ETS engineer in microtechnics, he ruled his firm for 28 years. A member of parliament since 1990, president of the Great Council in 1997,he was elected to the State Council in 1998. He ruled the department of Health and Social Action.

27
Tunisia

Interior Minister Abdallah Kaabi is sacked and replaced with Hédi M'henni.

M'henni profile : Born in 1942, in Sayada, he received in 1976, a Ph.D in medecine, from the Faculty of medecine in Tunis. In 1987, ihe was appointed Professor of social and preventive pediatrics to the same faculty. In the meantime he studied journalism at the'Institut Bach-Hamba of Tunis. Being both a mdoctor and a journalist he worked with several national daily and weekly papers and as a searcher in medical magazines. Pr.M'henni. was called to several administrative and political charges. Thus he served respectively as, : General Manging Director of the ONFP (Office National de la Famille et de la Population), Health State Secretary, Dean of the University of Tunis II and State Secretary for Scientific Research and Technology, Health Minister and currently, Minister for Social Affairs. Pr. M'henni is also an active member of RCD (member of the central committee) and co-author, aalong with Pr. Béchir HALAYEM, of the work "BEN ALI, ethics serving Politics", published by Éditions Orbis, in March 1999

28
Mali

In the first round of presidential elections, Amadou Toumani Touré wins 28% of the vote, Soumaïla Cissé 22.7%, and Ibrahim Boubacar Keita 20.7%. Turnout is 38.6%. A runoff between Touré and Cissé will be held on May 12.

28
Karelia

(Russia)

The chairman of the government of Karelia, Sergey Katanandov, is reelected with 53.5% of the vote. According to the new constitution Katanandov will take the title of head of the republic as of May 12.

28
Krasnoyarsk

(Russia)

Krasnoyarsk Governor Aleksandr Lebed dies following a helicopter crash. Nikolay Ashlapov becomes acting governor.

28
Appenzell-Innerrhoden

(Switzerland)

Bruno Koster is elected as new Regierender Landammann of Appenzell-Innerrhoden.

29
Madagascar

The High Constitutional Court says a recount of the December presidential election shows Marc Ravalomanana was the winner with 51.5% of the vote, while Didier Ratsiraka won 35.9%. Ratsiraka does not recognize this result. While Ravalomanana holds power in Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa, the other provinces remain controlled by governors loyal to Ratsiraka. On April 30 the governor of Antsiranana, Jean Robert Gara, proclaims his province a "sovereign state, independent in the confederation of Madagascar."

30
Vanuatu

Parliamentary elections.

The results of the 30 april parliamentary elections are not yet available.

30
Faeroe Islands

In parliamentary elections, the Union Party wins 26% of the vote, the Republican Party 23.7%, the Social Democrats 20.9%, the People's Party 20.8%, the Independence Party 4.4%, and the Centre Party 4.2%. Turnout is 91.1%. With 16 of 32 seats, Prime Minister Anfinn Kallsberg's coalition (Republican Party, People's Party, and Independence Party) loses its majority.

30
Pakistan

President Pervez Musharraf wins 97.7% backing in a referendum extending his rule for five years. Turnout is over 50%.

01 San Marino		Antonio Lazzaro Volpinari (Socialist) and Giovanni Francesco Ugolini (Christian Democrat) take office as captains-regent. Volparini profile :Born in Domagnano Repubblica di San Marino on 02 October 1943. Residing in Domagnano - Repubblica di San Marino. A graduated Geometrer in, 1966, graduated in Political Science, Liberal profession. Married in 1972 to Claudia Berti, father of a daughter Marina. member of the P.S.S.since 1959. In 1969 he was elected member to the Great General Council of which he is still a member since his reelection respectively in the 1974, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993 , 1998, and 2001 elections. He has been appointed twice to assume the highest position of Capitano Reggente over the following period: 1° Octobre 1973 - 31 March 1974 ; 1° April 1977 - 30 September 1977. Ugolini profile : Born and residing in Borgo Maggiore - Repubblica di San Marino on Feb. 28,1953. An graduated expert in Industrial chemistry, ha lhe served as a technician in the laboratory of analysis at the State Hospital from 1974 to 1981; since 1981 he has taken over the family trade in the field of Hostellery and since 1990 he has been President of the Tourism Union of San Marino (U.S.O.T.). Married in 1990 to Loredana Mularoni , a language teacher, he is thez father of a daughter Maddalena.A member of the P.D.C.S. since 1973. A Member of the Town Council of Castello di Borgo Maggiore from 1989-1993.In 1998 he was elected as a member of the Great General Council ands reelected at the 2001 political elections.
01 Aargau (Switzerland)		Ernst Hasler takes office as Landammann. Born on 21 April 1945, grown up and resident in Strengelbach , father of two sons marries. Diplomierter building master, 1975-1999 building contractor Diplomierter building master, 1975-1999 building contractor. President of the Aargaui building master federation. Vice-president of the Aargaui trade association. 1986-1999 president nursing home of the Sennhof Vordemwald.
06 Brazil		Benedita Souza da Silva Sampaio becomes governor of Rio de Janeiro. Profile : Benedita Souza da Silva Sampaio has been variously reported as having been born in 1942 or 1943. Whatever her year of birth, history acknowledges the fundamental aspect of Benedita da Silva. She's risen from favela (shantytown) to a station of political importance and, by doing so, has become a role model for people throughout the African Diaspora. In 1981 Benedita graduated from the State University of Rio with a degree in Social Work. But she'd already, by that time, established her reputation as someone determined to create opportunity and hope for the desperately poor who live in the shadow of Brazilian opulence. She'd helped to organize a movement within her favela to secure basic necessities such as electricity, water and sewage. She was elected Brazil's first black Councilwoman in 1982, a member of the Federal Chamber of Deputies in 1986, the first black Brazilian woman Federal Senator in 1994 and more recently of course Vice Governor (Deputy Governor) of the state of Rio de Janeiro.
06 Portugal		José Manuel Durão Barroso is sworn in as prime minister. António Martins da Cruz becomes foreign minister, Paulo Portas defense minister, Manuela Ferreira Leite finance minister, and António Figueiredo Lopes interior minister.
07 Costa Rica		Presidential election - 2nd round. Abel Pacheco leading with the 58.7% to Rolando Araya with 41.3%. The abstensionism would be as high as within 41% and 46.6%. Pacheco will be sworn in on May 8.
07 Hungary		Parliamentary elections - 1st round. In the first round of parliamentary elections, the Socialists win 42.1% of the votes (93 seats) and the governing coalition of Fidesz Hungarian Civic Party and Hungarian Democratic Forum 41.1% (87). Turnout is 70.5%. Runoffs will be held April 21.
07 Comoros		Mohamed Said Fazul is elected president of the Comoro Islands, Moheli, with 56 percent of the vote, according to final results released by the electoral commission. Fazul, the former governor of the island, beat Mohamed Hassanaly, who garnered 44 percent of the vote in a second round of voting. Nearly 12,000 people, or 81.5 percent of the 14,500 registered voters, cast their ballots. Fazul, 42, will serve a five-year term, during which his priorities will be "justice and the security of Mohelians," according to the government weekly, Al-Watwan. Fazul was named governor of Moheli in March last year by Colonel Azali Assoumani, who in 1999 seized power on Grande Comore, the largest of the three islands that make up the Indian Ocean archipelago.
07 Ingush Republic (Russian Federation)		Presidential election. Alikhan Amirkhanov wins 31.5% of the vote, Gen. Murat Zyazikov 19%, Mukharebek Aushev 17.3%, and Interim President Akhmed Malsagov 14%. A runoff is scheduled for April 28.
08 São Tomé and Príncipe		Prime Minister Gabriel Costa's new government is sworn in. Alda Bandeira becomes foreign minister and Victor Tavares Monteiro defense minister; Maria Tebus remains finance minister. Zeferino dos Prazeres is named as new president of the regional government of Príncipe on April 11 and sworn in on April 12.
09 Texas (U.S.A.)		Texas, Primary election - 2nd round. Ron Kirk defeated teacher Victor Morales became the first black candidate to be nominated to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Kirk had 370,063 votes, or 60 percent, and Morales had 250,034 votes, or 40 percent. Profile : First African American Mayor of Dallas and of a major Texas city; twice elected; first in 1995, reelected in 1999 with 74% of the vote. Ron, 47, graduated from Austin College with a degree in political science/sociology and received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He is married to Matrice Ellis Kirk and they have two daughters, Alex and Catherine. The Kirk's are members of St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church.
09 Yugoslavia		Parliaments of both Serbia and Montenegro ratify an agreement (signed March 14) on a future state to be called Serbia and Montenegro. Four pro-independence members of Montenegro's government, including Foreign Minister Branko Lukovac, announces their resignation for April 10. On April 19 Montenegrin Prime Minister Filip Vujanovic resigns.
11 Bermuda		Sir John Vereker is sworn in as governor. Profile : Born on 9 August 1944, and educated at Marlborough College and Keele University. He joined the Ministry of Overseas Development in 1967. He worked in the World Bank from 1970 to 1972, then returned to the Ministry of Overseas Development. He was Private Secretary to three Ministers of Overseas Development, Reg Prentice, Frank Judd and Judith Hart.From 1980 to 1983 John Vereker was in the Policy Unit in the Prime Minister's Office in 10 Downing Street, working on public sector issues, including the domestic labour market and the early stages of privatisation policy. He was promoted in 1983 to Under Secretary for Asia in the then Overseas Development Administration. In 1986 he was appointed Under Secretary for development policy and Principal Finance Officer. In 1988 he joined the Department of Education and Science on promotion to Deputy Secretary, with responsibility for higher education and science, including the establishment of the national student loans scheme; he was Chairman of the Student Loans Company from 1989-91. From 1992-93 he was the Deputy Secretary in the Department of Education responsible for schools policy. John Vereker is a Board Member of the British Council, the Institute of Development Studies, Voluntary Service Overseas and British Executive Service Overseas. He is a Companion of the Institute of Management and holds an Honorary D.Litt. from the University of Keele. He was awarded a CB in the 1992 Honours List, and a KCB in the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours List. He married in 1971; he and his wife Judy have two children, Jennifer and Andrew.
12 Venezuela		President Hugo Chávez resigns under military pressure. In his last official act before signing the resignation, he dismissed Executive Vice-President Diosdado Cabello and all the ministers. Pedro Carmona Estanga becomes president of a transitional government. Carmona profile : The new acting president of Venezuela was born in Barquisimeto, in the western-center of the country. A professional Economist, he graduated in 1964 from the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello and completed his post-graduate studies at the Free University in Brussels.Througout his professional career, he assumed several managing positions in such firms as the Petrochemical Company Aditivos Orinoco (1989-93), Química Venoco (1989-2000), Industrias Venoco (1990-2000) and Promotora Venoco (2001).As for the public sector, Carmona served as chairman of the Board of Advisors of the Empresarial Andino (2000-2001) and as a member of the Diectory Board of the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de la Administración de Empresas (IESA). In a rapid turn of events, Carmona resigns on April 13 and Cabello assumes power as acting president pending the return of Chávez, which takes place April 14.
12 Yugoslavia		Minister of Health and Labour, Miodrag Kovac, hanged himself in a hotel in Madrid. According to the Yugoslavian police, Mr.Kovac's corpse, who was attending a U.N conference about aging was found out in a hotel bathroom with a letter. Kovac, 54, who was married with three children, was in Spain as the head of his country's delegation to the U.N Second World Assembly on Aging. A cardiovascular surgeon, Kovac was a Parliament member from Montenegro, the junior Yugoslav republic. His full title was federal secretary for labor, health and social policies.
14 Mali		Presidential election. Amadou Toumani Touré 28.0%. Soumaïla Cissé (Alliance for Democracy in Mali) 22.7%. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita (Rally for Mali) 20.7%. Others, including : Manda Sidibe, Mamadou Maribatourou Diaby (Party for Unity, Progress and Democracy), Ahmed El Madani Diallo and Choguel Kokalla Maiga (Republican Patriotic Movement ) 28.6%
14 East Timor		Presidential election. Xanana Gusmão wins presidential elections with 82.7% of the vote against 17.3% for his only rival, Francisco Xavier do Amaral. Turnout is 86.3%. Gusmão will take office on May 20, when East Timor will become independent.
14 Comoros		Presidential election. Mohamed Bacar is sworn in as president of Anjouan. In the presidential elections for the Union of Comoros, Col. Azali Assoumani wins more than 80% of the vote. Turnout is 52%. However, on April 22 the electoral commission cancels the results ; the two opposition candidates, Mahamoud Mradabi and Said Ali Kemal, and most voters of Anjouan, boycotted the vote.
14 Lipetsk oblast (Russia)		In gubernatorial elections in Lipetsk oblast, incumbent Oleg Korolev is reelected with more than 73% of the vote against 5% for Igor Polosin and 13% voting against all candidates.
14 Penza oblast (Russia)		In gubernatorial elections in Penza oblast, incumbent Vasily Bochkarev is reelected with about 45.5% against 41% for Viktor Ilyukhin.
14 Ontario (Canada)		Ernie Eves becomes premier of Ontario. Profile : Ernie Eves was born in Windsor in 1946 and attended the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. He was called to the Bar in 1972 and was made a Queen's Counsel in January 1983. First elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1981 in the Riding of Parry Sound, Mr. Eves held many other positions throughout his 20 year political career including Vice Chair of the Priorities, Policy and Communications Board of Cabinet and Vice Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet. He has been Government House Leader, Minister of Community and Social Services and Minister of Skills Development. He was also Provincial Secretary for Resources Development with primary responsibility for native affairs. Ernie Eves was elected Leader of the Ontario PC Party on March 23, 2002. He is seeking a seat in the Ontario Legislature in the May 2nd by-election in Dufferin-Peel-Wellington-Grey. Ernie was sworn in as Premier of Ontario on April 15, 2002. Prior to returning to elected office, Ernie Eves served as Vice Chair and Senior Advisor at Credit Suisse First Boston, Canada and Counsel at Borden Ladner Gervais.
16 The Netherlands		Prime Minister Wim Kok's government resigns. Political experience : In 1972, was appointed deputy chairman. From 1986 to 1989 and again after the 1994 election, was a member of the Lower House of the States General and leader of the parliamentary labour party (Pvda) In 1989, he was elected deputy chairman of the Socialist International. Has been deputy chairman of the Socioeconomic Council, employees' chairman on the joint Industrial Laour Council, vice-chairman of the Board of "Denederlandsche Bank", visiting lecturer at the Institute of Social Studies and advisor to the European Commission. Deputy Priminister and Minister of Finance in the third Lubbers Government from 7 November 1989 to 22 August 1994. On 22 August 1994, he was appointed Prime Minister and Minister for Genenral Affairs in the Government that bears his name.
18 Germany		Georg Milbradt becomes minister-president of Sachsen. Profile : Born on 23 Feb.1945, in Dortmund, where his family came over, being native Wongrowitz nearby Poznan. Confession : roman-catholic. Married since 1975 to Prof. Angelika Meeth-Milbradt, 2 sons. In 1964 he received a baccalaureate degree in Dortmund.The very same year he studied Political Economics, Law and Mathematics at the university. A degree in economics in 1968. In 1973 a "summa cum laude". From 1970 to 1980 he served as an assistant at the Institute for Financial Science of the university, and until 1983 he held a desk of Financial Science and Economical Policy at the Univeristy of Mainz.From 1983 to 1990 he served at the financial departmentof this city . Since 1985 a professor at the faculty of economic sciences. From November 1990 to Feb. 2001 a Saxon State minister of Finance. Since October 1994 a member of the saxon Landtag, directly named in thd electoral constituency 53 (Seat in West 1). Since 1973 a CDU member. In 1991 he was chosen within the National Directory Commission , in November 1999 served as deputy president of the Saxon Union ; a member of the Federal Directory Commission of the CDU since April 2000. Chairs the Saxon Union since September 2001.
21 France		Presidential election - 1st round. Jacques Chirac (Rassemblement pour la République) 19.9% ; Jean-Marie le Pen (Front National) 16.9% ; Lionel Jospin (Parti Socialiste) 16.2% ; François Bayrou (Union pour la Démocratie Française) 6.8% ; Arlette Laguiller (Lutte Ouvrière) 5.7% ; Jean-Pierre Chevènement (Pôle Républicain) 5.3% ; Noël Mamère (Les Verts) 5.2% ; Olivier Besancenot (Ligue Communiste Révolutionnaire) 4.2% ; Jean Saint-Josse (Chasse, Pêche, Nature, Traditions) 4.2% ; Alain Madelin (Démocratie Libérale) 3.9% ; Robert Hue (Parti Communiste Français) 3.4% ; Bruno Mégret (Mouvement National Républicain) 2.3% ; Christiane Taubira (Parti Radical de Gauche) 2.3% ; Corinne Lepage (Citoyenneté Action Participation pour le 21ème siècle) 1.9% ; Christine Boutin (Forum des républicains sociaux) 1.2% and Daniel Gluckstein (Parti des Travailleurs) 0,5%.
21 Hungary		Parliamentary elections - 2nd round. Final results : The parliamentary election runoffs give the Fidesz Hungarian Civic Party / Hungarian Democratic Forum coalition a total of 188 seats (164 and 24 respectively) in the 386-seat parliament, the Socialist Party 178, and the Free Democrats 20. Turnout is 71.2%.
21 Nieue		In parliamentary elections, all 20 members of the Legislative Assembly are reelected.
21 Chad		In parliamentary elections, President Idriss Déby's Patriotic Salvation Movement wins 112 of 155 seats, the Rally for Democracy and Progress 10, the Federation Action for the Republic 9, the National Rally for Development and Progress 6, the Union for Renewal and Democracy 4, and the National Union for Renewal and Democracy 4. Turnout is 52.8%.
21 Sachsen-Anhalt (Germany)		In elections in Sachsen-Anhalt, the Christian Democratic Union wins 37.3% of the vote (48 of 115 seats), the Party of Democratic Socialism 20.4% (25), the Social Democratic Party 20% (25), the Free Democratic Party 13.3% (17), the Partei Rechtsstaatlicher Offensive 4.5%, and the Greens 2%.
23 Vaud (Switzerland)		Charles-Louis Rochat becomes president of the Council of State. Profile : Born on Nov. 20,1946, lives in Charbonnières, married, 3 children, a protestant. An ETS engineer in microtechnics, he ruled his firm for 28 years. A member of parliament since 1990, president of the Great Council in 1997,he was elected to the State Council in 1998. He ruled the department of Health and Social Action.
27 Tunisia		Interior Minister Abdallah Kaabi is sacked and replaced with Hédi M'henni. M'henni profile : Born in 1942, in Sayada, he received in 1976, a Ph.D in medecine, from the Faculty of medecine in Tunis. In 1987, ihe was appointed Professor of social and preventive pediatrics to the same faculty. In the meantime he studied journalism at the'Institut Bach-Hamba of Tunis. Being both a mdoctor and a journalist he worked with several national daily and weekly papers and as a searcher in medical magazines. Pr.M'henni. was called to several administrative and political charges. Thus he served respectively as, : General Manging Director of the ONFP (Office National de la Famille et de la Population), Health State Secretary, Dean of the University of Tunis II and State Secretary for Scientific Research and Technology, Health Minister and currently, Minister for Social Affairs. Pr. M'henni is also an active member of RCD (member of the central committee) and co-author, aalong with Pr. Béchir HALAYEM, of the work "BEN ALI, ethics serving Politics", published by Éditions Orbis, in March 1999
28 Mali		In the first round of presidential elections, Amadou Toumani Touré wins 28% of the vote, Soumaïla Cissé 22.7%, and Ibrahim Boubacar Keita 20.7%. Turnout is 38.6%. A runoff between Touré and Cissé will be held on May 12.
28 Karelia (Russia)		The chairman of the government of Karelia, Sergey Katanandov, is reelected with 53.5% of the vote. According to the new constitution Katanandov will take the title of head of the republic as of May 12.
28 Krasnoyarsk (Russia)		Krasnoyarsk Governor Aleksandr Lebed dies following a helicopter crash. Nikolay Ashlapov becomes acting governor.
28 Appenzell-Innerrhoden (Switzerland)		Bruno Koster is elected as new Regierender Landammann of Appenzell-Innerrhoden.
29 Madagascar		The High Constitutional Court says a recount of the December presidential election shows Marc Ravalomanana was the winner with 51.5% of the vote, while Didier Ratsiraka won 35.9%. Ratsiraka does not recognize this result. While Ravalomanana holds power in Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa, the other provinces remain controlled by governors loyal to Ratsiraka. On April 30 the governor of Antsiranana, Jean Robert Gara, proclaims his province a "sovereign state, independent in the confederation of Madagascar."
30 Vanuatu		Parliamentary elections. The results of the 30 april parliamentary elections are not yet available.
30 Faeroe Islands		In parliamentary elections, the Union Party wins 26% of the vote, the Republican Party 23.7%, the Social Democrats 20.9%, the People's Party 20.8%, the Independence Party 4.4%, and the Centre Party 4.2%. Turnout is 91.1%. With 16 of 32 seats, Prime Minister Anfinn Kallsberg's coalition (Republican Party, People's Party, and Independence Party) loses its majority.
30 Pakistan		President Pervez Musharraf wins 97.7% backing in a referendum extending his rule for five years. Turnout is over 50%.