World Agenda May 2002 Compiled by Elisabeth Ribbans May 5: Extreme right-winger Jean-Marie Le Pen squares off for the French presidency against the incumbent, Jacques Chirac, following the National Front leaderÕs shock success in AprilÕs first-round poll. May 6: Accounting firm Arthur Andersen is due to go on trial in Houston, Texas, on charges of obstructing justice in relation to the downfall of U.S. energy giant Enron. May 9: Political equality comes to the Persian GulfÕs conservative Arab region as women stand for the first time in municipal elections in Bahrain. It will be the kingdomÕs first poll in almost three decades. May 14: Nato foreign ministers will hold talks with Russian officials in IcelandÕs capital Reykjavik on a deal aimed at giving Moscow a greater say in the decisions of the 19-nation military alliance. May 15: Cannes celebrates its 55th glittering film festival, with U.S. movie director David Lynch presiding over the jury that will confer this yearÕs coveted Palme dÕOr. Roman PolanskiÕs The Pianist is among the favourites. May 20: East Timor, which suffered 24 years of brutal Indonesian rule, becomes the worldÕs newest independent country as former resistance leader Xanana Gusmao is sworn in as president following a huge win in last monthÕs polls. May 23: Nuclear arms cuts are on the agenda when George W. Bush arrives in Moscow for summit talks with President Vladimir Putin. Negotiators are working against the clock in the hope of striking an agreement that can be signed at the meeting. May 24: Princess MŠrtha Louise of Norway is to marry the controversial Danish-born author, Ari Behn, in a colourful ceremony at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. The couple stunned traditionalists by issuing pink and turquoise invitations. May 31: The 2002 FIFA World Cup Finals kick off in Seoul with an opening contest between defending champions France and first-time finalists Senegal. South Korea and Japan are co-hosting soccerÕs biggest showcase. Also: Parliamentary elections in the Netherlands (May 15), Ireland (May 17) and Vietnam (May 19), and presidential elections in Colombia (May 26).