WORLD AGENDA -- DECEMBER 2003

December 2, Egypt: Representatives of 13 disparate Palestinian factions, including the militant Hamas and Islamic Jihad, meet for a week of truce talks in Cairo. Israel has indicated it would take reciprocal steps if the Palestinians stop their attacks.

December 5-8, Nigeria: The rift in the Commonwealth between white and African members looks set to deepen over the invitation to or exclusion from the Heads of Government Meeting in Abuja of ZimbabweÕs President. Robert MugabeÕs suspension from Commonwealth councils, after rigged elections in 2002, is due to expire next month.

December 6, Norway: A global trade war may be sparked if Oslo goes ahead with sanctions against the United States in retaliation for tariffs on imported steel, ruled illegal by the World Trade Organization. The European Union is also threatening sanctions, worth US$2.2 billion, as are Japan and China.

December 6, China: The nation which until recently banned beauty pageants as heretical expressions of bourgeois decadence will host the 2003 Miss World competition. The 110 contenders will gather in Sanya, a resort on the semi-tropical island of Hainan.

December 9-11, Zambia: Former president Frederick Chiluba goes on trial in Lusaka, accused of plundering the stateÕs coffers. Chiluba is alleged to have stolen US$29.5 million during his 10-year rule which ended in January 2002.

December 10, Afghanistan: Campaigners will attempt to have womenÕs rights enshrined in law when the nationÕs Loya Jirga meets in Kabul to finalise its constitution. Mahbuba Hoquqmal, state minister of womenÕs affairs, has led calls for an end to forced marriages and equality in the workplace.

December 10-12, Switzerland: The first ever global summit on the information society, expected to attract 62 heads of state to Geneva, will attempt to bridge the digital divide between rich and poor countries. Security and control of the internet and freedom of expression will be debated.

December 12, Canada: After a decade in power and 40 years in the House of Commons the 69-year-old Prime Minister retires. Jean Chretien, a Quebecker and arch opponent of his home provinceÕs separatist movement, is succeeded by his long-time rival Paul Martin.

December 13, Italy: Luciano Pavarotti weds his long-term girlfriend Nicoletta Mantovani in his hometown, Modena, in northern Italy. The ceremony will be held in the theatre where the 68-year-old tenorÕs annual charity performance ÒPavarotti and FriendsÓ is held. 

December 15, Virginia: Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, goes on display in one piece for the first time in 43 years amid a storm of protest. Survivors and activists say the Smithsonian InstitutionÕs labelling glorifies the bombing.

December 15-16, Netherlands: U.S. Democrat General Wesley Clark, who joined the race for the White House two months ago, will testify behind closed doors at the war crimes trial of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic in The Hague. An edited recording of the testimony will be released.

Parliamentary elections in Russia (Dec 7), Northern Cyprus (Dec 14) and the Pitcairn Islands (Dec 24). Presidential elections in Switzerland (Dec 10), Guinea (Dec 21) and Guatemala (second round, Dec 28).
/ENDS