¤ Southeast Asian Leaders Agree to Form Free-Trade Zone by 2015
Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders agree at summit in Philippines to establish free-trade zone by 2015; pledge to intensify their fight against terrorism, protect region's migrant workers and improve their campaign against HIV/AIDS; also break from tradition of consensus and noninterference and agree to new charter with broad enforcement powers; group fails to find common ground on how to deal with Myanmar, which has come under fire for its poor human rights record |
¤ The Muslim Stereotype
 I find the common American stereotypes of Islam profoundly warped. |
¤ Indonesian President Is Sworn In, Promising a Cleaner Government
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono promised a new era of cleaner government and renewed growth for Indonesia. |
¤ THREATS AND RESPONSES; President Seems to Gain an Asian Ally
Pres Bush and leader of Brunei, Sultan Sir Bolkiah Hassanal, meet at White House; they agree to expand intelligence-sharing as part of Washington's campaign against terrorism; photo |
¤ 10 Asian Nations Join With U.S. in Pledge to Fight Terrorism
Ten Southeast Asian nations join United States in pledging to 'prevent, disrupt and combat' global terrorism through increased sharing of information and intelligence; declaration comes at end of conference of Assn of Southeast Asian Nations; it commits region that is battling extremist groups to strengthening counterterrorism training, exchanging financial and immigration data and working to create joint programs with US; Secretary of State Colin Powell, who signs agreement with Asean, seeks t... |
¤ Brunei: From Oil Rich to Garage Sales
Oil-rich tiny nation of Brunei is in state of financial collapse, hit hard by Asian economic crisis in 1997, drop in oil prices and by Prince Jefri Bolkiah's $15 billion spending spree; saga of profligate prince is latest cautionary tale about dangers of economic windfall; Nigeria, like Brunei, has been all but ruined by corruption spawned by discovery of oil; Brunei holds six-day auction of depleted assets of prince's construction and supply company, which went bankrupt in 1998; Prince Jefri, ... |
¤ How to Say No To a Sultan; Brunei and Its Leader Try Economic Discipline
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiash of Brunei, whose lavish spending helped push country into recession, now acts as economic disciplinarian, trying to less its dependence on oil production and into global economy; Brunei has been vowing to diversify its economy since mid-1980's, but reductions in dominance of oil have been achieved largely by raising government outlays; surging oil prices have taken some urgency out of reform drive; photos |
¤ Hints of Graft by Indonesian President
Protests against Indonesia's Pres Abdurrahman Wahid erupt into violence in capital of Jakarta as investigative committee submits report to Parliament suggesting he acted improperly in two multimillion-dollar corruption scandals; findings of six-month inquiry suggest Wahid may have been involved in embezzlement of $3.7 million from government agency and that he improperly accepted $2 million from Sultan of Brunei; photo |
¤ As in Manila, So in Jakarta? Upset of Leader Is Protests' Aim
Thousands of chanting protesters denounce Indonesia's president, Abdurrahman Wahid, in what has become daily ritual in Jakarta and other major cities; Wahid is embroiled in corruption inquiry, and protests are expected to grow; special parliamentary committee is expected to announce results of its investigation into charges that Wahid's personal masseur embezzled $3.7 million from state agency, and that Wahid failed to report secret $2 million gift from sultan of Brunei; Wahid took office with ... |
¤ GOLF: ROUNDUP; Wayne Smith Leads By One in Thailand
Golf Roundup; Wayne Smith takes lead after first round of Johnnie Walker Classic in Bangkok; Pres Clinton shows up at 11:30PM to play at Royal Brunei Golf and Country, after long day of summit meetings; he and Singapore Prime Min Goh Chok Tong play nine holes until 2AM, on lighted course in lush rain forest, despite flashes of lightning |
