IV345 - November 2002

The general election that was held in Sweden on September 15, 2002 had two main characteristics. First, contrary to the European trend, the incumbent Social Democrats not only did not suffer losses in support, but made substantial gains. Secondly, the question of immigrants as a threat to society was put on the table, thanks to the profound turn to the right made by the Liberal Party.

International Viewpoint spoke to Michel Rousseau, a member of the secretariat of the European Marches Against Unemployment, Job Insecurity and Social Exclusions about the European Social Forum in Florence.

Contrary to expectations, Luis Ignacio da Silva [’Lula’, the candidate of the Workers’ Party (PT)] was not elected in the first round of the Brazilian presidential elections on October 6, 2002. The polls, with few exceptions, indicated that he was likely to receive the 50% + 1 of valid votes necessary for a first round victory.

The PT’s results in the various elections that took place at the level of the states that make up the Brazilian federation varied considerably although there was a certain upwards tendency in the vote.

When will the US-led war on Iraq begin? Instead of "if", ’observers’ now ask "when". But hasn’t this war already begun? During August 2002 alone, US and British bombers carried out ’10 sorties’ over Iraqi territory to bomb ’command centres’.

The reaction in the Indian media to US preparations for launching a war on Iraq has been one of surprise. Why is the US diverting its attention from the war against global terrorism in this way and risking, through such unilateralist behaviour, its goodwill?

The Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP), India, categorically opposes the US plans to attack Iraq. This would violate international law and all norms of civilized behaviour besides causing further suffering to the Iraqi people.

Under the Koizumi Administration Japan is advancing headlong on a course toward militarisation. In this context, militarisation first means the preparation by the government of the social machinery allowing it to obtain the power to apply and activate military powers without restraint.

IV was going to press as news came in of the terrorist bombing in Bali which led to the deaths of almost 200 people. While the Indonesian government has been accused of laxity in its treatment of Islamic militants, it has been ferocious in its repression of genuine movements for self-determination like those in the province of Aceh.

Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific condemns outright the barbaric bombing that took place in Bali on October 13 and that took the lives of at least 200 people from Bali, Indonesia, Australia and around the world. This was an act of mass murder carried out against defenceless people. ASAP extends its sympathy and solidarity to the families of all those killed and injured.