1 SEPTEMBER 2000

United States, Research

President Clinton decided to delay military construction related to the ABM system under development. In his announcement he said the system's technology was still too immature; he also cited diplomatic difficulties (Reuters).

Israel, West Bank

A Palestinian court sentenced Hamas member Mahmoud Abu Hanoud to 12 years in prison for illegal military activities (Reuters).

3 SEPTEMBER 2000

Lebanon, Politics

The second round of parliamentary elections was held (see 27 August).

3-5 SEPTEMBER 2000

Asia, Diplomatic Affairs

Russian President Putin met Japanese Prime Minister Mori to discuss issues including their long-standing territorial dispute (Reuters).

4 SEPTEMBER 2000

Afghanistan

The Taliban reportedly launched a major attack on rebel forces near Taloqan (Reuters).

4-10 SEPTEMBER 2000

France

There were major protests by truckers, farmers and others over fuel taxes. Numerous roadblocks were created by the protesters, slowing commercial traffic throughout the country (Reuters). There were less severe protests in Britain and other parts of Western Europe.

10 SEPTEMBER 2000

Europe

There were fuel tax protests in Germany and Belgium (Reuters). The protests in Britain were seriously disrupting traffic by this time.

Energy

OPEC raised its official production limit by 800,000 bpd to 26.2 million bpd. Including this decision, OPEC has raised production this year by 3.2 million bpd (Reuters).

14 SEPTEMBER 2000

Europe

Fuel tax protests continued in Germany, particularly in Hanover and Magdeburg. The protests in Britain ebbed. In Belgium, trucking unions accepted a $83 million compensation package from the government (Reuters).

15 SEPTEMBER 2000

Diplomatic Affairs

Indian Prime Minister Atal Vajpayee and US President Clinton, meeting in Washington, issued a statement in which India stated it would continue its policy of not conducting more nuclear weapons tests (Reuters).

Philippines

About 3000 troops with air support began an attack on Abu Sayyaf rebels on Jolo (Reuters).

France

Police arrested ETA leader Ignacio Gracia Arregui in Bidant, in the French Basque region (Reuters).

Europe

There were fuel tax protests in Spain, Germany, Ireland and elsewhere. Italy gave in to truckers' unions' demands. As of 1910 GMT, Brent blend November futures stood at $33.90 per barrel (Reuters).

16 SEPTEMBER 2000

Peru, Politics

President Alberto Fujimori announced that he would call a general election and would not seek reelection (Reuters).

17 SEPTEMBER 2000

France

Police arrested more suspected senior ETA members (Reuters).

Middle East and North Africa, Diplomatic Affairs

A new round of Israeli-Palestinian talks began (Reuters).

18 SEPTEMBER 2000

Ivory Coast

There reportedly was an assassination attempt against General Robert Guei, head of the country's military junta (Reuters).

18 SEPTEMBER-14 OCTOBER 2000

Bolivia

Peasants opposed to the government's coca eradication program began erecting roadblocks on major roads. By the end of the month, La Paz and other cities were surrounded by roadblocks and could not get deliveries of food and other essentials. On 14 October the government and peasants reached agreement that the government would provide $80 million in alternative development programs and the peasants would allow the roadblocks to be removed (Reuters).

20 SEPTEMBER 2000

Britain

An unknown attacker fired a small missile at MI6 headquarters in London, causing some superficial damage (Reuters).

22 SEPTEMBER 2000

Ivory Coast, Politics

General Guei sacked General Lassana Palenfo and General Abdoulaye Coulibaly, the second and third senior members of the ruling military junta (Reuters).

24 SEPTEMBER 2000

Yugoslavia, Politics

A Presidential election was held. The Election Commission claimed that Vajislav Kostunica won 49.0% of the vote and President Milosevic won 38.6%, and that there would be a run-off to determine the final winner (Reuters).

25 SEPTEMBER 2000

Middle East and North Africa, Diplomatic Affairs

Palestinian President Arafat met Prime Minister Barak at the latter's private residence (Reuters).

28 SEPTEMBER 2000

Europe, Economic Affairs

Denmark, in a referendum, voted against adopting the euro as its currency; 46.9% voted for, 53.1% against (Reuters).

28 SEPTEMBER-11 OCTOBER 2000

Israel

There were violent Palestinian protests in Jerusalem, Ramallah and the Gaza Strip after Likud party leader Ariel Sharon visited Temple Mount (al-Haram al-Sharif) (Reuters).

30 SEPTEMBER 2000

China

Hundreds of Falun Gong followers demonstrated in Tiananmen Square before being arrested or dispersed by police (Reuters).