Nepal

During the first two weeks of the month, the armed forces claimed to have killed several hundred Maoist rebels in major operations in the west (Reuters).

1 MAY 2002

Europe

There were May Day marches in many countries of the region, mostly concerned with economic issues. Over a million people across France participated in anti-Le Pen demonstrations, including 400,000 in Paris. About 75,000 labor union members attended a rally in Bologna, Italy. In Russia, pro-government parties and trade unions staged a 140,000-strong rally in Moscow (Reuters).

Western Hemisphere

There were numerous demonstrations around the region generally oriented toward calls for better wages and labor conditions and criticism of the US. In Caracas, Venezuela, tens of thousands of supporters and opponents of President Hugo Chavez held rival marches (Reuters).

2 MAY 2002

Israel, West Bank

Israeli forces completed their withdrawal from PA president Arafat's Ramallah headquarters. The PA had agreed to allow six Palestinians inside the compound who were wanted by the Israelis to be taken to Jericho and placed in US/British custody. The seige of militants at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem continued (Reuters).

Colombia

There were unusually fierce clashes between the FARC rebels and the AUC militia in Antioquia province (Reuters).

Diplomatic Affairs

European Commission president Romano Prodi and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar met US President Bush in Washington. They discussed a wide range of foreign policy and trade issues (Reuters).

5 MAY 2002

France, Politics

The runoff for the presidential election was held. President Jacques Chirac defeated Jean-Marie Le Pen 82.2% to 17.8% (IFES).

Iraq, Foreign Policy

Iraq announced it would end its oil embargo -- which began on 8 April -- after midnight on 7 May (Reuters).

Venezuela, Politics

President Hugo Chavez announced several changes to his cabinet. General Lucas Rincon was named defense minister. Diosdado Cabello replaced Ramon Rodriquez as interior minister. Felipe Perez, an economics professor with a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, became planning minister, replacing Jorge Giordani. Tobias Nobrega, a banking and finance specialist without government experience, was named finance minister.

Giordani was associated with the socialist economic policies that Chavez has pursued. Perez said he would maintain the basic strategy of Giordani's policies, which have concentrated on social spending to fight poverty, but also said "there has to be sustainable fiscal management" (Reuters).

6 MAY 2002

Diplomatic Affairs

The US government notified the UN that the US would not cooperate with the new International Criminal Court (ICC) (see 11 April); that the US, in effect, was neutralizing its signature of the treaty. Former president Bill Clinton had signed the treaty, apparently hoping that during treaty negotiations the US could obtain a guarantee that American military personnel abroad would not be liable to politically motivated prosecutions. Human rights groups were highly critical of the decision, saying that the US was abdicating its leadership role in promoting the rule of law and the prosecution of war criminals. Both the Clinton and the Bush administration had said they did not intend to seek ratification of the treaty, reflecting the heavy opposition that the treaty would likely have encountered in the US Senate (Rueters).

Myanmar

The military government released Aung San Suu Ky, leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD), from house arrest. She had been detained since September 2000 (Reuters).

Netherlands

Politician Pim Fortuyn was murdered in Hilversum (Reuters).

France, Politics

Lionel Jospin resigned as premier. President Chirac replaced him with Jean-Pierre Raffarin (Reuters).

7 MAY 2002

Israel

A suicide bomber killed 15 people in Rishon Letzion. It was not immediately clear who was responsible, but some reports suggested Hamas. Prime Minister Sharon was in the US meeting with President Bush; he cut short his visit, returning to Israel that evening (Reuters).

8 MAY 2002

Pakistan

A suicide bomber killed 11 French and two Pakistanis in Karachi. The bomber drove alongside their bus in an explosives-packed car. The French were naval experts helping Pakistan build submarines (Reuters).

9 MAY 2002

Russia

A remote-controlled mine was used to kill 34 people in Kaspiisk, Dagestan province. Dagestan adjoins the rebellious province of Chechnya (Reuters).

10 MAY 2002

Indonesia

Representatives of the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels concluded two days of talks in Switzerland with an agreement on a cease-fire in the rebellious Aceh province on Sumatra. They released a statement saying that an autonomy package offered by the government for the province -- the Islamic Nation of Aceh Law (NAD) -- could be a starting point for negotiations on a political settlement. Until now the GAM has pressed for full independence for Aceh. A GAM negotiator said talks would resume in July (Reuters).

Israel, West Bank

The standoff in Bethlehem at the Church of the Nativity ended peacefully. Under a European-brokered deal, 13 Palestinians on Israel's most-wanted list were flown to Cyprus, to be later exiled to third countries. Another 26 militants were expelled from the West Bank and taken to Gaza. Israeli forces withdrew from Bethlehem (Reuters).

11 MAY 2002

Middle East and North Africa, Diplomatic Affairs

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Syrian President Bashar-al-Assad and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah, meeting in Sharm el-Sheich, Egypt, released a statement endorsing the Saudi-sponsored peace plan adopted by the Arab League (see 27-28 March). According to the statement, "The three leaders stressed their commitment to the Arab peace initiative...and that this initiative is the basis for any Arab action for achieving a just and comprehensive peace....They urged all countries to stand by Arab rights...and pressure Israel to withdraw from all occupied lands" (Reuters).

Israel

At least 50,000 Israelis attended a rally in Tel Aviv organized by the Peace Now movement calling for Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories and the establishment of a Palestinian state (Reuters).

Venezuela

Tens of thousands demonstrated in Caracas against President Hugo Chavez (Reuters).

12 MAY 2002

Mali, Politics

In the runoff of a presidential election, Amadou Toumani Toure defeated Soumaila Cisse of the ruling Alliance for Democracy, 64.35% to 35.65%. The first round, held on 28 April, was marred by irregularities. On 9 June, Toure named Ahmed Mohammed Ag Amani Prime Minister (Reuters, IFES).

Liberia

Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) rebels attacked Kley (Reuters).

14 MAY 2002

Diplomatic Affairs

The UN Security Council approved a major overhaul of Iraq's oil-for-food program. Until now, Iraq has been allowed to sell oil to buy food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies in order to ease the impact of UN sanctions on ordinary Iraqis. Proceeds from the oil exports go into a UN escrow account out of which suppliers of goods are paid. The US has blocked about $5.2 billion worth of goods Iraq has ordered.

The Council's decision renews this program until 25 November. The new program will continue to ban military goods. There will be a 300-page list of "dual use" goods that could have some military application, such as trucks and telecommunications. The Security Council will review Iraqi orders for goods on this list. Items not on the list, such as sewing machines and bicycles, will move to Iraq more quickly than before. The US may now release some of the items it has put on hold (Reuters).

Sierra Leone, Politics

There were presidential and parliamentary elections. President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah was reelected, winning over 70% of the vote in a crowded field. The Revolutionary United Front Party (RUFP), the party of the former and unpopular RUF rebels, failed to win even one seat in parliament (Reuters).

15 MAY 2002

Netherlands, Politics

General elections were held. The Christian Democrats (CDA) won 43 of parliament's 150 seats. The Pim Fortuyn List (LPF) won 26 seats. The ruling coalition of Labor, the free-market VVD and D66 liberals was decisively defeated, with Labor and VVD each winning only 23 seats. The Socialist Party won nine (Reuters).

17 MAY 2002

Sub-Saharan Africa, Diplomatic Affairs

Leaders of West Africa's Nigeria-dominated economic bloc ECOWAS met in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, to discuss plans to encourage foreign investment in the region. They also addressed the rebellion in Liberia, saying that the government and rebels should arrange a cease-fire and begin talks. ECOWAS officials said the LURD rebels would not be recognized by the bloc if they toppled President Charles Taylor, and that ECOWAS was willing to intervene with a peacekeeping force if neccessary (Reuters).

Ireland, Politics

In general elections, Prime Minister Bertie Ahern's Fianna Fail party won 75 of the Dail's 166 seats. The main opposition Fine Gael party suffered a heavy defeat, winning only 29 seats. The Green Party won six seats, and Sinn Fein won five (Reuters).

Diplomatic Affairs

Leaders of about 50 EU, Latin American and Caribbean states met in Madrid and agreed to increase cooperation in trade and in fighting terrorism and drug-trafficking (Reuters).

19 MAY 2002

East Timor

At midnight, the former Indonesian-controlled territory became an independent state. At a ceremony in Dili, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan formally handed over the administrative control that a UN mission had exercised since 1999. Former rebel leader Xanana Gusamao was sworn in as President (Reuters).

Israel

A suicide bomber from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) killed three Israelis in Netanya (Reuters).

21 MAY 2002

India, Kashmir

Abdul Gani Lone, a moderate leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Kashmir's main separatist alliance, was assassinated in Srinigar (Reuters). This was more bad news to add to the recent attack on an Indian army instalation that killed mostly women and children dependents, aggravating the continuing confrontation between India and Pakistan (see 14 December 2001).

22 MAY 2002

Diplomatic Affairs

US President Bush began an important European trip that included visits to Germany, Russia, France and Italy. He signed a major arms treaty in Russia (see 24 May) and helped inaugurate the NATO-Russia Council in Italy (see 28 May) (Reuters).

Nepal, Politics

King Gyanendra dissolved the lower house of parliament and called new elections for 13 November. He acted on the advice of Prime Minister Sher Bahudur Deuba, who apparently wished to preclude an upcoming and difficult debate and vote in parliament on extending emergency rule. The government said operations against the Maoist rebels would continue (Reuters).

Israel

An Israeli missile strike killed Mahmoud Titi, a commander in the al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, near Nablus. Later, a suicide bomber from the Brigades killed two Israelis in Rishon Letzion (Reuters).

23-29 MAY 2002

Venezuela

Pedro Carmona, who was briefly president during last month's failed coup, escaped house arrest on the 23rd, taking refuge in the Colombian ambassador's residence. Carmona requested, and Colombia granted, political asylum. Carmona was allowed to fly out of Caracas to Colombia on the 29th (Reuters).

24 MAY 2002

Diplomatic Affairs

The United States and Russia signed the Treaty of Moscow in the Kremlin. It requires both countries to reduce warheads on strategic nuclear delivery vehicles to 1,700-2,200 from current levels of around 5,000-6,000. Either party can withdraw from the treaty on three month's notice.

The following day US President Bush, in his weekly radio address, said he and Russian President Vladimir Putin were "putting the old rivalries of our nations firmly behind us" and that Russia and the US were "building a friendship based on shared interests -- fighting terrorism and expanding our trade relationship" (Reuters).

25 MAY 2002

Lesotho, Politics

General elections were held. According to the country's Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) won 77 of the 80 seats being contested under a first-past-the-post electoral system. The remaining 40 seats in the parliament were awarded under a system based on proportional representation. The Basotho National Party (BNP) secured 21 of these. Opposition parties claimed there were irregularities, but foreign observers said the election was fair (Reuters).

Cuba, Foreign Policy

President Fidel Castro denied US charges that Cuba is a sponsor of international terrorism, saying that "In the struggle against the scourge of terrorism, the American people can count on this friendly, fraternal and generous people." He was reacting to Cuba's recent inclusion in an annual list of seven states the US State Department says sponsor terrorism. The US says Cuba harbors members of Spain's ETA terrorist group (Reuters).

26 MAY 2002

Colombia, Politics

Alvaro Uribe, an independent candidate, won the presidential election with 53% of the vote. The Liberal Party's Horacio Serpa won 32%. Outgoing President Andres Pastrana's Conservative Party did not field a candidate and instead backed Uribe during the campaign.

Uribe had promised to increase military spending by one-third and to double military and police personnel. He also promised to increase social spending. The day after his election, Uribe asked the UN to provide mediation between the government and the FARC rebels. But he also said, in order for there to be new talks with the FARC, that the rebels must lay down their arms, cease hostilities and end their profitable kidnapping business. For their part, the FARC have demanded, as a precondition for resuming talks, that they be granted the Putumayo and Caqueta regions in the south as a safe haven. These are two major cocaine-producing areas. It seems unlikely that Uribe, given his past criticism of Pastrana's policies, would agree to that condition (Reuters).

27 MAY 2002

Israel

The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades conducted a suicide bombing in Petah Tikva, killing two Israelis (Reuters).

28 MAY 2002

Diplomatic Affairs

Russia and the members of NATO inaugurated the NATO-Russia Council. It replaces the Permanent Joint Council. The new body will deal with counter-terrorism, arms control, NBC weapons proliferation, crisis management and peacekeeping, maritime safety and responding to civil emergencies. The new Council is designed to give Russia a greater voice in NATO's decision-making process without giving her a veto in alliance affairs (Reuters). Russia has continually complained that NATO's past and proposed expansion eastward is unnecessary and unwelcome. NATO's overtures to Russia over the years have appeared to be intended, at least in part, to ease Russia's concerns.

29 MAY 2002

United States, Military Affairs

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as part of its ongoing reorganization, announced it was shifting hundreds of agents to counter-terrorism from fighting drugs, white collar crime and violent crime. It was also seeking to correct shortcomings in the analysis of intelligence (Reuters).

31 MAY 2002

Colombia

President Pastrana announced a suspension of negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) (Reuters).

Diplomatic Affairs

All 15 EU members ratified the Kyoto protocol on global warming. It requires industrialized countries to reduce their emission of 'greenhouse gases', such as carbon dioxide and methane, by an average of five percent over the period 2008-2012. The EU as a bloc is on course to meet its targets under the agreement.

To take effect, the pact must be ratified by at least 55 states representing 55% of industrialized states' emissions. Seventy have now ratified, representing 26.6% of industrialized states' emissions. Two states that have signed but not yet ratified, Japan and Russia, were expected to do so in the near future, which would give the protocol the necessary 55% (Reuters).