From the World-Wide Resourses of the Western Australia
Reserch Senter(*)
		OIL THE NEWS THAT FITS MY VIEWS
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In the Run-Up to World War III, Reliably Reporting the News Relevant
to Extreme Right-Wing Democratic Socialists Everywhere
(validated for RiteThink(tm) by the Office of Our Man in Can-berra).

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Selecting latest news stories and other data for you...
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In the good old days they used to send
migrants to Australia for a good flogging.
Nothing much has changed.
	-- anon, 14 Feb 2003

----------------------------------------
12 Feb 2003.

Washington. Continuing to ramp up the paranoia, US intel chiefs have
warned that terrorists might attack somewhere in America or on the
Arabian peninsula using radiological or chemical weapons.  The warning
comes after analysts noticed an increase in "Internet chatter".  CIA
Dir George Tenet has warned the Congress that Al Qaeda is developing
or refining "new means" of attack.  He says they include the use of
SAM's (old means), poisons, and "air, surface and underwater methods"
of attacking maritime targets.

Dublin.  ANTE UP! Irish bookies have reported heavy betting on the
survival (perhaps they just mean "political"?) of Saddam Hussein.  One
company said it was taking online wagers on when the Iraqi leader
would fall, with choices from Feb to Jun. The odds yesterday had
Saddam falling by the end of Mar at 40%.

NY.  LES WEASELS. America's media is frothing over the activities of an
"axis of weasels".  Among other technical terms there are "petulant
prima donnas of realpolitik", "chorus of cowards", "cheese-eating
surrender monkeys", "Mini-Me minions", and "unholy alliance of
whimps".  Welcome to Old Europe, as seen by US commentators.  The
front page of the NY Post was more sombre.  Showing graves at Normandy
it sported a caption: "They died for France but France has forgotten".
Another cartoon in the same paper showed an ostrich, captioned: "The
national bird of France".  While damn foreign diplomats come equipped
to interpret and ignore such language, translators for "foreign TV"
are having a lot of trouble conveying the nuances of purest vitriol
"back home". "Axis of weasels" lost a lot of punch when rendered "axe
de faux jetons" (lit. "axis of devious characters").  American wrath
is reserved for nations that oppose US primacy in international
affairs.  And something must be up. Even the reserved WSJ got in on
the act.  "Three countries... have moved from opposition to US policy
toward Iraq into formal, and consequential obstructionism", the
editorial said.

Paris.  LES FROGS! The French media are accustomed to colourful
language, political intrigue with sharp implements, and a history of
reading the UK and US press.  But it's been taken aback by the river
of bile flowing from major US publications, not to mention RW rags
like the National Review.  But it's holding its tongue.  Ripostes, in
general, have come in the form of low-key ironic editorials revisiting
old themes of trans-Alt discord.  But ain't that just LIKE them
ref-eened Frogs?
Of Colin Powell's presentation to the UN: "It wasn't exactly
Spielberg", said Le Figaro.  "The hour was grave. The production was
sombre.  It lasted 90 minutes. What did we find out?  Not much."  To
America's list of "lies of Saddam Hussein" the paper suggested "must
be added those of the Bush Administration. The naked truth is
that America, after 9/11, needs vengeance, needs to reaffirm its
strength. And faced with this willingness to wield power, most of the
planet's leaders can do nothing".
La Monde said the Iraq problem was all down to Pres George Bush Jr's
"simple -- the word is no doubt more appropriate than simplistic --
and almost messianic view of America's role in the 21st century".
Liberation, summed up France's view of Bush foreign policy as
"simply the old American cocktail of missionary zeal and crude
realpolitik.  We've been there before and we'll go there again".
Now I just have to look up Manifest Destiny.

Canberra.  Immigration officials have admitted for the first time
prisoners at the Nauru damn foreigner prison run the jail themselves
after guards and officials left during unrest on Xmas Eve, 2002.
"Effectively you could call it a self-managed centre", Vince McMahon,
head of Im Dept offshore prison mgt, told a Senate hearing yesterday.
Officers from the International Organisation for Migration abandoned
the centre after 60 to 70 prisoners tried to leave, and guards and
inmates were reportedly involved in an extended rock-throwing incident.
54 prisoners remain at the centre after 100 others elected to move to
Nauru's other refugee's jail.  A Dept rep said IOM had not "abandoned"
the centre, and was still "providing services" from the jail fence.
The company is still being paid for the services.  Until the company
decided it was safe to return, things would remain that way, he said.

Sydney.  Profit season continues.  The Commonwealth Bank announced a
48% profit slump for the 6m to Dec last y, making only $A220 mn.  Just
after the $400 mn shortfall, investors also didn't like a $33 mn
handshake to a former exec.  The exec was not ID-ed, but speculation
centres on Chris Cuffe. Laughing all the way to the bank. Which bank?
Mr Cuffe has declined to comment. The Commonwealth still announced a 69
cent dividend this y, up 1 c per ordinary share from last y.  The
Commonwealth closed up 2 cents. The AUD was down from recent highs to
59.19 US cents as foreigners resuscitated the greenback.  Gold was
also down to $US361.25/oz.  The All Ords outperformed Wall St that was
down 1%.  Elsewhere, experts say the hoped-for business investment
boom has stalled and falling consumer conf may send retail spending
down, crippling the economy.  No wonder the RBA is thinking of a cut.

Sydney.  DAMAGE CONTROL!  The Commonwealth has come out in damage
control over the "payout row".  Wowsers have also started coming out
of the woodwork over the $33 mn "Cuffe payout". Tellers sacked by the
Commonwealth while Mr Cuffe was earning $13,000 a day say their
payouts have seen them struggling to survive after 6 m without work.
Over the past y 1000 low-paid staff, mainly tellers, have been laid
off by the Bank.  About 17,000 employees were sacked and 850 branches
closed over the past 10 y.
Treas Peter Costello said no executive was worth $32 mn.  He said
directors should have a very good explanation ready for their
shareholders.
The Opp'n has called on the govt to "stop crying crocodile tears" over
the row, and pass legislation to stop it.  The ACTU says the $33 mn
package, accumulated by Mr Cuffe for 10 y work at Which Bank, would
pay for an increase in all staff at the Bank, plus several other large
companies.
Today the Commonwealth released a statement saying they could not get
out of contractual obligations they had inherited when they took over
Colonial First State, which Mr Cuffe had headed. Early termination of
his contract would still have seen a payout near $30 mn.
But the Bank's explanation has been disputed by reps of Mr Cuffe.
They say the payout was not a golden handshake, but related to
performance-related bonuses. In any case, new contracts had been
negotiated and signed between Mr Cuffe and the Bank last y and in 2000.
Other observers say as long as exec payouts are tax deductions we
would see them continue to grow.
Tony Abbott says the key is investor action, not legislation.  He said
he can understand why millions of Aussies feel ripped off.  He queries
why directors and investors didn't take action.
Gerry Harvey said the row was a symptom of the Tall Poppy Syndrome.

Canberra.  BRAIN WANE! Australia's Gang of Eight leading unis says a
new study shows Australia is in danger of lagging behind the rest of
the world in tertiary education.  G8 Pres John Hay says the
Productivity Commission's International Comparisons of University
Resourcing is a useful contribution to the higher ed debate.  He says
it provides a valuable snapshot of 11 Aussie unis and 26 international
unis drawn from 9 countries.  Our average & their best; sounds a fair
comparison!

Melbourne.  BRAIN LANE! Proving what many of us feared. Melb is
smarter than the rest of Aus, and getting smarter, say ABS stats.
Analysis of the 2001 census shows the proportion of Melb's population
with a uni education jumped a massive 10 pts in the 10 y from 1991.
24% of the workforce in Melb had uni quals in 2001, compared with an
average of other capitals of 22%.  An ABS rep said it was just a
continuation of a long-established trend.

Melbourne. The Melb Museum is pushing the State govt to make entry to
the museum free again.  The present scheme, that sees the museum raise
$10 mn from entry fees, was created under the Kennett govt, but opened
by Mr Bracks.  But since moving from its original CBD site, the museum
has seen a dramatic decline in visitor numbers.  Experts put it down
to the entry fee, the poor location, and a move away from the
traditional museum display philosophy.  Dir Pat Greene raised the
no-fee option yesterday, together with a call for a $1 mn injection to
keep the museum operating. He also announced a range of cost-cutting
and efficiency measures.  Before the opening of the new building more
than 2 y ago, visitor numbers were projected to be 700,000 pa. They
presently run around 1/2 that number, below the level of
sustainability.  Mr Greene said the Brit Museum went back to free
entry in stages last y, boosting numbers by 70%.

Bethlehem. Israeli forces have tightened their grip on the city,
sending in tanks for the first time in m's.  The move follows the
death of a soldier from sniper fire near the Church of the Nativity.
Elsewhere in the W Bank, soldiers shot an 8 yo boy to death in what's
described as "a clash".  A truce meeting between snr Israeli
officials, tentatively set for yesterday, still has not taken place.

Adelaide. The 7th annual Sunrace is set to kick off from Adel to
Sydney on Sat. The race features cars that can travel at 100 kph on
the energy it takes to toast a slice of bread. The 10-day race covers
2,300 km for solar, hybrid and all-electric vehicles.  Race entrants
this y include 2 solar cars -- the UNSW's Sunswift II and the RMIT's
Aurora 101.

The Gulf.  ANTHRAX JABS! 11 more diggers are flying back to Australia
after they refused the "offer" of anthrax jabs.  Gen Cosgrove said an
unknown number of others are "re-considering the offer" as well, and
the number of troops returning home could soon rise.  The initial
returnees indicated they had been aware of risks of the anthrax
vaccine.  They were even more suspicious of the concent form they were
asked to sign as part of the inoculation. One said he didn't want to
have to sue the Fed Govt in 10 y if the shots made him sick.
Other reports say perhaps 2 dozen young women on their way to the Gulf
are refusing to take the shots over fears it may affect their
fertility.  British forces on the way to the Gulf are not forced to
take the vaccine, and 1/2 have reportedly declined to.  Some experts
link anthrax jabs with the Gulf War Syndrome suffered by many vets of
Iraq I. The Aussie govt rejects this.
In Parliament, Def Min Hill said he would be willing to take the
series of up to 6 shots himself, if he was told by experts there was a
real threat of getting the disease.  If he absolutely had to.  But he
wouldn't, because then everyone would just label it a stunt.  Opp'n
leader Crean asked why the govt had waited for 2 days after the ship
had sailed before telling seamen they needed the vaccine. But Sen Hill
dismissed the Q as "an attempt to build a conspiracy theory".  He's
now reading up on Freud. The Armed Forces Assoc was also loudly
wondering why people weren't given the shots ahead of time.
Other observers say the inoculation was delayed for "political
reasons". Labor was saying in later reports it was all part of the
govt's attempt to disguise the fact Aussie troops were being committed
to the war on Iraq.  Def Min Hill continues to maintain Aussies can be
pulled out at any time.

Melbourne.  BUSTED! PIPES! The Big Dry is costing big bucks and
wasting water.  There's so little moisture in the soil around Melb
that old clay pipes are cracking up.  Water pipes are bursting
everywhere.  Water suppliers are calling for customers to be patient
while breaks are repaired.  A survey by water officials shows 700
pipes have burst across suburban Melb in the last m, twice the usual
rate.  They've also calculated about 40 bn L of water pa are going down
the drains due to the cracked network.  City Water says they've fixed 900
breaks since Jan, and expect more of the same if enough rain doesn't
come soon.

Melbourne (Ch 7).  Vic's Liberals have been asked to see a shrink.  At
a LP conflab leader Robert Doyle suggested all 32 MP's get psych
profiling.  Some are worried about what that means.  "What would be
the alternative?", Mr Doyle asked reporters.  Should the party be
"commiserating and naval gazing"?  If so, it "wouldn't be able to
move on", he said.  With "backs to the wall" the "Liberal Party will
come out on top", Mr Doyle hoped.

Washington (The Age).  PM John Howard's profile on CNN got a boost
when he appeared in successive stories with Pres Bush, Sec of State
Powell, and Def Sec Rumsfeld on a day when tensions over Iraq policy
dominated the media.  But few of the Whitehouse reporters were
riveted by what Mr Howard had to say in support of the Bush Admin and
a war on Saddam.  By the time footage reached newsrooms Mr Howard was
removed, with editors culling the material for grabs related to the
rift between the US and Old Europe.

NY.  DUCT TAPE SHORTAGES! Following the successful "fridge magnet"
campaign in Australia, US citizens are being urged to prepare
emergency kits to help stave off bio and chem agents in case of
attack.  The US is presently at level orange, and warnings of possible
imminent attack on US citizens somewhere in the world, possibly with
some kind of WMD or equivalent, have been renewed.  This is based on
"specific evidence", according to the FBI. US Critics say the
recommendations are mostly silly.  Officials have suggested citizens
use sheets of plastic and rolls of duct tape to protect themselves
from chem and bio agents in their appts and homes.  Other elements of
the kit include a battery-powered radio and non-perishable food such
as peanut butter.  While critics compare the new ideas with the
effectiveness of "duck & cover" in the 60s and 70s, that was meant to
save Americans in the event of nuclear war, lines of people clutching
large rolls of duct tape have been spotted at supermarket checkouts,
esp. in NYC. Buy the stock; it'll pay off better in the long run!

Sydney. A 23 yo man has been charged with using the Panic Hotline to
threaten PM John Howard.  The man, from Syd's inner W, succeeded in
seeking 6 wk for his lawyers to prepare his case.  Police allege the
suspect called the Hotline on 17 Jan and threatened to shoot Mr
Howard.  He was located within 6 hrs, thanks to that automatic trace
thing.  When arrested, the suspect told police he'd made the threat
because the govt's policy on Iraq had been responsible for him losing
his job at a convenience store.  Outside court today he expanded the
explanation, saying hit actions were a "political statement". The man
will re-appear on Mar 25 when he's expected to enter a plea.

Vienna.  NORTH KOREA! The UN's nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, is meeting
tonight to consider whether to refer North Korea to the UN Sec
Council.  Concern was sparked recently when NK announced it was
re-started a reactor thought to be at the centre of NK's nuclear
weapons program.  Photo evidence also allegedly spotted the movement
of fuel rods, thought to be an indication enrichment programs to
produce plutonium had also been resumed.  North Korea is suspected of
possessing 2 nuclear bombs already.  The UN atomic organisation can
ask for sanctions against countries suspected to be violating nuclear
resolutions.  But NK has warned new sanctions would be received as a
declaration of war. It has previously threatened the US with
pre-emptive nuclear strikes, in line with the Bush Doctrine.

Washington. I REMEMBER IRAN! In the midst of bru ha ha's to left and
right, the US has recalled Iran, Evil Axis Member Number 3.  US
officials have expressed their official concern at Iran's possible
plans to develop nuclear weapons after the country announced a renewed
and ambitious nuclear program.  The head of Iran's atomic energy
organisation announced the country is moving to (re-)process uranium
for its energy program.  A signatory to the non-proliferation pacts,
Iran insists its program is purely for peaceful purposes and has
invited the UN to verify facilities later this m.  But Richard
Boucher, for the US State Dept, said the Admin had "grave concerns"
the energy program was being used as a pretext to develop WMD.  He
said Iran's pursuit of a complete nuclear fuel cycle "only makes
sense" if it was part of a weapons program.  UN and EU officials have
called on Iran to sign up for tougher inspections protocols from the
IAEA.

Canberra.  MEDDLING! The row over criticism Labor MP's and the ALP by
US Amb Schieffer continued today with Opp'n leader Crean calling the
Amb to his office for a 2nd talking-to within 1 wk.  The latest
lecture concerned what Mr Crean characterised yesterday as meddling in
the internal politics of the ALP.  The US Amb had suggested in the
interview, among other things, that Kim Beazley was a better bloke
than Simon Crean.  Mr Schieffer had also told The Bulletin Labor
appeals to the anti-American and anti-Bush sentiment in Australia by
opposing US policy, particularly its anti-war stance over Iraq.
Former Labor For Af rep Laurie Brereton said the US Amb should be
recalled to Wash and "counciled".  But current shadow For Af rep Rudd
just asked Mr Schieffer to cool it.  The row continued amid
revelations the Fed Govt was preparing for war in Iraq as early as Jun
last y.  Gen Cosgrove told a Senate committee Aus has been invited by
US Cmdr Tommy Franks to observe US "contingency planning" for a
planned invasion of Iraq in the middle of 2002.  The Opp'n tried to
use this as further ammunition in its campaign alleging the govt is
lying by continuing to claim Australian troops are not secretly
committed to war, regardless of a UN mandate.  Def Min Hill said the
govt was open to the Aus people and "confirmed the fact" the US had
contingency plans for a war with Iraq.

Brussels.  NATO!  There are signs that a compromise plan is being
thrashed out tonight that would bring the "recalcitrant" members of
NATO into agreement with the US on plans to protect Turkey during an
invasion of Iraq.  The new plan would "limit the scope of deployments"
in Turkey, but the timetable for moving the equipment is still in
dispute.  After days of failed negotiations NATO chair Robertson said
he was making headway in persuading France, Germany and Belgium to
defend the only NATO member that shares a border with Iraq.  The 3
nations have so far opposed any pre-war deployments suggested by the
US.  "Bush hits a snag", the headlines of one paper ran.  They are
supported by Russia, and now China in the move that's designed to
stymie US plans to wage war in Baghdad.  "The moment of truth is
coming", US Sec of State Powell said.  He urged the 3 nations to come
together and support forward deployment of Turkish defences, otherwise
risk splitting up NATO.  But observers say 11/15 of the NATO members
support extension of UN weapons inspectors in Iraq, exactly the
position of France, Germany and Belgium.  The US and UK are still
on-message, with Def Min Hoon telling reporters they still expect a UN
resolution authorising the use of force any day now.

----------------------------------------
13 Feb 2003.

Baghdad (Ch 7). BUSTED! There are news reports this evening that Iraq
has been "caught" developing forbidden long-range missiles by
extending the range of other weapons.  UN inspectors said they will
give a press conf tomorrow.  Observers say the revelation may be the
"smoking gun" the US needs to launch an immediate pre-emptive attack.
[It turned out in later reports, "long range" meant exceeding a UN-set
limit of 150 km].

New Delhi. MISSILES! India has test-fired a supersonic cruise missile
jointly developed by New Delhi and Moscow and capable of hitting
several Pakistani cities. Pakistan criticised what it called India's
"massive militarisation".  The Brahmos missile has a range of 300 km,
enough to reach a large swathe of neighbouring Pakistan, India's rival
for 5 decades. The new missile can only carry conventional warheads.

Vienna.  NUKE STANDOFF!  Raising the stakes in the standoff with North
Korea, the IAEA has reported the Communist state to the Security
Council. The UN atomic agency's board of governors made the decision
in an emergency closed-door session at its HQ overnight.  The agency
says NK has not met its obligations under international nuclear
accords.  Russia and Cuba abstained from the vote, which sets the
stage for possible sanctions.  Earlier, NK had announced it would
treat new sanctions as a declaration of war.  In late reports, China
is siding with NK. And NK has issued new warnings saying it might move
to attack US targets anywhere in the world.  They also called for the
US to be dragged before the Sec Council.  In the US, Ari Fleischer
said things were headed in the "direction we want to go".

Canberra.  For Min Alex Downer has welcomed the UN decision to refer
NK's nuclear program to the Security Council for further action.  The
IAEA passed a resolution declaring NK in breach of UN safeguards and
referred the issue to the Sec Council.  As one of the 35 members of
the UN nuclear watchdog board, Mr Downer says Australia supports the
decision.

Washington. SCRAMBLE!  US fighter aircraft, air defence radar and
missile batteries have been alerted around the US capital.  A military
rep said the move followed warnings of a heightened threat of
terrorist attack.  Maj Brenda Barker said the multilayered air
defences around Washington included Avenger air defence missiles,
Sentinel radars and Stinger missiles.  Customs Services choppers and
fighter jets will be on patrol in and around the newly-extended 30 mi
no-fly zone until further notice.  Both the US and UK are on high
levels of alert following what the CIA said were "specific threats"
and "increased levels of chatter" on the Internet.  In other news, NBC
reports officials "may have dropped the ball" on the Oklahoma City
bombing. They said reports released recently show the exact date of
the attack that killed dozens had been known before the bombing.

NY (Ch 10).  ALERT! The US alert is ramping up, with trucks now being
searched that head into NYC.  Names are being written down.  Police
are looking for explosives. There are signs of some panic buying to
stock up on "survival kits".  Can-openers and batteries are reportedly
running out in some areas.  In Washington and NYC, people are buying
gas-masks and nylon suits after early-morning TV shows across the
country pushed sales of protective wear to "empower" Americans against
terrorists.  It was part of what reports say was "saturation coverage"
of the imminent attack. Many Americans are reportedly moving down into
fortified cellars "for the duration".  Some NYC residents say they
won't be scared off the streets by OBL. Elsewhere, doctors have
advised Americans to keep medical kits at the ready.  The CIA says
OBL's latest tape may contain hidden messages on where and when to
attack American targets.  But other officials say the greatest risk is
to US targets O/S.  Commentators say Osama bin Laden is "spreading
hatred of Americans over the Muslim world".

Washington. IRAQ ATTACK! The US military says coalition warplanes have
attacked Iraqi surface-to-surface missile sites that were capable of
reaching assembling US troops in Kuwait. The US Central Command says
the raid targeted missile sites in S Iraq, near Basra.  US troops
continue to gather in the Gulf for a "possible war on Iraq" over
Iraq's alleged refusal to give up weapons banned by the UN.  The
coalition also hit missile site near Basra yesterday.

Bagram. AFGHAN ATTACK! Provincial Afghan authorities say at least 17
civilians have been killed in bombing raids by US-led forces.
Washington says the bombing was aimed at rooting out remnants of the
Taliban. Haji Mohammad Wali, rep for the govt of Helmand province,
says an official has reported civilian deaths after relatives came
forward.  US military officials say bombers pounded a ridge in C
Afghanistan after forces spotted around 25 armed Taliban suspects
taking up offensive positions.

Sydney. DONT PANIC, BE HAPPY!  In London, PM John Howard said
Australia doesn't face any new specific threats following moves by the
US and UK to heighten states of alert.  The UK has moved 1000s of
police armed with automatic weapons and body armour, soldiers and
tanks into positions around Heathrow airport and elsewhere for a 2nd
day.  Officials say terrorists may be planning to shoot down passenger
aircraft with rockets.  While some have called on the public to calm
down, other snr govt members have equated the security crackdown to
the 9/11 attacks when "thousands died".  They were trying to deny
criticism the Brit govt was playing up the alert to further its war
aims against Iraq.  There is reportedly panic buying of gas-masks and
chemical suits.  Across the Atlantic, the US has begun
around-the-clock patrols over Washington and other major cities likely
to be terrorist targets.  Mr Howard says the current threats are
"specific" and the alerts are "very understandable".  The PM told
Sydney radio 2GB that Australia doesn't face a specific threat,
although he can understand general public anxiety after watching too
much TV. Relax!  Go to your fridges and fill in some emergency
numbers!

Canberra. TAKE CARE! Australians visiting the UK are being warned to
be on alert against terrorist attack as a security clamp-down there
moves into a 3rd day. Soldiers and armed guards have been places
around Brit airports after the Blair govt warned the country it faces
a terrorist attack on the scale of Sep 11.  In CBR, the Dept of For Af
says Aussies travelling O/S should be "especially alert".  And it says
travellers can be refused entry to Brit if they fail to meet visa
rules imposed during the security clamp-down.

London (Ch 10).  UK ALERT! PM John Howard arrived in London today on
his round-the-world "timetable tour".  It was previously dubbed by Mr
Howard a "peace mission", but he hasn't mentioned that lately.  Amid
the tightest security in recent history, Mr Howard met with For Min
Jack Straw.  Heavily armed police and troops are apparent all around
London as "the world" (i.e. the US and UK) goes onto heightened levels
of terrorism alert.  The Aussie PM said the latest taped OBL message
confirmed there was a link between terrorism and Iraq.  But Mr Howard
said the identification of Osama bin Laden was only a "preliminary
assessment".  In a joint press conf, Jack Straw said the 2 enemies had
different ideologies, but shared a common cause.  He also said Aus and
Brit shared common views on Iraq.  Mr Straw said a peaceful solution
to the Iraq problem rested with Saddam Hussein.  Both Mr Howard and
Brit PM Tony Blair are gambling with a public backlash if an Iraqi war
turns nasty.  Mr Blair was already unpopular because of his backing
for US military action, but opinion polls have "collapsed" for Mr
Blair after his call-out of troops to protect Heathrow, the world's
busiest airport.  Polls show 86% of Brits want more time for
inspections.  Police expect 1/2 mn peace demonstrators to fall on
London over the weekend.  For Sec Straw is also under pressure, to
supply more info about the current threat.  After meetings, King Chuck
and Mr Howard attended a memorial for the casualties of the Bali
bombing.

NY (SBS). ISOLATED!  The US and UK are said to be increasingly
isolated over taped "connections" between Osama bin Laden and the
Iraqi govt.  Iraq has always denied any link with terrorist groups.
Today Germany said it "can't deduce any connection" between the 2,
based on the tape.  In the US the Bush Admin has accused Germany of
being "in denial".  Iraqis in the street also reject a link between
their secular govt and Muslim extremists.  The Iraqi VP said
Washington was using talk of the link as an excuse for war.  Other
Iraqi govt officials point out the ideological gulf between the Iraqi
Socialist Party and Muslim fundamentalist Al Qaeda.  In the tape, OBL
refers to the Iraqi regime as "infidels" but says differences had to
be set aside as he called for a holy war against the West.  In the UK,
Def Min Hoon said the tape "set out in detail" connections between the
activities of OBL and the Iraqi regime.  That's a link!  In US Senate
hearings, CIA head Tenet said it was impossible that terrorists
staying in Iraq could be there without govt knowledge.  There's a
link!  Elsewhere, former Pres Bill Clinton said Pres Bush should
concentrate on capturing OBL and less on war with Iraq.  He said his
biggest regret was not capturing Osama. There's another link!

Canberra. AUSTRALIA AT WAR! Parliamentary debate over the war on Iraq
continues today, with the US Ambassador expected to come under more
fire for his public criticism of the Labor Party.  Debate over US plans for
Iraq started last wk, with indep MP Peter Andren likely to force its
conclusion in the last sitting day this m. Mr Andren is expected to
push an amendment that would prevent Australia from backing a US-led
attack on Baghdad unless the 5 permanent members of the UN Security
Council unanimously supported military action.

Canberra. SORRY, NO MONEY!  Treas Peter Costello has shot down a
demand by doctors for an extra $2 bn for the health budget this y.  In
its Budget submission the AMA had called for extra money to improve
bulk-billing numbers and public hospitals, to be funded by an increase
in the Medicare levy of 1.5%.  But Mr Costello says "defence" will be
the top priority for expenditure this FY, with Aussie troops already
deployed in the Gulf.  Presumably this means any Medicare hike will go
to subsidise the American war effort. Yeah!

London. START WALKING!  Seen on TV. London cabbie saying he'd "walk to
Perth" if the Aussies managed a miracle and beat Britain in the
football.  London bookies were offering a "generous" 6 to 1 for the
win.  Ending a series of sometimes farcical losses, Aus won 3/1.
Thank-you bookies!  The BBC told viewers to avert their eyes.  You'll
need a few pairs of good hiking boots, fella!  Some newspapers are now
calling for the Brit team to be transported.

Brisbane.  Police have uncovered illegal weapons in a house and car
on the Gold Coast. The weapons included a gun concealed in a walking
stick, an expandable US-police-style baton, and a silencer fitted
with a laser sight. Several other prohibited items were discovered in
the possession of a man from Mermaid Waters.  Police went to a house
in the area to investigate a domestic disturbance when they found the
weapons.

Brussels. STANDOFF!  NATO has failed in its 2nd attempt to break an
impasse over forward deployment of defences in Turkey ahead of a
US-led war on Iraq.  One diplomat said meetings are over, and members
failed to agree.  He said France, Germany and Belgium had repeated
their resistance to starting preparations for the defence of fellow
NATO member, Turkey.  Another meeting is pencilled in for NATO
ambassadors tomorrow afternoon to try to get a solution.

Jerusalem. WAR CRIMINAL! Israel has recalled its ambassador to Belgium
"for consultations", after Belgium's highest court ruled PM Ariel
Sharon can be sued for war crimes.  For Min rep Yoni Peled says Amb
Yehudi Kenar has been called to Jerusalem for consultations.  At the
same time, Belgian ambassador to Israel, Wilfred Geens, was summoned
to meet Israeli For Min BB Netanyahu tomorrow.  Belgium's Cour de
Cassation has ruled that Sharon can be tried for war crimes under the
country's universal competence law, but only after he leaves office.

The Hague. WAR CRIMINAL! The historic war crimes trial of former
Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic has entered its 2nd y by hearing
from one of the most potentially damaging witnesses. Testimony from
former head of the Yugoslav army, Aleksandar Vasiljevic, proves a
direct link between the Pres and Serb military and paramilitary units
fighting in Croatia. And that undermines Milosevic's claim he was not
directly involved in the Croatian war.

Bethlehem.  Israeli forces have tightened their grip on Bethlehem
after a Palestinian sniper killed an army officer in front of the
Church of the Nativity yesterday.  Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip,
Israeli forces killed 2 people when a shell exploded into 1000s of
deadly shards.  In the West Bank, soldiers killed a teenager during a
"clash" in a refugee camp. The new violence came as Muslims marker the
Feast of the Sacrifice that came under stiff Israeli travel
restrictions.

Brazzaville. EBOLA!  A suspected Ebola outbreak in C Republic of Congo
has now killed 48 people, infected others, and send panicked villages
fleeing the area. Medical experts in the Cuvette W region are taking
blood tests amid strong suspicions the disease is the dreaded
Ebola. Joseph Mboussa, a top official at Republic of Congo's health
ministry, says the lab results will be known in several days. The
Geneva-based WHO says it's taking part in the investigations.

Canberra. ANTHRAX JABS!  11 seamen are either heading back or have arrived
in Aus after refusing anthrax inoculation on the way to the Gulf.
More may follow.  Def Force chief Gen Peter Cosgrove says the series
of inoculations is voluntary and those who refuse will not be
punished.  Troops who reject the injections will be withdrawn from
the Middle East for their own protection, in case they fall victim to
Iraqi bio attack. British troops in a similar position are apparently
set to deploy in the Gulf.  3 seamen from HMAS Kanimbla and 8 from
HMAS Anzac & HMAS Darwin have been sent home so far.

Canberra.  GULF WAR SYNDROME? Following the example set by Gen
Cosgrove, Sen Hill has agreed to have anthrax shots to prove they are
safe.  The govt insisted the vaccine is "not experimental" despite
claims from experts there is not a large enough sample to fully
evaluate side-effects.  But former Gulf War vets say they understand
why 11 seamen have declined to have the jabs.  Some say they are
suffering health effects from their time in the Gulf, and put at least
part of it down to inoculations they had in 1991.  In Parliament
today, questions were asked why the govt is sitting on a report into
the health of former Gulf War vets. Said to be the largest survey of
veteran health yet undertaken in Australia, its results have not yet
been made public.  But the govt released what was said to be the major
finding of the study today, that there was no such thing as Gulf War
Syndrome.  Vets are still suspicious of such declarations from
politicians.  "They treat us like we're expendable", one told
reporters.

La Paz. Hospitals in the Bolivian capital say 3 police officers have
been shot dead in clashes with soldiers.  Officials at La Paz's main
hospital say 7 other police officers suffered gunshot wounds in
clashes that erupted when the Army was sent to clear a square outside
the presidential palace. Students had seized on the absence of police
to pelt palace windows with stones. Police were initially just looking
on from their barracks nearby.  SBS says trouble started when
demonstrators gathered to protest an imminent 12% tax rise, signalled
by the govt to pull the country out of its 5-year recession.  The Pres
has now reportedly withdrawn the tax hike.

Canberra. PREDICTION! New jobs numbers due out today have the govt
bracing for a bit of stick from the Opposition.  Economists are
tipping a loss of 35,000 jobs, even if the 6.2% unemployment figure
actually falls. The participation rate hit a record high last m, but
analysis say the Jan figure should fall back to a more sustainable
level.  The jobs sector continues to be the hardest one to predict,
with an official measure of future employment falling for the 4th time
in a row suggesting a slowdown in jobs growth through the mid y.

Sydney. WRONG! Employment has risen to a new record high after 5 solid
m of jobs growth, with unemployment falling to 6.1%. The ABS says
employment rose in Jan by 111,000, almost as much as the pervious 2 m
combined.  Employment his a record of 9.59 mn, seasonally adjusted,
confounding market expectations of a correction ahead of a slowdown
later this y. In later news Treas Costello acknowledged a "statistical
blip" caused by new methodology.

Sydney (1pm).  MARKETS BATTERED! The Aussie markets are taking a
battering today, with the All Ords down 45 points.  Local markets are
following Wall St, which spiralled down to its lowest levels since
last Oct overnight.  Observers say news that UN arms inspectors found
Iraq has built long-range missiles was also a factor.  [It later
turned out "long range" in this context means > 150 km].  The AUD is
hovering around 59.06 US cents and gold is $US349.60/oz.  On the back
of new job numbers, observers say the RBA won't now be in any hurry to
cut rates.  But they won't raise them, either, with current war
jitters.  Economists have been surprised by the reported job growth,
some saying the numbers as "too good to be true".  Some suspect errors
in sampling.

Sydney (6pm).  HAMMERED! Both the All Ords and Wall St closed down 1%
today.  The Aussie markets were led to a 3 y low by the dominant News
Corp that fell 4%.  It just reported an unexpected loss in Fox
Broadcasting.  The good news was "Ice Age" cost $60 m but earned $360
mn in release and another $200 mn in video and DVD.  Wesfarmers copped
another hammering today after warning the drought will moderate
profits going forward.  Observers described market news as a "litany
of gloom".  Gold was down $US12/oz (3.4%).  This was a technical
correction, said experts, because the war situation with Iraq had not
changed. Oil was around $US35/bbl.

Melbourne. Firefighters are bracing for more hot weather and strong
winds, ending a run of several cool days.  The high temps are likely
to last at least 2 days.  The S edge of the million-ha blaze in the
state's N stretches from Omeo in E Gippsland to the NSW border and
beyond, and is the area of greatest concern.

Melbourne. 2 farmers from drought-ravaged Vic are celebrating lotto
winnings of more than $550,000 each.  A farmer's wife in NE Vic and
another farmer from Mornington Pen were 2 of the 6 winners from last
Sat's draw.  The Wangaratta farmer says the stroke of good luck was
desperately needed and could not have come at a better time as the
drought is having a disastrous effect.  What record? He says that he
and wife would still have preferred rain over the money, as that would
also help their neighbours.

Sydney.  NSW Police Min Costa has announced a review of the Police
Integrity Commission after concerns were expressed over its length and
cost. After 2 y and a reported $8 mn, the PIC has found "no evidence"
snr officers had deliberately obstructed reform of the service.  The
costly exercise, originally set down as 8 days of public hearings,
has recommended no action against any person.  Mr Costa announced the
"review" yesterday only 1 hr after an anti-climatic progress report
was released.

----------------------------------------
14 Feb 2003.

NY (NBC).  MISSILES! Weapons inspectors report they have evidence Iraq
developed and has deployed missiles that exceeded the 150 km limit set
by UN resolution.  But NBC says PM Tariq Aziz had already admitted as
much earlier in the week. In an interview the Iraqi PM said the
unguided missiles were not human beings, and some may have gone 10 km
further than they were intended to fly.  He denied Iraq was trying to
develop missiles with a range greater than the 150 km limit.
Elsewhere, the CIA has de-classified information that North Korea has
missiles capable of hitting the US West coast. Katie said the world
had become a "big fat mess". Must be that "new world order"!

London.  In a joint press conf Tony Blair and John Howard say evidence
of Iraqi "long-range" missiles would possibly be a breech of
Resolution 1441. Mr Blair seemed quite relieved UN weapons inspectors
had found a possible Iraqi violation of UN resolutions.  But both the
Brit PM and Mr Howard were careful to say the reports had so far not
been verified.  It would not just be a failure by Iraq to disclose
information, said Mr Blair, but would be a violation -- if true -- of
Resolution 1441.  Polls in the UK say 75% of Brits disapprove of the
way the US and UK are dealing with the standoff with Iraq.

Sydney. With revelations this wk that North Korea has long-range
missiles capable of reaching the US W coast, analysts in Aus point out
all of Australia is also threatened. Experts say there's increasing
evidence NK has 2 plutonium-based atomic warheads.  But they also
point out the long-range missiles mentioned in Congressional hearings
have not yet been tested or deployed by NK.

NY (NBC). Americans are becoming aware of an increasing level of
anti-American sentiment around the world. But NBC points out an
increasing level of anti-European sentiment is also coming out of
Capitol Hill. Colin Powell yesterday said the US had "saved" Germany
and France from WWII and, in effect, how could they forget that now?
Elsewhere, some US officials have called for trade sanctions against
EU, and France in particular, over European plans to thwart a US war
on Iraq.

NY (Ch 7, 6.30 am).  Wall St got some good news but traders didn't see
it.  With a couple of hrs to go, a big selloff is underway.  The Dow
is 124 pts down, falling below the 7800 level.  The Nasdaq is also
down 16 pts.  Retail sales for Jan were up 1.3%, better than expected.
But that was if you remove MV sales that were down 7% for the m.  News
Corp announced a $A230 mn profit for the qtr, and that was much better
than a huge loss in the same time last y.  But traders didn't like it
and News was sold down $US1.34 or 5%.  World's biggest insurer, prev
says they'd screwed up their estimate of workers' comp payouts, were
up 2% for exceeding earnings expectations.

NY (Ch 7).  SMOKING GUN! UN chief weapons inspector Hans Blix is in
NYC ahead of the 2nd report to be delivered tomorrow.  Observers say
the report is likely to be "harsh".  Overnight, inspectors say they've
found Iraqi missiles that exceed the UN mandated limit of 150 km.
Indep experts say the missiles can fly 24 mi (39 km) above the range
allowed by UN arms controls, up to 180 km.  Other reports say the
missile would not reach Israel.  Inspectors also suspect Iraq is
trying to develop even longer range weapons.
Iraqi PM Aziz was in Rome to talk with the Pope.  He told reporters it
wasn't a serious violation and called on the finding not to be
exaggerated.  The PM said the missiles were unguided and weren't a
dangerous thing.
Pres Bush, in Jacksonville, Fla with 1000s of sailors ready for
deployment in the Gulf, US Pres George Bush said Saddam's time had
come.  He said the enemy would be stopped by the might and will of the
United States.  This morning the Admin has been canvassing support for
a UN resolution saying the latest revelation proves Iraq has been
lying all along.
Aussie PM Howard renewed his calls for the UN to "act quickly" over
the finding.  Russian Pres Putin said he would use his veto power in
the UN Sec Council, if necessary.  Inspectors have continued their
work, with 7 more sites searched today. They are set to destroy
mustard gas and other shells left over from their interrupted search
program 4 ya.

NY.  With tomorrow's crucial UN Sec Council debate looming, key world
powers have lined up on opposing sides of the debate over war with
Iraq.  As Britain reiterated its unqualified support for US-led
military action against Baghdad to eliminate Iraqi WMD, France,
Germany and Russia have made it clear their opposition remains firm.
UN weapons inspectors will brief the Sec Council tomorrow with a
report that the US and Brit may use as justification for launching
strikes against Iraq.

Brussels.  NATO rep Yves Brodeur says the organisation has postponed a
formal meeting of its ambassadors to discuss a damaging crisis over
Iraq.  Brodeur says after consultations between countries, it's been
decided that it would be difficult to make progress in a formal
meeting.  He says informal talks will continue.  Brodeur says the a
formal meeting has been delayed until a later time, but may take place
tomorrow or next wk.

London. TERRORISTS!  3 terrorist suspects have been arrested at Brit
airports overnight.  The men were detained in connection with
terrorism under a heightened state of terror alert.  1 man was
arrested at Gatwick after arriving from S Am.  He was found to have a
live grenade in his luggage.  2 others, 1 of them an Iraqi, were
detained at Heathrow.  But police say it was a mistake, and they will
be released.  Flights at Gatwick were delayed for up to 3 hrs after
the grenade was found. Arrivals on the tarmac were not
disembarked. The terminal was evacuated. Travellers complained they
were told nothing. Critics say the incident highlighted a massive
security breech, with the grenade getting past security at Colombia
and into the hold of the BBC aircraft for the 11 hr flight to the UK.
It's now believed the incident is not be related to terrorism.

Sydney (7 am).  The All Ords is down 48 to 2820, despite good job news
yesterday.  Oil is down to $US33.11/bbl.  The AUD is higher at 59.61
US cents.

London. PM John Howard has wound up his trip to Britain after talks
with PM Tony Blair.  Mr Howard left London for Indonesia on the final
leg of his 3-nation trip to discuss the growing crisis in Iraq.  The
PM will arrive in Jakarta today and will have talks with Pres Megawati
on Sat. In Brit, Mr Howard praised Blair's leadership on Iraq and
urged the UN Security Council to produce a strong statement on Iraq.

Sydney. BACKLASH! Anti-war demonstrators say PM John Howard should
prepare himself for an electoral backlash as up to 200,000 Aussies
prepare for peace protests over the weekend.  International and
nationwide protests against the war on Iraq start today and will range
from prayer meetings to huge public marches.  Walk Against War
Coalition rep Bruce Childs says organisers can't keep up with the
demand for pamphlets and posters about the protest.  The first of the
international rallies will kick off in Melb at 5 pm today.

La Paz. Angry civilians in the Bolivian capital have joined striking
police in a protest that degenerated into riots, leaving at least 14
dead and govt buildings in flames.  The violence in La Paz began
yesterday when 7,000 striking police officers and civilian protesters
clashed with govt troops over a proposal by Pres Sanchez to raise
taxes on the nation's poor. Rioters set 7 buildings on fire, and
troops used rubber bullets and tear gas to battle the demonstrators.

Bogota. Colombian and US State Dept officials say a US govt plane
carrying 5 people has crashed in a jungle area in S Colombia
controlled by Marxist rebels and it's not known if anyone
survived. Civil aviation officials in Colombia say 4 American and 1
Colombian were aboard the plane, but State Dept rep Charles Barclay
says he can't confirm the nationalities and a search and rescue
mission is presently underway. The Cessna was apparently taking part
in a US-sponsored drug eradication mission in the province of Caqueta.

Washington.  Scientists have reported that Mars' poles are loaded
with frozen water trapped under a crust of dry ice.  While it's long
been suspected that Mars had water locked beneath the surface, this is
the first confirmation.  Even frozen water is an important
consideration for further manned exploration of the planet.  Surface
features on the planet are similar to channels and river valleys,
indicating the Red Planet once may have been warm and wet enough to
sustain liquid water, and therefore allow the possibility it had life.

Jerusalem.  The Israeli army says a rocket-propelled grenade exploded
during training class for infantry troops, injuring 24 soldiers, 3 of
them seriously. The military says the grenade exploded inside a
classroom on a base on the Golan Heights.  The injured soldiers have
been evacuated to nearby hospitals by helicopter. The military says a
committee headed by Israel's N front military cmdr, Maj Gen Benny
Ganz, and a military policy unit will investigate the accident.

Ramallah.  Snr Palestinian officials say Yassar Arafat has agreed in
principle to appointing a PM in response to international pressure for
the reform of the Palestinian Authority.  One snr official says Arafat
agreed to the appointment in-principle when the Palestinian state is
formed and the constitution approved.  A diplomatic official says
Arafat met on Tue with EU, UN and Russian envoys who urged him to take
bold and decisive steps in reforming his administration.

Canberra.  JAB, JAB! The chief of the Navy has sought to reassure
sailors about the anthrax vaccine with a message to all under his
command.  Vic Adml Chris Ritchie told sailors the vaccine is part of
the Navy's efforts to keep them safe while serving in the Persian
Gulf.  At least 11 seamen have refused the inoculations.  He says that
people who feel they are being pressured into taking the vaccine
should advise their commanding officer.

Sydney. CRIMINALS! Police in Syd have quickly recaptured 2 of 5 asylum
seekers who escaped from the Villawood prison this morning. Imm Dept
officials and detention centre management confirmed the number of
escapees was 5, despite earlier reports 9 had broken out and 6
recaptured.  The 5 men, all from China, are believed to have escaped
after cutting a hole in the perimeter fence shortly after 7 am.  It's
understood all had visa applications rejected.  The Dept says a
security guard was based during the breakout and is recovering in
hospital.

Brisbane.  NO, NOT THE OIL! Motoring organisation the RACQ has renewed
calls for Australia's consumer watchdog to investigate recent hikes in
Qld's petrol prices.  RACQ gen mgr of external affairs Gary Fites says
the ACCC should investigate why drivers are paying around 3 c/L more
than they should be.  He says prices are hitting up to 97 c/L in many
parts of S Qld, about the same cost as in Nov 2002 when the price of
crude oil per bbl was much higher than today.

Melbourne. Oil hit $US36.60/bbl around midday. Melb motorists were
already complaining that petrol is $1.03/L. Rumours of convoys up to
Qld for their cheap, subsidised country gas are exaggerated.

========================================

(*) Who is responcible for W.A.R.S?  A small group of dedicated
sandgrubbers, bannana-lickers and 5th columnists on the run from
support payments and sundry legalese in their home countries. Mention
us at any Uncle Harry's Suburban Bunker and get a 10% discount on cop-killers!

All speling macroizated for correctitood by Mcrosotf Speelchek.

*** Your rubber gloves will be needed in the next 24 hours! ***