From the World-Wide Resourses of the Western Australia
Reserch Senter(*)
		OIL THE NEWS THAT FITS MY VIEWS
                ===============================
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).

Visit Our Home Page At:
http://www.chickenhead.com/loserscopes/0103.asp

Kindly Archived At:
http://www.kymhorsell.com/BOZO/archives/

See the Undeniable Evidence At:
http://www.evil-doers.org/evidence

------------------------------------------------------------
Selecting latest news stories and other data for you...
------------------------------------------------------------

I'm proud to work with [John Howard] on behalf
of a peaceful world and freer society.
        -- Pres George W Bush Jr, 14 Feb 2003

We come in peace... Shoot to kill!
        -- Capt James T Kirk, "Star Trekking".

----------------------------------------
THEY STILL RITE BOOKS, DUN THEY?
"Alamein: war without hate", J. Bierman and C. Smith, Viking.
Attention 21st Century warmakers!  El Alamein is one of the
battlefields with particular resonance in Australia. A major
turning-point in WWII, it was the first battle to give Hilter's forces
a thumping. The thesis of this in-depth study is the battle was
conducted without hatred and almost universally according to Geneva
rules.  There were no war crimes, no murders, no rapes, no
mistreatment of prisoners, and because of its desert location, almost
no civilian "collateral damage".  The authors credit much to the
leadership of the armies, esp. one D. Fox, AKA Gen. Erwin Rommel.  The
German chief was a professional soldier who waged war with no more
hatred for the "other side" than a footy capt for the opposition.
Unless they're Collingwood.  "Alamein" is haunting and often moving.
The book is clear, and presents vivid portraits of Monty and Rommel.

----------------------------------------
Mark these terrorific dates in your diaries. Or else!
16 Feb. Stephen Decatur burns US frigate in Tripoli, 1804.
        Nylon patented, 1937.
        Makha Bucha Day in Thailand.
17 Feb. T J Watson Sr born, 1874. Later kills H. Hollerith to found IBM.
18 Feb. Pluto discovered, 1930. Mickey discovered 20 y later.
19 Feb. Nicolas Copernicus born, 1473.
        US Marines land on Iwo Jima, 1945.
20 Feb. Ludwig Boltzmann born, 1844. Later invents First Law of lab
        work: hot glass looks just like cold glass.
        Sen. John Glenn orbits the Earth 3 times; gets dizzy, 1962.
21 Feb. Battle of Verdun begins; 1 mn casualties, 1916.
        Malcom X shot to death in Harlem, 1965.
        Strike on Baghdad, 2003?
22 Feb. George Washington born, 1732. Famous for cutting down cherry
        tree to make false teeth.  "I didn't do it" he later told
        Congressional hearings. Much later, changed name and wrote
        popular Fox cartoon series.

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

Washington. GROUND WAR BEGUN!  US special forces are already operating
in various parts of Iraq, hunting for weapons sites, establishing
communications, and seeking out Iraqi defectors in what amounts to the
initial phase of a US ground war, say US experts and defence
officials.  The troops, comprising 2 special op taskforces with an
unknown number of personnel, have been in and out of Iraq for well
over a month, according to military officials.  They have been laying
the groundwork for conventional US forces that could quickly seize
large portions of Iraq if Pres Bush gives a formal order to go to war.
The strategy points to a radically different campaign from the 1991
Gulf War that began with a massive air assault on Baghdad. Iraq II
envisions a series of ground actions aimed at grabbing territory and
encircling Saddam before the air campaign starts.

NY. UN SABOTAGE!  CIA dir George Tenet has faced a storm of criticism
from Senate Democrats on the Armed Services Committee who accuse the
Admin of sabotaging the UN weapons inspection process by not fully
co-operating with inspectors.  They also accuse Mr Tenet of misleading
them about intel on Iraqi weapons that the CIA *had* handed over to
the UN.  Giving evidence to the committee on Tue, Tenet surprised
senators saying the agency had given inspectors all the data it had on
weapons sites of high and moderate interest, sites likely to contain
weapons or remnants of weapons.  On Wed, Mr Tenet told senators he
might have been wrong.  A "handful of sites... might not have been
known" to the UN, he said. Chief inspectors Blix and ElBaradei had
pressed the Admin for any weapons intel it had.  But material
presented to the Security Council by Colin Powell had apparently not
been included in the good package. Inspectors had also complained
about the "quality" of some of the US intel.

P'yongyang.  NK EMBRACES BUSH DOCTRINE! North Korea has warned it can
strike US targets anywhere in the world after the UN's nuclear
watchdog referred it to the Sec Council.  As pressure mounted today on
the country regarded by the US as a "rouge" under the Bush Doctrine,
snr foreign ministry official Ri Kwang Hyok issued the warning. He
says as part of self-defence, attacks can be taken to all military
personnel and all military commands of the US in the world, wherever
they are.  In related reports, Leader Kim Jong Il is celebrating his
61st over the weekend. Russia sent a couple of white horses air
delivery.

Melbourne. WAR TOYS R US! The Avalon air show opens to the public
today amid the tightest security in its history.  Organisers are
concerned the dozens of military jets could be the target of sabotage
or other terrorist attack. Military aircraft including the world's
most modern fighters and bombers will be on display at Avalon, SW of
MEL today and over the weekend. Machines civil and military from over
40 countries will be shown, and 210,000 people are expected.  The
biennial event was opened last Mon, but has been running as a trade
show for insiders until today.  Often presented just as entertainment
for the general public, the Airshow is mostly about business.  About
35,000 industry, military & govt officials were expected to attend the
show during the week, talking turkey over defence planning and
equipment purchases.  "Making connections is important", said one
company man.  We can "make the public and govt aware of our products",
said another.  A small Aussie company said they'd managed to sign up
the US Dept of Homeland Security to buy their light aircraft for duty
over America.  At the other end of the scale is a B1 bomber.  With an
up-front cost of $1.1 bn each, siblings are presently stationed around
Iraq.  It "delivers a lot of weight on the target", said the pilot.
But war isn't all bad news, say economists.  Aussie govt war preps
for Iraq will generate $700 mn in spending by Jun, said Access
Economics.  Most of that money "will come back to Australia in one way
or another", said a rep. I think he meant in a *good* sense.

Bagram. The US says its aircraft have carried out more raids on
suspected militant hideouts in Afghanistan and says it is not aware of
any civilian casualties.  A rep for the govt of Helmand province
yesterday said at least 17 civilians had been killed in bombing since
Sun, mainly women and children.  US Army rep Col Roger King said he was
not aware of civilian deaths in connection with operation Eagle Fury.

PM says "endgame" approaching for Iraq
London.  PM John Howard has warned that the endgame with Iraq is
approaching.  Speaking in London with British counterpart Tony Blair,
Mr Howard has described revelations that Iraqi missiles may exceed the
range permitted by the UN as very serious.  Both PM's declared that if
reports the missiles exceeded their permitted range are true, it is
yet more evidence of what Mr Howard calls Saddam Hussein's evasion and
trickery.  Mr Howard agrees time is running out for Iraq.  "We are
approaching the endgame, that's right, and it's important that Iraq
understands that," he said.  Despite China joining Russia and France
as Sec Council members who might veto a resolution authorising war, Mr
Howard still thinks one is possible.  "I think there's still a strong
possibility of achieving that," he said.  Mr Howard says this is his
most difficult time as PM.

Jakarta. INDOS BACK FROGS! Just as Aussie PM John Howard arrived on the
last leg of his round-the-world "timetable" trip, Indonesia has come
out in support of a French-led proposal to beef up UN inspections in
Iraq to avoid a US-led attack. Indonesia's Foreign Ministry says
strengthening the inspection team will show that the world is serious
about addressing the Iraq crisis in an effective but peaceful way.
France has started circulating detailed proposals, backed by Russia,
Germany and China, aimed at strengthening the inspection process in
Iraq as an alternative to war.

Melbourne.  PEACENIKS MARCH! Anti-war protesters marched through city
streets this evening, ahead of a series of protests over the weekend
aimed at attracting the attention of govt MP's.  The
bigger-than-expected crowd brought traffic to a standstill in the CBD.
Organisers were planning for 50,000, but early reports said twice that
number marched to Federation Square to hear anti-war speakers.
Official estimates later put the final crowd at 150,000.
Demonstrators carried signs calling for "No War" on Iraq.  Others
complained of an "Oil Grab" by a Mr Bush.  Every demographic was
represented. Old peaceniks from the Vietnam era.  War was "a thing of
the past", one told reporters.  Mums and dads.  The young worried
about the future.  Politicians. Religious leaders. Charity groups.
Someone even thought they saw the ghost of Jimbo Cairns. The crowd was
addressed by numerous speakers, all expressing what they said was a
majority view against war in general, and the US-led strike on Iraq in
particular.  Organisers hope the crowd will be repeated over the
weekend in similar demos across the nation and more in MEL.  It was "a
huge statement", Bob Green told the crowd.  Meanwhile, in Perth
anti-war protesters staged a mock funeral procession to send their
message to CBR.

Powell to challenge France, Germany at UN
Florida.  US Secretary of State Colin Powell says he plans to
challenge, at the UN, the motives of France and Germany for trying to
delay military action against Iraq.  His uncompromising approach was
backed by Pres Bush, who told a military audience he hopes the UN Sec
Council will show some backbone.  Mr Powell told a congressional
committee he would take time tomorrow at the Sec Council meeting to
ask France and Germany whether they were opposing war with Saddam
Hussein in order to get him off the hook.  Such blunt language from
the Bush Admin's most diplomatic snr representative is a sign the
Americans are intending to try to embarrass the Germans and the
French, suggesting that their position is not based merely on a
principled opposition to war.  The Pres told his audience at a navy
base in Florida the Iraqi leader was not disarming, and the UN had a
decision to make.  German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has vowed he
will fight to prevent war in Iraq, and says a majority of UN Sec
Council members back his view.  "The German Government is together
with France, Russia and China and several other countries [and] is
expressly not of this opinion that there is no peaceful alternative,"
he said.  "There is... [an alternative] and we fight to realise this."

Ruddock says NSW authorities to blame for detention jail violence
Canberra.  Imm Min Philip Ruddock has blamed NSW authorities for
growing violence in detention centres after a guard was bashed during
a break-out from Villawood in SYD's SW.  Police say 2 of the 5 men
from China who cut through a fence to escape have been recaptured and
will be interviewed by fed police.  Mr Ruddock has expressed his
concern about violence in detention centres.  "I think we are dealing
with now a population that doesn't see it as particularly out of the
order to bash detention officers and to abscond," he said.  He says
the violence stems from a failure by police to charge detainees who
assault staff, and a state decision to no longer transfer to jail
detainees who have behavioural problems.  Mr Ruddock says the 5 had
overstayed their visas and were due to be deported.  They were not
asylum seekers but "dangerous criminals awaiting deportation", he
said.  A police search is continuing for the other 3 detainees.  About
30 police officers, the dog squad and a police helicopter are
searching for the detainees who were spotted heading towards a nearby
train station.

Stocks Drop Again on War, Attack Fears
NY.  Stocks closed lower for the third-straight session on Thu, after
a short rally failed to gain traction amid widespread fears of a
possible Middle East war or a potential attack on the US.  Stocks came
off the day's lows in late afternoon as some investors took a chance
on recently battered stocks, but worries of potential conflict with
Iraq won the day.  "It's scary and unsettling," said John Orrico,
mgr of the Arbitrage Fund. "People are focused on the risks
associated with a terror attack and there are worries that people will
stay at home to wait this out, not do as much shopping, and that will
affect the economy."  The Dow Jones indl average closed down 8.3
points, or 0.11%, at 7,749.87. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 Index
was down 1.31 points, or 0.16%, at 817.37. The technology-laced Nasdaq
Composite Index was down 1.53 points, or 0.12 percent, at 1,277.44.
Jitters about a strike by al Qaeda, blamed for the attacks of Sep
11, 2001, also weighed following last wk's warning from the US govt
that there was a heightened risk for an assault on "soft" targets such
as hotels.

Bank of America fires 1/2 Japan staff
Tokyo.  Bank of America, the Number 3 US bank, has sacked 1/2 its
staff in Japan, where it's operated for 53 y, saying business won't
recover soon in an economy that has seen 3 recessions in the past 10 y.
The cuts will leave the bank with 110 people in Tokyo and 2,000 in Asia
said rep Susan Beard. No job cuts were planned outside Japan, she
said.  The bank got rid of 8,726 jobs in 2002 and wants to cut
expenses by $US1 bn pa because the stalled US economy is eroding
demand for loans and stock & bond sales.  Securities firms in Japan
cut 7,400 jobs last y, retreating from a stock market that had lost
3/4 of its value since 1990.  BoA would move FX trading to Singapore,
Ms Beard said.

Brisbane. ANZ FINED! A court has ordered the ANZ Bank to pay fines and
compensation for credit law breaches.  Justice Ken Mackenzie in the
Qld Supreme Court found the bank should pay $686,000 as a civil
penalty and more than $40,000 in compensation to consumers.  The
penalties are for breaching laws covering personal contracts from the
late 1980s to 1996.  The ANZ has been found to have breached more than
47,000 personal contracts in Qld.

Sydney (11 pm).  The All Ords closed down 16 pts.  But the AUD briefly
went to new highs. At 11pm it was 59.36 US cents.  Experts said a
renewed aversion to USD pushed the AUD up 1 c.  Gold was $US356.50/oz.
Oil was at 2.5 y highs and over $US36/bbl.  With the Blix report
coming up in 2.5 hrs the only thing on the minds of investors was to
avoid risk.  The situation was complicated by the US long weekend.

Put Cloth on Mouth, Wash Hands if Attacked
Washington.  The US govt first urged Americans to seal a room with
duct tape and plastic sheets. Now it says people should cover their
mouths with a cloth and wash their hands to cut down on further
contamination from a chem, bio or nuclear attack.  The
latest recommendation came in an information bulletin from the FBI's
National Infrastructure Protection Center warning of the threat from
al Qaeda of a possible mass-casualty chem, bio,
radiological or nuclear attack.  The bulletin, dated Feb 12 and posted
on its Web site also recommended "basic countermeasures."  "Most
(chem, bio, radiological and nuclear) threats represent an
inhalation or contact hazard," according to the bulletin.  "To
minimise further contamination, individuals who come in contact with
an unusual substance should cover their mouths with a cloth while
leaving the area, avoid touching surfaces, and wash their hands
thoroughly," it said.  With a possible war with Iraq looming and the
US govt having raised the threat level of terror attacks based on
intel reports, US authorities on Mon recommended that every
American home have at least 3 days' worth of food and water in case of
a chem, bio or radiological strike.  Officials of the new
US Dept of Homeland Security also said families should designate
a room where they could gather in the event of such an attack and have
duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal it.  The recommendations have
generated plenty of anxiety as well as some ridicule as Americans
flock to hardware and office supply stores to buy the items -- just in case.

Illegal radioactives sent back to Poland
Minsk.  Belarus authorities on Wed sent back to Poland a railroad car
that was emitting a high level of radiation, a rep for the
customs service said.  Vladimir Pekhterev said the car arrived in
Belarus on Fri en route to Kazakhstan, and was found to be emitting
radiation of 120 microroentgens an hour, about 6 times higher than the
allowed level.  He said the shipment's transit documents ID-ed
the contents as potassium hydroxide, a highly caustic but
non-radioactive material.  He did not specify whether the contents of
the shipment were ID-ed, nor would he say what company had
originated the shipment or its destination.  The illegal movement of
radioactive material in Eastern Europe and the former SU has been a
problem of wide concern since tight controls frayed with the fall of
communism.

Ebola outbreak claims 51 in Congo
Switzerland.  Congolese Health Min Alain Moka says an outbreak of
Ebola in the country's NW has claimed at least 51 lives since
mid-Jan.  Alain Moka says the highly contagious fever has broken out
in a densely forested region, close to the central African country's
border with Gabon.  Ebola can kill more than 90 per cent of people who
contract the disease.

Govt had info about Oklahoma City attack weeks before
Washington.  A fed informant warns that white separatists in
Oklahoma are threatening "assassinations, bombings and mass
shootings." The FBI secretly interviews a witness familiar with a plot
to blow up the Alfred P. Murrah fed building. Other agents learn
of a book being circulated that promotes a truck bombing of a govt
building.  The US govt obtained all of this intel before
Timothy McVeigh detonated his truck bomb in 1995, but officials did
not warn fed buildings mgrs in Oklahoma, according to govt
documents that detail miscommunications similar to those in the
pre-Sep 11 intel failures.  "It is the lack of coordination
-- intel going one way, and then going into a black hole," said
Robert Sanders, a former top law enforcement official who reviewed
documents obtained by The Associated Press.  Those documents show 2
separate fed law enforcement agencies had information before the
1995 Oklahoma City bombing that suggested white supremacists living
nearby were considering an attack on govt buildings.  In fact,
officials at FBI headquarters in Washington were so worried that white
separatists at the Elohim City compound in Muldrow, Oklahoma, might
lash out on April 19, 1995 -- the day Timothy McVeigh chose -- that a
m earlier they questioned a reformed white supremacist familiar with
an earlier plot to bomb the same Murrah Building that McVeigh
selected.

Washington. NASA says the remains of all 7 Columbia heroes have been
ID-ed. Dir of flight crew operations at the Johnson Space Center,
Houston, says the NASA family has drawn some comfort from the news.
The bodies of Rick Husband, Willie McCool, Michael Anderson, David
Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark and Ilan Ramon were ID-ed through
DNA testing at Dover AFB in DE.

Hot Plasma May Have Invaded Shuttle
Washington.  The extreme heat observed on the shuttle Columbia's left
side during its fatal re-entry could have been caused by hot plasma
penetrating the craft's wheel well, independent investigators said on
Thu.  Plasma is the super-heated gas that surrounded the shuttle as it
streaked toward a landing at Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 1. Plasma
typically envelops a fast-descending space shuttle, but this time,
preliminary analysis indicates it may have gotten inside the
spacecraft's protective surface.  "Preliminary analysis by a NASA
working group this wk indicates that the temperature indications seen
in Columbia's left wheel well during entry would require the presence
of plasma," the Columbia Accident Investigation Board said in a
statement forwarded by NASA.  However, the board said the heat was so
excessive that it could not have been caused by the absence of just
one missing tile in the last minutes of flight.  This is significant
since questions have centred on the possibility that some of
Columbia's heat-shielding tiles were knocked off by a piece of foam
insulation that fell off the shuttle's external fuel tank about 80
seconds after launch, apparently striking the left wing.  The board
said investigators were looking at other ways the shuttle's skin might
have been breached to let plasma into the wheel well area or elsewhere
in the wing.  They also discounted fears that a problem with the
landing gear on the left side of the spacecraft might have caused the
shuttle to disintegrate over Texas, as a NASA engineer suggested in an
e-mail 2 days before the shuttle's demise.

Department labels human shields "foolish"
Canberra.  A snr Foreign Affairs official says people who offer
themselves as human shields in Iraq are foolish and the dept probably
will not be able to do much to help them.  Rod Smith has told a senate
estimates hearing he has seen media reports about one Australian who
has gone to Iraq as a human shield.  But he says that person has not
contacted the Foreign Affairs Dept and it would probably be too late
to do so after any military attack begins.  "If for example they
changed their mind and said I'm sorry I made a terrible mistake, get
me out, then we would obviously do what we could to get the individual
out," he said.  "But it has to be understood that our ability to
assist in those circumstances would be very very limited, and that's a
point I think that we need to reinforce, that if there is conflict our
ability to help people in Iraq in particular is very limited."
A former political adviser to the NSW govt, Donna Mulhearn, is
reportedly on her way to join other so-called human shields in Iraq
opposing the war.  The human shield project has been organised by
anti-war organisation Become The Change.

Scully denies misleading public over train engine
Sydney.  NSW Transp Min Carl Scully denies he has misled the public by
only revealing yesterday the reports that the ill-fated train that
derailed killing 7 near Waterfall had engine failures weeks before the
accident.  Mr Scully says the complaints about power failures were
checked by mechanics who could not identify a problem.  But he
maintains there were no reports that the train had previously surged
ahead when the brakes were applied.  "Immediately after the accident,
probably the day or 2 after, I relied on advice which I repeated,
subsequent to that, the media made an inquiry about an allegation of a
surging engine around Jan," he said.  "I sought advice and was advised
they have no record of any such complaint, quite the contrary it was
about a power problem with the motor and mechanics found nothing wrong
with it."  State Opposition leader John Brogden says 3 separate
drivers had reported defects, one complaining of a braking-surging
problem.  Public hearings begin today into the circumstances
surrounding the tragedy.

Govt Warns Industries of Terror Attacks
Washington.  Police carrying semiautomatic rifles patrolled the
grounds of the Capitol on Thu, and the govt warned key industries and
utilities to beware of employees who might have been planted by
Al Qaeda or other terrorist groups.  The security measures were the
latest to emerge since the nation went on high alert for possible
terrorist attacks last wk. The orange level is the 2nd-highest in a
5-point, colour-coded scale that would be topped only by a red alert
that meant an attack was imminent or under way.  There are no plans to
raise the threat level, Justice Dept officials said.
US counterterrorism officials said they are continuing to gather
intel but have no specific information as to targets or methods
for a terrorist strike.  Authorities have said they are worried about
attacks timed to coincide with the hajj, a Muslim holy period that
ended Thu, or the beginning of a war with Iraq.  Tension in the
capital has risen, underscored by the officers carrying rifles in the
Capitol complex and the deployment of antiaircraft missile batteries
around the city. Other steps were being taken outside public
notice. "They will be seen, they will not be seen. Some will never be
known, but took place," White House rep Ari Fleischer said.
Members of Congress were told to gather a "go bag" of supplies,
sensitive documents and a laminated list of key phone numbers in case
of an attack, while staff members were given training this wk on how
to handle "escape hoods" that protect against bio or chem
substances. Rep. Bob Ney said lawmakers were also instructed to keep a
low profile, removing vanity license plates from vehicles and varying
their routines.  "Everyone in this structure has remained calm but
cautious," said Ney, chairman of the House Administration
Committee. "There is not a panic situation here."
The FBI and the National Infrastructure Protection Center issued a
bulletin Wed to companies involved in such industries as
telecommunications, energy, and banking and finance, as well as
operators of water systems and electric utilities, law enforcement
agencies and emergency services.  Officials believe Al Qaeda could
target these entities with chem, bio or radiological
attacks. Such an attack, officials say, could prompt terror and mass
casualties and also disrupt the regional or national economy.  Of
particular concern is the "dirty bomb," a crude, easy-to-make device
that would spew radioactive material over a wide area.  Industry
officials should check out their employees in an effort to root out
any terrorists who may have been working there for y, waiting for the
signal to strike. AL Qaeda's mode of operation is patience, sometimes
taking y to plan an attack -- as it did for those that occurred on
Sep 11, 2001.  "Operatives will likely research potential targets
extensively prior to an attack," the bulletin said. "Planning may
begin months or years before an actual terrorist attack."

US, UN Agree: Washington to Care for Post-War Iraq
NY.  US and UN officials agreed on Thu that in case of war against
Iraq, the US -- as the occupying power -- would initially have
responsibility for the care and feeding of the Iraqi people.  The US
has outlined plans for a 2-y military occupation of Iraq in the event
of an invasion, and would use Iraqi oil revenues to pay the costs of
the Iraqi people's needs.  International aid workers in Iraq likely
would be pulled out of the country ahead of an attack but the US would
be expected to quickly invite relief groups back in as areas were
secured by the military, US officials said.  The military would be
obliged to take care of ordinary Iraqis under the 1944 Geneva
Convention on civilian rights in wartime, said Kenzo Oshima, the UN
emergency relief coordinator.  "An occupying power must permit
civilians to live a normal life ...  and ensure the requirements of
food and supplies to the civilian population," Oshima told a news
conference.  He briefed reporters after UN Secretary-General Kofi
Annan met Sec Council diplomats to discuss plans for what many UN
officials refer to as "the morning after" in Iraq.  Both the UN and
the US have been working for m on plans for dealing with Iraq's
hungry, wounded and homeless in the event of war.  But UN officials
have been hesitant to discuss the moves publicly for fear they might
make it seem war was inevitable.  The UN disclosed on Thu that it was
also looking at a possible role in rebuilding a post-war Iraq.  A new
UN task force on Iraqi reconstruction, led by Rafeeuddin Ahmed, a
Pakistani national and former associate administrator of the UN
Development Program, has been set up to deal with the devastation
caused by a possible war.  Mark Malloch Brown, head of the UN
Development Program, said recently that rebuilding Iraq could cost up
to $30 billion over 3 y and eventually soar to up to $100 billion.
Both Washington and UN agencies, working with private aid and
humanitarian agencies, began m ago to solicit funds and move food and
supplies to countries bordering Iraq.  The US has so far committed $18
million to planning, much of it in the form of donations to UN
agencies such as the World Food Program. US Ambassador John Negroponte
said on Thu Washington would provide another $40 million for such
planning.  US humanitarian groups, however, called the Bush Admin's
planning inadequate and complained it would not make a commitment to
help civilians in the event Baghdad used chem or bio weapons.

More bleaching threatens Top End reefs
Brisbane.  The Australian Institute of Marine Science says the
recovery of coral reefs to the NW of Darwin from bleaching 4 y
ago could be jeopardised because of further bleaching recently.  The
institute's research scientist Mark Meekan flew over the Ashmore,
Cartier and Scott reefs 10 days ago to try and identify any new coral
bleaching.  Dr Meekan says the last major bleaching event in 1998
killed up to 90 per cent of the coral.  "The corals will take up to 10
y to recover," he said.  "The small corals are susceptible to
bleaching too, and if we get a lot of bleaching events following the
major one we had in 1998, then we're concerned that all the recovering
corals are going to get knocked on the head again... and we're not
going to see much recovery of those coral reefs."

US businesses pledge to help deal with climate change
Washington.  A wide range of businesses, from automakers to paper
mills, pledged to improve efficiency and find other ways to help
curtail the growth of climate-changing gases.  The pledges "are a
first step in what we expect to be an ongoing engagement" with the
private sector to address climate change, Pres Bush
said in a statement Wed.  The Bush Admin acknowledged that the climate
plan, unveiled last y, will not reduce the amount of CO2
and other greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere. Relying on
voluntary measures by indy, it will only curtail emission growth.
The Bush plan calls for the "carbon intensity" -- the amount of
greenhouse gases released as a percentage of economic growth -- to be
reduced by 18% by 2012, or about 1.5% pa. That's
about the same rate of reduction in carbon intensity that has occurred
over the past 12 y, according to a recent Energy Dept
analysis.  To help achieve the goal, indy representatives promised
to accelerate programs aimed at curtailing the amount of greenhouse
gases -- predominantly CO2 from burning fossil fuels --
that will be released.  Environmentalists said there's no assurance
any of the reductions will be made. In any case, they said, the amount
of greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere will continue to
increase. A recent analysis by the Energy Information Administration
concluded that even if carbon intensity is cut by 1.5% pa,
carbon emissions will still grow about 1.5% pa because of
expected economic growth.

Drought may continue warns Govt
Canberra.  The Federal Govt is not optimistic the drought will
end soon.  The deputy PM, John Anderson, says the best hope for rain
is at the end of March, but has warned farmers they need to be
realistic about the chances of the drought breaking.  Mr Anderson told
Parliament new forecasts from the Bureau of Met for the next
few m is very concerning.  "Their estimates are 50 to 65 per cent
chance of more than median rain in the south-west half of Australia
over the next three months," he said.  "The rest of the country has
less than a 50 per cent chance of higher than median rainfall."

Fitness May Prevent Cancer Deaths Among Men
NY.  Staying fit and trim may do more than keep your heart healthy,
researchers report. It could also reduce your risk of dying from
cancer.  In a 25-y study, men who were most fit at the start of the
study were less likely to die from cancer. And women who were
overweight when the study began were at higher risk of dying from
cancer.  "The current recommendations from the American Cancer Society
emphasise a physically active lifestyle and the prevention of
overweight/obesity," the study's lead author, Dr.  Kelly R. Evenson,
told Reuters Health. "Our results support those recommendations."
Evenson and her team examined the relationship between fitness and
obesity and the risk of dying from all types of cancer.  Evenson, who
is at the Uni of NC at Chapel Hill, said that "it would be nice in
future studies if we could examine the relationship of fitness and
obesity on certain types of cancers, such as breast cancer."  The
findings are published in the Feb issue of the journal Medicine and
Science in Sports and Exercise.

Record Number of Cancer Cases Predicted
NY.  The number of new US cancer cases is expected to increase 3.8%,
to a record 1.33 million this y, but the death rates for the top 4
killer cancers will decline, the American Cancer Society predicts.
Cancer deaths will rise slightly this y, to 556,500 from 555,500 last
y, but the increase reflects the aging of the population, the cancer
society says in its annual Cancer Facts & Figures report.  The 5-y
survival rate for all cancers except non-melanoma skin cancer and most
non-invasive cancers is expected to be 62% -- the same as last y, the
report says.  Death rates, however, will decline for lung, breast,
colon and prostate cancer, according to the report.  Lung cancer, the
top cancer killer, is expected to claim 157,200 lives this y;
colorectal cancer, 57,100; breast cancer, 39,800; and prostate cancer,
28,900. The society predicts new cases of lung cancer in 2003 will
total 171,900; colorectal cancer, 147,500; breast cancer, 211,300; and
prostate cancer, 220,900.  Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death in
America behind heart disease, accounting for one in every 4 deaths and
claiming more than 1,500 lives a day, the cancer society says.  For
blacks, the cancer death rate is about 30% higher than that of white,
and prostate cancer death rates are more than twice as high in black
men, the cancer society says.  Dr. Michael Thun, vice president for
epidemiology and surveillance research at the cancer society, says
poverty and lack of access to health care contributed to higher cancer
rates among blacks.

----------------------------------------
15 Feb 2003.

Canberra. PLAN TO CUT VETS PAYMENTS!  A proposal to "restructure"
compensation to war veterans has sparked concerns that people hurt in
battle face a large loss of income once they hit 65.  The review of
veterans' entitlements had also re-ignited debate of who should get
full benefits of the Gold Card scheme, a past pillar of the
compensation package.  At the heart of the debate is what constitutes
"qualifying service" under the Veterans' Entitlement Act 1986, and
whether it should be restricted to those who directly fought enemy
forces.  Graham Walker of the Vietnam Veterans Federation, said that
under the complex proposal, totally and permanently disabled veterans
would face a "substantial drop" in their economic loss compensation
after age 65.  Mr Walker said while family costs may go down as vets
age, their disabilities get worse and their expenses increase.

Canberra. JABS FOR EVERYONE!  The Fed Govt was forced to offer embassy
staff in the Middle East anthrax shots after it was revealed they had
not been given the same protection as service personnel sent to the
Persian Gulf.  The offer came as Defence Chief Gen Peter Cosgrove
sidestepped questions about reports that 40 Aussie troops has refused
the inoculations. "The numbers are coming down", the Gen told Ch
9. "I've heard an estimate elsewhere today that it was 40. I think
that's on the high side but we're still working with a number of
people who have expressed concerns and we're seeking to...  explain
what the issues are", he said.  The For Af Dept says the risk of chem
or bio attack to embassy staff is believed to be "low".  But after
questioning in a Senate budget estimates hearing, the Dept's Iraq
taskforce head, Bill Paterson, said staff would be offered the jabs
"immediately".

Bolivia (SBS).  STUDENTS SUPPORT COPS! Police and supporters marched
today while 9 police officers were laid to rest.  They had been shot
by the Army when they took the side of student protesters over a
proposed tax hike.  10,000 marched to support the police.  Lions will
be laying down with lambs tomorrow.

Sydney (The Age).  FREEFALL! The local sharemarket continued in
freefall yesterday as war fears gripped an already troubled market.
For the 3rd day in a row, the numbers established a new 3 y lows.  The
All Ords fell 16 pts to 2804, a 3.5 y low, while the ASX200 fell to
2817, its lowest level since its inception in Apr 2000.  The banking
sector had another bad day.  AMP again proved a disappointment,
falling to a new all-time low at $7.92.  Gold bounced back $US6 as the
threat of war loomed.

Tokyo. JAPAN TELLS NK! Japan has warned North Korea that it's prepared
to launch a strike against the Communist country if it believes an attack is
being prepared. In Tokyo's most robust military stance since WWII, Def
Min Shigeru Ishiba said Japan would be prepared to strike if it
detected NK was fuelling ballistic missiles in preparation for an
attack.  "It is too late if [a missile] flies towards Japan", Mr
Ishiba said.  "Our nation will use military force as a self-defence
measure if [NK] starts to resort to arms against Japan".  Mr Japan
was at pains to portray Japan as acting only in self-defence, in line
with its post-WWII Constitution that forbids military aggression.

Jerusalem. SHARON EXPLODES!  Israel accused Belgium of anti-Semitism
yesterday after a court ruling that could lead to the prosecution of
the Israeli PM on war crimes.  The Belgian Supreme Court ruled on Wed
that Israeli military commanders could be prosecuted for complicity in
the massacre by Lebanese Christian militia of 800 Palestinian
prisoners in 1982. For Min BB Netanyahu summoned the Belgian Amb on
Thu and told him the Court had committed "blood libel" against the
Jewish people.  BB also ordered Israel's ambassador back from Brussels
for consultations. Justice Min Sheetrit said Belgium -- Israel's
2nd-largest trading partner -- was a "small and insignificant"
country. A leading rabbi accused Belgium of standing by while "Jewish
blood was split like water".

NY (NBC).  FIFTH COLUMN! Amid a continuing orange alert, the FBI says
it's had 12 men under surveillance for months.  Authorities also
estimate up to 1,000 Al Qaeda sympathisers could be living in the USA
at this time, with 10-20 in communication with Al Qaeda leaders O/S.

NY (NBC).  BIG FAT MESS! Just before UN weapons inspectors report back
to the UN, the US says the range of the Al-Samoud 2 missile is a
"material breach" of UN resolutions.  But France says the fact Iraqi
officials made the weapon available for inspection proves they are
co-operating with the UN.  "The worst thing for us would be for Blix
to ask for more time", said one US official.  Observers say the US
should move formally now to say that Iraq is material breach of UN
resolutions, and to get a new resolution authorising the use of force.
Elsewhere, North Korea continues to threaten military action of its
own.  "North Korea is always blustering", said one US official.  It
was "trying to get new bargaining chips", he said.  North Korea has
called for direct talks with the US to discuss all issues, including
the re-activation of its suspect nuclear program.  The Admin has
previously rejected talks outright.  A US official today claimed it
was a matter of diplomatic courtesy.  The talks aren't happening until
the S Korean Pres settles into office. Direct talks between the US and
the North might be seen as a slap in the face to the US allies.

UN. BLIX REPORT! In his crucial report to the UN, chief weapons
inspector Hans Blix said Iraq has failed to account for many of its
banned weapons. His comments came as the Iraqi govt formally outlawed
the development and use of WMD in a last-ditch effort to avoid a
US-led war. In the report, that could act as a trigger for a defensive
attack from the US, Dr Blix told the Security Council that Baghdad
has to provide more evidence on whether chem and bio weapons still
exist.  He also said the Al-Samoud 2 missile system exceeds its
UN-restricted range. Dr Blix asked the UN for more time to carry out
his work, arguing inspections were working.

NY (ABC).  DIVIDED! It's been a day of tension and passion at the UN.
Dr Blix delivered his report to the Sec Council, and his tone was
positive.  While he said Iraq still had a long way to go to account
for weapons it was either known to have had in the 90s, or suspected
to have developed since, there were signs his regime was co-operating
with the inspection process.  Dr Blix questioned US claims that
inspectors were spied on or weapons moved ahead of inspection teams.
The report has left the organisation starkly divided -- perhaps moreso
than at the height of the Cold War.  The US was unmoved by any up-beat
spin on the report, saying it would wait only weeks before deciding to
take action against Iraq.  But the report unleashed a wave of
criticism on the US push to war.  France argued passionately for a
peaceful resolution, which led to applause, something rarely heard in
the Sec Council chamber.  France's argument didn't impress Jack Straw
who continued to call for strong action against Iraq.  US Sec of State
Colin Powell urged the Council to "stand united".  Members met
privately in the afternoon, but none showed signs of changing their stance.

NY (Ch 9).  ONE WAY OR THE OTHER! Weapons inspectors say Baghdad is
co-operating.  Dr Hans Blix says, contrary to some reports, Baghdad is
submitted to inspections without notice and that access to suspected
weapons sites has been "almost always granted" over past m.  Calling
for more time for his work, Dr Blix said that "disarmament time could
be short".  Meanwhile, protesters outside the UN HQ called for
inspections not war.  Although they were initially pleased, Dr Blix
eventually had the US squirming.  He criticised the Powell evidence to
the UN, particularly the US interpretations of some photos.  Seizing
on the Blix comments as evidence to delay a US-led war, France went on
the offensive.  It also urged that the question of Iraqi WMD could be
settled peacefully.  Clapping from the audience was evidence of deep
division within the UN.  Russia and China backed France.  But the US
is un-deterred in its plan for military action.  While Powell urged
the world to stand united, Pres Bush went a step further.  The Pres
said Saddam has WMD and has used them.  Saddam has "deceived the world
and continue to do so", said Mr Bush Jr.  Iraq had ties to terror
networks, said the Pres.  It "is a danger", argued Mr Bush, "and will
be disarmed one way or the other".  Observers think Mr Bush means the
former.

NY (Ch 9). DILEMMA!  Dr Blix has handed the world a dilemma.  While
admitting there were still unanswered questions about Iraq's WMD
programs, he said the regime was co-operating with the UN inspection
process.  The main question was the whereabouts of Iraq's WMD.  If the
exist they would be presented for destruction, said Dr Blix.  If they
do not, credible evidence should be presented, he continued.  The
chief weapons inspector said Saddam was co-operating with the process.
And this has created problems for an increasingly-isolated Bush Admin.
It also divided the Sec Council.  France said it believed in the
ability of the UN to build a better world.  The Russians clapped.
Colin Powell said more inspectors were not the answer.  And Spain and
Bulgaria backed the US.  The divisions grew worse when Dr Blix said he
didn't believe Colin Powell's evidence to the Sec Council last wk.  He
zero-ed in on the photo evidence Mr Powell said showed Iraq was using
a "back door" to remove evidence ahead of UN inspectors.  Dr Blix said
the photos could equally well have been routine truck movements from
the facility.  America claimed Iraq was "playing tricks".  But Iraq is
gratified Blix has credited them with increasing co-operation.  They
say the core of the report argues inspectors should get more time.
Elsewhere, Iraq launched new moves formally banning WMD.  A member of
Iraqi minority Christians, PM Aziz has been dispatched to Rome.
Talking to reporters he asked why time was running out, as Mr Bush
says.  "There is no imminent danger", he said.  The Iraqi PM warned the
Muslim world would see the US as launching a world-wide crusade
against them.  Meanwhile, more peace activists arrived in Baghdad
today.  They plan to act as human shields during US bombing.  On the
borders, US troops are still massing.  Reports say 240,000 allied
troops are expected in Kuwait by the end of the m.  It's costing
$US10s mn a day to have them stay there, and summer is fast
approaching.  Observers say these are just 2 reasons the US is
expected to move sooner rather than later.

NY (Ch 10).  WE ALREADY KNOW! The Blix report contains both praise and
criticism of the Iraqi regime.  It provides no immediate trigger for
war.  The report criticised Iraq for not co-operating fully with
weapons inspectors.  Dr Blix said the Iraqi regime had failed to
account of all its WMD.  But he did point out Baghdad has been
co-operating over recent weeks.  As an example, Dr Blix, said Baghdad
had not accounted for about 1,000 t of chem agents from the 1990s.  He
said he couldn't say the WMD still exit, but possibility could not be
excluded.  The report has left the world split.  The US says their
decision on war is no more than weeks away.  France said there was no
cause for war, and the alternative was to disarm Iraq through expanded
UN inspections.  Colin Powell said that wouldn't work, and the Report
showed Iraq was trying to "throw the world off the path".  Other
nations on the Sec Council are said to be undecided.  Observers say
the UK, US , with Spain and Belgium are likely to move to declare Iraq
in violation of UN Resolutions next wk.  In Baghdad, Saddam has banned
the import and production of WMD, something the UN had been demanding
for 10 y.  In Jakarta, PM Howard said Iraq needed to "improve its
attitude" to avoid war.  He greeted the Blix report
"unenthusiastically", saying it "adds nothing to the debate", and
"tells us what we already know".  Indonesia openly supports the EU
proposal for more inspections.  PM Howard said Indonesia was entitled
to its view.  He said he wasn't in Indonesia "to persuade Indonesia to
any view".  Observers say Australia will cut a lonely figure in our
region if we back the US war.

Jakarta (SBS).  NO CHANGE! PM John Howard said nothing had altered
his view.  The Blix export indicated a "a few morsels of
co-operation", the PM told reporters.  "Our view" was that Iraq was
not genuinely co-operating with the UN, Mr Howard said.  Mr Howard has
been meeting with Indonesian officials, trying to point out AUS was
joining a coal'n against a secular regime in Baghdad.  The US plan did
not have an anti-Muslim component, Mr Howard told reporters.  It
wouldn't be a visit to Jakarta by PM Howard without some form of
calculated snub.  A number of Muslim groups have declined to meet with
him, saying the Aussie PM wouldn't be able to change *their* minds
about the nature of the US-led action.  Mr Howard left Indonesia with
no indication of where Iraq policy goes from here.

Jakarta (The Age). SNUBBED!  PM John Howard faces a virtual boycott by
moderate Islamic groups on his visit to Indonesia, partly aimed at
re-assuring the world's largest Muslim country the conflict with Iraq
is not a fight with Islam.  As the PM flew into Jakarta last night,
the leaders of the country's 2 main Muslim organisations declared they
would refuse to meet him.  The snub by leaders of the 40 mn strong
Nahdlatul Ulama and 30 mn member Muhammadiyah follows repeated
warnings by Indonesia's govt that a US-led war on Iraq would be seen
by many of Indon's Muslims as a war on Islam.  Before arriving in
Indonesia Mr Howard said he would use a meeting with Pres Megawati to
stress that Australia had no quarrel with Islam.  A rep for NU said
there was no point in meeting Mr Howard because his views were far
removed from those of his groups' members. A rep for Muhammadiyah said
he would not meet with the Aussie PM, but would fly to Europe next wk
to discuss the looming war with the Pope.
In other news, Indonesia's Justice Min advised the President that
Australia's proposed extradition request for an Egyptian
people-smuggler be rejected. In a letter he said Australia had no
legal basis for the request. Mootaz Attia Mohammad Hasan is accused of
organising the infamous SIEV-X voyage in 2001 that saw the drowning of
350 people on their way to Australia.

Rome (Ch 9).  BREATHING SPACE! "On a mission from God", Iraqi Dep PM
and former Blues Bro Tariq Aziz said growing divisions over war with
Iraq meant the US was now "out on a limb".  The Iraqi Dep PM is in
Rome to thank the Pope for not supporting a "just war" against Iraq.
"Only the UK supports the US", he told reporters.  The US was "in the
minority", he continued, and "doesn't represent the position of world
opinion".  Aziz said Pres Bush's claims about Iraq were "baseless and
ridiculous".  He said the US Pres wanted to "dominate oil" and
"reshape the region according to US interests".
In Baghdad, Parl met to discuss a ban on WMD.  But in a pre-emptive
move, Saddam issued his own decree to ban the import and production of
the weapons.  Iraqis think the Blix Report had given the country a
breathing space.
While anti-war protesters continue to arrive in Baghdad from around
the world, not all new arrivals are intent on peace.  American
occupants of unmarked vehicles were seen crossing the Iraqi border,
and they were not keen on any media attention.

Baghdad (ABC). IRAQI LIFELINE!  Iraq has been thrown a lifeline by the
Blix report.  Iraqi officials say the report is a vindication of what
they've said all along about their weapons programs.  And they see it
as a "damaging swipe at the US", particularly its evidence to the Sec
Council 2 wks ago.  But they also realise it won't be enough to
discourage the US Admin from its plan of "forceful disarmament".

Sydney. DOWNERS PEACE PLAN! For Min Alex Downer says war with Iraq can
still be avoided in the light of the UN weapons report.  Mr Downer
says Dr Blix has reported Iraq is cooperating to a greater extent than
before, but there still needs to be more compliance and
co-operation. The For Min says there's no doubt the military pressure
being placed on Iraq by the surrounding 200,000 allied troops had led
Iraq to make policy changes.

Washington.  ITS OSAMA! A US intel official says a CIA technical
analysis of an audio tape aired on Al Jazeera satellite TV this wk
shows "almost certainly" it is by Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
The official told Reuters news service the tape was of much better
quality than another claimed to be from OBL broadcast last Nov.
Another US official said "sophisticated means" had been used to
compare the latest tape with other known samples of OBL's voice.

Sydney. PEACENIKS! A weekend of protests world-wide has kicked
off with 1000s rallying for peace across NSW.  The Greens
unfurled a "No War" banner on SYD's MLC building as rallies were held
in Newcastle, Lismore, Bellingen and Armidale for voters to show their
opposition to Australia's involvement in military action against
Iraq. Tomorrow, 1000s are expected to join in a rally at SYD's Hyde
Park, which will include a 2 minute "sit in" by protesters.

Hobart (Ch 9).  MARCHES! Opposition to the war is gathering momentum.
There were 4 peace marches today, and 4 more are planned for tomorrow.
25,000 rallied in Hobart -- the cities largest-ever protest.  Bob
Green told the crowd Saddam could be contained without bombing women
and kids.  A likely story!  15,000 hippies were reported acting
suspiciously in Newcastle.  And 5,000 turned out to protest in CBR.
SYD, Bris, Adel and Darwin will see rallies tomorrow.  Elsewhere,
popular opinion is turning against PM Blair in the UK.  A
mass-gathering is planned for Hyde Park tomorrow.  Organisers expect
1/2 mn to 1 mn to attend.

Melbourne (ABC). PROTESTS!  The anti-war movement is building
momentum.  150,000 protested in MEL yesterday, more are expected
tomorrow.  Around AUS today 1000s more expressed their opposition to a
US-led war on Iraq.  20,000 in Perth's Forest Place gathered before
marching around the city.  In CBR 7-10,000 questioned PM Howard's
support for the US plan.  According to one peacenik, Mr Howard was
ignoring "60% plus" of the Aussie population while the US and UK were
playing "good cop, bad cop" with Iraq.  In Tasmania, Bob Green said Mr
Howard had "no right to go to war".  Across the Tasman, 14,000
demonstrated in NZ. Protesters marched in Auckland and Wellington.  But
the calls seem to be falling on deaf ears.  Although For Min Alex
Downer conceded the right to protest, "at end of day what is that
going to do about Saddam Hussein?", he asked.

Canberra (Ch 10). MARCHES!  The "coal'n of the unwilling" turned out
in force today, with 4 demonstrations across the country.  10,000
marched in CBR.  They called for no war and for the govt to bring the
troops back from the Gulf.  The pot-beating peaceniks blocked trucks
before peacenik leader Carmen Lawrence told them Mr Howard wasn't
making war in her name.  There was a similar turnout in Perth, where
demonstrators rejected a close American alliance.  In Hobart 10,000
added their voice to the opp'n against war.  Last night in MEL the
word was the same.  In Jakarta, PM Howard said Aussies were entitled
to protest.  "We are a democracy", he concluded.

Hobart (SBS).  MARCHES! Protests around the country have followed the
MEL lead.  10,000 protesters turned out in Tas, bigger than any rally
over the successful Franklin R campaign.  Bob Green told the crowd the
govt must recall the 2,000 personnel sent to the Gulf.  The Blix
report endorses the European plan to contain Iraq, he said.  "The
European solution is the right way", said Sen Green.  In CBR
3,000-5,00 marched.  Guarding the fort while the boss is O/S, Alex
Downer told reporters "peace was better than war, is an easy argument
to put".  "Life is not always that simple", he continued.  In Vic,
more protesters were outside the Avalon air show.  Even people viewing
the war toys inside didn't support the AUS govt.  The consensus there
was to support action under UN sanction.  "Without that Australia shouldn't
be there", said one victim.  In Japan, 6,000 peaceniks marched in
Tokyo.  In the UK protesters mugged Downing Street.  And, smelling
blood, Fleet St didn't miss out on an opportunity.

Jakarta. JAKARTA MISSION! PM John Howard will spend the last day of
his wk-long "peace mission" in meetings with the Indon govt today in
an attempt to allay fears about a possible war with Iraq.  Mr Howard
and his wife, Janette, will start the day by meeting Pres Megawati
Sukarnoputri and her husband, Taufiq Kiemas, over tea at the Pres
palace. Mr Howard plans to tell the Pres that Australia's concerns
have nothing to do with religion and are instead with countries such
as Iraq that have weapons programs.

Jakarta (ABC).  AUS AND INDON AGREE! PM John Howard has criticised
Indonesians that say the up-coming war on Iraq is a war against
Muslims.  It was a "huge, monstrous distortion" said Mr Howard.  He
said the war on Iraq was not a war on Islam.  He called on the UN for
action, saying it was time for the world body to stop
"dilly-dallying".  But "time is, in a sense, irrelevant", added the
PM.  But there may have been goblins in the translation pipeline.  At
a press conf Pres Megawati said AUS and Indonesia were agreed, "there
must be a peaceful solution", she said.  Commentators agree, if Mr
Howard goes to war with the US, he will have little support in the
region.

London. TERRORISM! Fears over terrorist attack by Al Qaeda have loomed
for a 4th day over London's bustling Heathrow airport with a bomb
scare emptying a terminal building and police grilling suspects under
anti-terrorism laws.  A Metro Police rep said terminal 2 at Heathrow
was evacuated for more than 1 hr before police checked and cleared a
suspect package. The terminal handles both European flights and those
to several Arab countries including Algeria, Morocco, Syria and Yemen.
Police say they are still quizzing 6 men, detained under Britain's
Draconian terrorism laws.

NY (NBC). TERRORISM!  Security measures in NYC have become more
visible in the past wk.  As the terrorism alert continues, even longer
lines of cars & trucks are lined up getting into Manhattan.  Police
are frisking trucks for explosives and other suspicious items.
Delivery trucks have driver's names checked.  The City reports it's
assigned 1,200 police full-time to counter-terrorism operations.
Precautions are being taken everywhere.  National landmarks are
guarded, with visitors frisked before going through the gates.  NYC
Mayor Bloomberg says cities O/S have had soldiers and cops with
machine guns on street corners for years. Now it's come to the US.  He
says everyone should take the precautions they *should* have been
taking for years. Such as extra food at home in case the electricity
goes out.  The mayor says he feels safe.  A code orange alert has been
in effect in NYC since 9/11, the rest of country caught up during last
wk.  Bloomberg says while the city is taking some new steps, others
are just becoming visible for the first time in 17 m.  Many officers
are in plain clothes. Unmarked vans are staking out sensitive areas in
lower Manhattan, in case of a terrorist incident.  But why make them
more visible in this last wk?  Mr Bloomberg said it was just "common
sense", and there should be greater visibility of "first responders"
just ahead of a war with Iraq.  It would take an enormous attack to go
to code red, said the Mayor.  What has been the effect on tourism?
NYC tourism took a big hit after 9/11.  Mayor Bloomberg hoped that
doesn't happen this time.  "You are safer coming here than staying
where you are", he said.  The Mayor said NYC was one of the safest big
cities in the world, and one of the safest in the US.  "Don't let
terrorists beat us just because of a few reports in the newspapers",
he urged.  Observers say another rush on hardware stores is expected
over the weekend.  "It's better safe than sorry at this point", said
one shopper. It had been feared that consumers would stay at home and
stop spending.

NY (SBS).  HERCULES TEAMS! The country has been on orange alert for 1
wk now.  But that's old hat to NYC.  This wk officials have ramped up
security , announcing the deployment of new police "Hercules teams".
NYC's Mayor says the teams will appear and disappear, and designed to
disrupt terrorist planning.  Terrorists would be kept guessing by
police movements.  There are also lots of false alarms for authorities
to deal with.  Police were called in to Grand Central because of a
whiff of diesel in the subway.  They also had to check out a
suspicious packages in a truck.  It turned out to be nothing.  But
police say they don't mind.  Elsewhere, there are random checks at
city bridges.  And the Hercules Teams even have sea support.  NYC
police commissioner Kelly announced some new measures today.  Near
Wall St security are even higher that other parts of the city.  Most
NY-ers say they'll take the changes in their stride.  Mayor Bloomberg
said the threat of terror will get constant attention as long as it's
needed.

San Francisco. TERRORISM! The US is reportedly to deploy a top-secret
high-power weapon in its war against Iraq.  The Chronicle says the
weapon will allow the US to zap electronic circuits with 100s of times
the power of a lightning bolt while posing virtually no harm to
people.  The newspaper says the directed energy weapon would
immobilise enemy communications systems, computers, fighter jets and
other electrical equipment. It's reported the US has been working on
defences against high-power microwave beams, and have developed a
missile that can directed them against enemy targets.

Darwin (ABC). BALI AFTERMATH!  A new report has shown the impact on
nurses and doctors of treating Bali bombing victims.  The report was
obtained by ABC under FOI.  It details how 63 bomb victims were
transferred from Bali to the Royal Darwin Hospital, most suffering
"horrific injuries".  Medical officials recall how at one point there
were 18 simultaneous resuscitations in a dept that had never been
designed to deal with it.  The report focuses on the psych impact on
hosp staff, once normal duties had been resumed.  It says much of
their day-to-day work looked trivial by comparison.  Medical staff
said they continued to grieve for the victims, long after they left
the hospital.  The report says about 200 staff attended de-briefing
meetings, with about 1/2 that number requesting individual trauma
counselling.  The report calls for an Aus-wide disaster plan to be
re-worked, and recommends that Darwin should be the reception point
for victims of terrorism attacks or other disasters in the Asian
region.

Bali (Ch 9).  BALI COP GIVEN BIG TICK! PM Howard has thanked Jakarta
for its swift investigation into the Bali bombing.  In Aus, Gen I Made
Pastika has been credited with much of the success of the
investigation, that now sees 30 suspects lined up for trial.  The Gen
has also made many enemies in his work.  For a start, he's a policeman
and has survived for 30 y in one of the country's most corrupt
organisations.  Then there is the fact he's busted open Jemaah
Islamiah, a fundamentalist Muslim organisation.  Thanks largely to
Pastika's team the Bali bombers will face justice. Even the lawyer for
Ali Imron, brother Ali Gufron, and Amrozi will not hear a harsh word
about the Gen or the way he's done his job.  "I see Pastika as a
professional policeman. He does everything by the book. He's not
emotional, he's not swayed by public opinion", said Suryanto.

Bogota. KA-BOOM! Authorities say suspected rebels had planned to
assassinate Pres Alvaro Uribe with a huge bomb this weekend, but
detonated the device when police discovered them, killing 15 people
and wounding dozens more.  The chief of the local prosecutor's office
says the suspected rebels had planned to detonate the bomb, located in
a house near the airport in the S city of Neiva, at Uribe's plane
passed overhead during a scheduled visit tomorrow. The plan was to
blow the plane out of the sky. Later reports say about 40 houses have
been demolished by the blast, with about a dozen police and a dozen
children killed.  About 3,500 people are killed each year in
Colombia's on-going civil strife.

Bogota. Investigators say Colombian rebels have for the first time
downed a US anti-drug plane, killing 2 Americans, and are holding
hostage 2 surviving US nationals and a Colombian.  Officials say
searchers found the charred Cessna late yesterday with the bodies of 2
of the 5 victims aboard, while the other 3 were taken away by the
Revolutionary Armed Forced of Colombia. Later reports said the 2 dead
men had been shot in the head and chest. Conflicting reports say all 3
kidnapped men are US nationals.

Ramallah. Palestinian leader Yassar Arafat has agreed to share power
and appoint a PM, in the most tangible sign yet of the reforms the US
and Israel have demanded of his administration.  Israel is also
fine-tuning its preparations for any spillover from a US war with
Iraq.  Arafat says he's decided to appoint a Palestinian PM and will
ask the Palestinian Legislative Council to take the necessary
measures.  Since Israel and US refuse to deal with Arafat, appointing
a Palestinian PM could improve relations.

Sydney. GREEN POWER! A national survey has shown than Aussies buying
green energy have reduced greenhouse gas output by 400,000 t during
the last FY.  This is equivalent to taking 89,000 cars off the roads.
Results from the National Green Power Accreditation Program audit
shows sales in renewable energy reached 405 GWh in 2001/02. The
Program was launched in 1997 by the NSW govt, and accredits eligible
renewable energy generators and producers nationally.

Melbourne. MATH PROF FOR RMIT!  RMIT is expected to appoint Qld
mathematician Dennis Gibson to replace former Chancellor Don Mercer.
Prof Gibson, 60, is VC of Qld Uni of Tech. He's been head for 21 y and
is due to retire in Apr.  He'll replace Mr Mercer at a difficult time
for RMIT. 6 members of the uni council have resigned over the past 2
wks and the State AG has been called in to probe the uni's finances.
Mr Mercer had been head of RMIT for 4 y.  An RMIT rep said no
appointment had been made at this time.

Tokyo. FARMERS!  1000s of Japanese farmers have rallied against a
proposal to slash tariffs as ministers struggle to find common ground
on the issue at a WTO meeting in Tokyo.  Delegates from the WTO and 22
member economies are meeting in Tokyo to try to hammer out an
agreement on agricultural talks by the end of Mar, as part of the
latest round of WTO global trade talks that began in Doha, Qatar in
2001.  Today talks focused on a proposal from former HK Trade Amb
Stuart Harninson, the chair of the WTO farm negotiations.

Lagos. NO, NOT THE OIL!  Nigeria's main oil workers' union Pengassan
has ordered an indefinite strike that will cripple crude oil exports
from the W African country.  Nigeria, Africa's largest oil producer,
is the 6th largest exporter in the OPEC cartel, accounting for about 2
mn bbl a day. The Dep Gen Sec of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Snr
Staff Assoc, Bayo Olowosile, says the strike would begin tomorrow.

NY (5 pm).  War fears sparked an unexpected rally on Wall St with the
Dow closing 158 pts and 2% higher.

----------------------------------------
16 Feb 2003.

London.  GLOBAL PEACENIKS! Several million people waving banners and
chanting anti-war slogans have jammed streets around the world in
opposition to US plans to invade Iraq in one of the biggest peace
protests in history.  Rallies fired up in cities across EU, the Middle
East and Asia, with organisers claiming a turnout of 3 mn in Rome, and
at least 1/2 mn in Britain, and a similar number in France.  In Berlin
1/2 mn marched against the war -- the biggest protest ever seen
there. From CBR to Sofia, from Cape Town to Karachi, protesters took
to the streets to pillory George W Bush Jr as a bloodthirsty warmonger.

London (Ch 7).  UK PROTESTS! In the largest peace march in UK history,
3/4 mn protesters marched through London to hear anti-war speakers in
Hyde Park.  It was the largest of the peace protests across the world
yesterday.  Among other speakers, Rev Jessie Jackson asked Tony Blair
to "give peace a chance".  London Mayor Ken Livingston launched a
personal attack on the US Pres, saying while he wasn't prepared to fight
for his own country, Mr Bush Jr "got his daddy to get him out of
national service", he was sending US troops to war.  In Russia Pres
Bush was depicted as the Devil.  In Rome, about 1 mn marched.  After
yesterday's "practice" another 1/4 mn protesters are expected today
across Australia.  Bris and Adel are expecting huge crowds.  In the
largest protest ever seen in the national capital, about 5,000 marched
against the Iraq war in CBR yesterday.

London (Ch 7).  TONY GETS MESSAGE! Brit PM Tony Blair appears to have
softened his stance on war in Iraq.  Speaking at a Labour meeting in N
Eng he said UN inspectors will be given more time.  But Mr Blair
warned the UN its authority would be lost if it fails to disarm
Saddam.  Referring to the public backlash against him, the PM said he
didn't seek unpopularity as a badge of honour, but it sometimes is the
badge of office and leadership.  Referring to the number of voters in
protest marches in London and around the world, Mr Blair said if 5,000
marched, Saddam was responsible for the deaths of 5,000 of his own
countrymen.  If 1 mn marched, said the PM, 1 mn had died in the wars
Saddam had started.

NY (Ch 7).  US RALLY! While UN ambassadors were arguing inside, there
was a peace rally near the UN HQ yesterday.  It was bitterly cold,
about -5 C.  Organisers said 100,000 were expected, reporters said
certainly 10s of 1000s turned up.  Protesters wanted to march by the
UN building, but a judge ordered they couldn't for security reasons.
Unlike anti-war protests of the past, this march saw a lot of older
people.  And parents with children.  US polls show that despite the
hard-sell for war the majority still want to wait for UN backing.  But
observers say that's more and more unlikely.  America's patience is
running out.  It was thought the US would try to get a 2nd UN
resolution authorising force against Saddam as early as next wk.  But
it's now thought that plan has been abandoned, because it would be
knocked down.  The Whitehouse is quiet today, working out what to do
next.  The latest developments at the UN and NATO are proving a
headache for the Bush Admin.  Unofficially, the Admin is unhappy with
Hans Blix, saying he's let Saddam "off the hook".  Observers say the
Blix Report may have sped up the march to war, not slowed it down.

NY. BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD! Amid a global outpouring of anti-war
sentiment, the US and Brit have begun reworking a draft resolution to
authorise the use of force against Iraq.  Diplomats, speaking off the
record, say the final product may be a softer text that does not
explicitly call for war. Before last Fri's dramatic Security Council
meeting, where weapons inspectors gave a relatively favourable account
of Iraq's recent cooperation, US and Brit diplomats had been preparing
a strongly-worded resolution that would have given them UN backing for
military action against Saddam. If it had passed.

Sydney (7 am). More than 150,000 people are expected to march for peace in
SYD today as part of a worldwide protest against US threats to invade
Iraq.  Up to 10 mn have joined rallies around the world this weekend
to voice anti-war feeling.  SYD's Walk Against the War Coalition
rep, John Hallam, says the protests show there's a massive groundswell
against war right across the world.  He says it's the largest single
protest about any issue the world has ever seen.

Sydney (4 pm). PROTESTS! Police say more than 200,000 people have
converged on SYD for today's anti-war rally, while organisers estimate
about 1/2 mn attended.  Police say the crowd packed into Hyde Park and
the city streets as part of a worldwide protest against US-led
military action in Iraq. Police say safety fears caused them to
re-route the march. The demo began at noon in Hyde Park and protesters
had planned to return there after marching through the CBD, but police
redirected the protesters to the Domain, concerned about overcrowding.

Brisbane (Ch 7, 6.30 pm). QLD PEACENIKS!  Anti-war protests swept around
the world again today.  In Brisbane 100,000 marched against the US-led war
on Iraq.  Chanting "No War" they walked around the city.  Many said
they were demonstrating for the first time.  And many said they were
protesting war under any conditions, with or without any UN mandate
for an attack on Iraq.
In Adelaide, 50,000 blocked traffic in the CBD.  I liked the "dumb and
dumber" sign.
In Sydney, 200,000 converged on Hyde Park.
Aussie organisers are more than pleased with the turnout, and plan
more demos if the war talk continues.
Around the world, 10 mn marched in 350 cities (SBS said 600 cities).
In London 2 mn paralysed the city. Police said it was the biggest demo
ever held in the city.  Demonstrators told Bush & Blair to "Back Off
Iraq" and "Make Tea Not War".  There were also personal messages for
world leaders.  "Piss Off Bush" was one.
30,000 marched in Glasgow, where Labour is having a policy conf.
Although organisers estimated a much larger number, police still say
it was a record.  Inside the venue Tony Blair was down-playing the
marches, indicated they were misguided.  He argued that peace was
continuing human rights abuses in Iraq. But he did slip in a comment
about allowing more time for inspectors.
In France demonstrators marched in 100s of towns and cities.  They
were telling their govt to hold the line.
In the chilling cold of Berlin 1/2 mn showed their support for the
peace message from their govt. It was the biggest rally seen there
since the end of the War.
In Madrid 2 mn marched to tell their govt it was out of step with the
population in supporting Pres Bush.
Across the Middle East Iraqi flags were carried in protests. Many in
the region suspect America has a hidden agenda.
In Rome 2 mn marched, saying PM Silvo Berlisconi didn't speak for them.
Passions ran high in Greece, with a riot outside the US consulate.
Police used teargas to clear demonstrators away.  But elsewhere
peaceniks made their point peacefully.
In the US crowds were smaller than elsewhere, but marches were still
bigger than during the Vietnam era.  Archb Des Tutu addressed the
crowd in NYC.  While the marchers were mostly peaceful, as the crowd
swelled there were some clashes with police as demonstrators tried to
link up.  There were a number of arrests.  While opinion polls in
America show a majority support action against Saddam, 60% want UN
support before a strike.
Meanwhile, in Baghdad the Pope's envoy met with Saddam Hussein, asking
him whether he had done everything to ensure peace. The answer was not
made available to reporters.
Back in Australia, PM John Howard said he wasn't moved by the show of
people power.  He said he would do what he though was right for
Australia, and wouldn't be swayed by opinion polls.  He had just flown
in after a week of war talk around the world.

Gaza Strip. Palestinian security sources say 4 people, including an 11
yo child, have been shot and wounded by Israeli troops in the S Gaza
Strip.  Medical sources say the group was trying to block demolition
work being conducted by Israeli army bulldozers in Rafah, nr the
Egyptian border, and were wounded in gunfire. They're all reported in
stable condition.  An Israeli Army rep said soldiers opened fire after
grenades were fired at them.

Lagos. NO, NOT THE OIL!  Nigerian oil workers have called an
indefinite strike that could shut down crude oil exports from the
world's 6th largest exporter. The strike over pay and conditions comes
as the threat of war in Iraq and another strike in Venezuela have
pushed oil prices to a 2-y high, 50% of Nigerian exports go to the US.
The govt can ill-afford a prolonged strike as it seeks to tackle
widespread poverty and repair infrastructure left to decay during
decades of corrupt rule.

Canberra (The Age). NO, NOT THE OIL!  The Fed Govt has flagged it may
pay for a war against Iraq with an estimated $700 mn windfall from
fuel tax, as prices are pushed up by war jitters.  Looking at it
another way, Saddam is paying for the war against him.  During last
wk's Estimates hearings Treas officials pointed out the Govt would
get a huge revenue boost from increased fuel prices.  Based on a
price of $US23/bbl the Budget estimated a Rent Tax of $1.25 bn for the
FY. In the Review, based on a price of $US25/bbl, the estimate had
risen to $1.65 bn. The Opp'n estimates by the end of the FY oil will
be $US30.50/bbl and would reap a Tax windfall of $1/95 bn, a $700 mn
increase in the Budget number.

Canberra (Ch 7).  AUSSIES CAN DISOBEY! Gen Peter Cosgrove says Aussies
fighting in Iraq will be legally able to defy US orders.  During WWI
diggers were permitted to disobey Brit orders, and deserting to the
rear was not a hanging offence, unlike members of the Brit forces.
Gen Cosgrove said attacking non-military personnel was against int'l
law.  The Iraqi use of human shields could pose a problem, he said.

Canberra (Ch 10). US MAY TARGET DAMS!  Some reports say the US is
prepared to target Iraqi water supplies as part of its "shock and awe"
strategy in Iraq.  Def Min Robert Hill says he hasn't heard the
reports.  Asked about the possibility of Aussies being ordered by the
US to bomb dams and endanger Iraqi civilians, Sen Hill said AUS takes
on board more of the int'l Conventions on war than America.

Washington. BOMBS AWAY!  US officials say coalition warplanes have
bombed 2 Iraqi mobile SAM systems near Basra in S Iraq.  The US C
Command says in a statement that the facility's presence in the no-fly
zone was a threat to coalition aircraft.  The statement says US and UK
aircraft bombed 2 other SAM systems, also located near Basra,
yesterday. Basra is likely to be one of the first targets of invading
US forces.

Manila. QUAKE 6.2!  Two strong earthquakes have strick C Philippines
just hrs apart, damaging houses and roads and knocking out power.
Officials say there are no immediate reports of casualties.  The
Philippines Inst of Vulcanology and Seismology says the 2nd, stronger
quake, registered 6.2 and was set of by movement in a major fault line
running from the country's mountainous N to the S.  The 1st quake,
with a mag 5.5, hit early yesterday, 5 hrs before the 2nd.

Canberra (The Age). HERCULES SHOWS ACHILLES HEEL!  The RAF has been
forced to send 2 of its older Herc troop transports to the Gulf
because the newer models were not protected against missile attack.
The decision emerged in Estimates hearings last wk.  RAF chief Air
Marshal Angus Houston told the Committee 2 of the older C130H aircraft
were deployed to the Gulf, along with a newer C130J because the crews
of the older planes were fully trained and the new planes had not all
been fitted with electronic warfare systems to protect them from
attack.  He said the C130J would only fly logistic support between
the Gulf and Aus.

Canberra. STAY OUT OF KUWAIT!  Aussies have been advised to defer any
non-essential travel to Kuwait. DFAT also urges Australians in Kuwait
to register with the AUS Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  The
advisory comes amid heightened tension in the Middle East as the US
prepares to lead a unilateral attack on Kuwait's N neighbour,
Iraq. 100s of 1000s of US troops are presently stationed in N. Kuwait.

Canberra (The Age). ANTHRAX HIT SQUADS!  Medical experts are on standby
to fly anywhere in AUS in the event of a bio terrorist attack using
anthrax.  A consignment of 50,000 doses of vaccine flown into the
country late last y is stockpiled ready for rapid distribution.  With
it would go staff trained to use it in a mass inoculation program,
said a Fed Health Dept rep.  The vaccine can be given up to several
days after someone is exposed to the disease.  The Fed Govt has
allocated $150 mn over 4 y to build up a system to deal with bio,
chem, radiological, nuclear or explosive incidents.

Melbourne (The Age). FIRST AID SOARS!  Demand for first aid training has
soared around Vic following the deployment of the Fed Govt's "Look Out
Australia" booklets.  The 2 training organisations named in the
booklet, St John Amb and the AUS Red Cross, have all seen increased
bookings for courses since the start of Feb.  St John, Australia's
largest first aid trainer, expects to teach 5,100 Vic's during Feb, up
by more than 60% from Feb last y.  Red Cross Vic said telephone
inquiries had doubled this past wk.  "We're putting that down to
distribution of the Govt booklet", said Andrew Hilton, Exec Dir. The
govt mailout began on Feb 3.  It advises all Aussies to learn first
aid and buy a first aid kit.  Other groups say they've seen no
windfall for the month, and accuse the Fed Govt of damaging their
business by singling out just 2 organisations.

Washington. NEW FRONT OPENS UP!  The US says it's "highly sceptical"
that Burma's military junta is serious about democratic reform and
it's warned it may step up sanctions if its patience wears thin.  Asst
Sec of State for Human Rights, Democracy and Labor Lorne Craner has
delivered a highly pessimistic survey of the political situation in
Myanmar.  He says the US is "disappointed" that last y's release from
house arrest of the country's democratically elected leader, Aung San
Suu Kyi, hasn't been followed up by a genuine effort to begin talks
between the regime and "the opposition".

Sydney (Ch 7).  HOWARD ON MISSION! PM John Howard is back in AUS from
his 1 wk "peace mission".  He touched down in AUS at 6 am this
morning.  The PM's expected to brief Cabinet this wk on his talks with
Pres Bush, UN Sec Gen Kofi Annan, Brit PM Blair and Indon Pres Megawati.
But in a pre-recorded interview for Ch 7 he said his position on the
Iraq crisis hasn't changed.  The PM said time was not the problem, it
was Iraq's attitude that was the problem.  Indicating that time was
part of the problem, Iraq had shown a bad attitude for 12 y, he said.
Mr Howard said the worst thing was to "give up and walk away because
it was too hard".  He indicated he was still backing the US quick fix
to disarm Saddam by force.
But the PM held out an olive branch.  Peace was still a possible
outcome, he said, if the world spoke with one voice.  As long as the
voice was for war. "Saddam only responds to pressure", Mr Howard said.
Because pressure had been applied, the UN inspectors were back in
Iraq.  But "[Saddam] isn't co-operating properly", said the PM.  He
was "treating the Security Council with contempt".  But he conceded
the US could ignore the UN and launch a unilateral attack. But it
wasn't unilateral because more than one country would be on the side
launching the attack on Iraq, said Mr Howard. The UK and Australia
would be there, too.
PM Howard was largely dismissive of protests and public opinion
against the war.  150,000 marched in MEL yesterday, and public opinion
has hardened.  Mr Howard said you can't measure opinion by demos.
This was an issue where some people would feel strongly opposed, but
other would support him.  "My opinion is right for Australia", said
the PM.  "We haven't done it lightly", he added.  "It isn't easy...  I
hate war...  I despise it", said Mr Howard.  "If the world walks away
we have to confront it later at greater cost", he said.
Mr Howard indicated the courage it took to make the hard decisions.
He had been asked about possible civilian casualties in an Iraqi war.
"We have to balance risks in international decision making", he said.
"If you recoil from the immediate consequences you end up paying an
infinitely greater price", Mr Howard warned.  "Many children die as a
result of that", he conceded.  But "you don't get a result by
displaying weakness".
Australia wasn't locked in to an Iraqi war.  "We haven't made a final
decision... and... we haven't", said the PM.  Mr Howard said he had a
"responsibility to maintain maximum flexibility until the last
minute".  Although his mind is made up.
Olive branch again: "If you have a change of attitude... you can have
all the time in the world".
About Australia's position on the UN impasse: "Some views are best put
privately".  "It pays to take a strong stand", Mr Howard continued,
"and contribute to [the US] military action".
Someone noticed a contradiction.  Into stall mode: "Our position is as
I've just described it".
Although Mr Howard had said he was flexible: "That has been a long
term view...  I haven't just made it up".
But then again: "We haven't made a final decision".
Asked about the apparent conflicts in his word play: "This is too
serious an issue to play those kind of word-games".
Of discussions with Mr Bush on his trip: "We talked about how to
handle the situation in the current circumstances".
On the Blair document: "[It] was politically generated and has nothing
to do with our decision". The decision to remain flexible?
Colin Powell's evidence to the UN: "I am persuaded by British and US
intelligence I've seen...  some is still secret...  what I have seen
I'm very persuaded by...  [the Powell evidence] is strongly consistent
with only 1 hypothesis". Strongly consistent must be a weaker
condition than internally consistent.

Sydney (Ch 7).  BUTLER ON HOWARD! Former UN weapons chief, Richard
Butler, said comments by Mr Howard about his position on the Iraqi war
were "unbelievable".  The PM had told Aussies their opinion didn't
matter, said Mr Butler.  That was incredible given Mr Howard's past
"interest" in opinion polls.  Mr Howard had also virtually said the
deaths of innocent women and children were their fault because Saddam
was their president.
Mr Butler said if the US moves without UN sanction it would undo 50 y
of int'l co-operation.  It would put the world "back to a place where
the rule of law was replaced by the rule of muscle... of might", he
said.  "God only knows where that leaves us".  "How is that in
Australian's interest?", asked Mr Butler.  Mr Howard had said he was
acting in Australia's interest in supporting the US position.
Mr Butler argued that more importantly than dealing with Iraq, would
the world work by consultation and co-operation or would we just do
what the US says?

Canberra. BALI MEMORIAL!  A $10.5 mn donation to help improve medical
facilities on the Indonesian Is of Bali will be a memorial to the 88
Aussies killed in the terrorist attack of last Oct.  PM and saint John
Howard announced the donation on his "peace mission" to Indonesia. He
says the funding will be for a new intensive care centre for the
Sanglah Hospital in Denpasar, upgrades to other hospital facilities,
including the burns unit, and training. It will also help develop
emergency care capacity, including an outreach service from the
hospital.

Melbourne (Ch 7).  Today marks the 20th anniversary of Ash Wednesday.
The horror 24 hr saw high winds and 40 C temps fan 180 fires across
the state.  The blazes destroyed 2,000 homes and killed 47 people.  12
CFA firefighters were among those killed, after they chose the wrong
track trying to avoid a fire-front.  While an annual Ash Wed cricket
match is a tradition, today marked a special commemoration of the
disaster.  Observers say as a result of the tragedy, Vic now have one
of best firefighting services in the world.

Melbourne. RAIN HAMPERS FIRIES!  Rain expected today is likely to
hinder Vic firefighters rather than help extinguish the blaze that has
desolated the state's NE. Dept of Sust and Env rep John Lloyd says the
predicted S'ly change didn't arrive in the fire region yesterday and
is now expected early today, at levels far below those initially
predicted.  Mr Lloyd says all the rain's likely to do is slow down
consolidation of containment lines.

----------------------------------------
17 Feb 2003.

Washington (Ch 7). WHITEHOUSE UNMOVED!  The Whitehouse has been
unmoved by world peace protests.  Although Pres Bush told reporters
war was his last option, his position on military action in
Iraq remains unchanged.  US officials have signalled the US
will soon abandon diplomatic moves and an invasion of Iraq is said to
be just "weeks away".  Reporters say there is no talk today of a 2nd
resolution to the UN, because of the liklihood it would fail to pass.
Iraq says world protest proves the US is becoming isolated.  But doing
the rounds of talkshows yesterday, Connie Rice says an "increasing
coal'n" of states will disarm Saddam.  She said the US is fast running
out of patience with Iraq.  While there was no deadline for action, Ms
Rice said the final decision was weeks and not months away.  She said
the UN must understand what its obligations are.  The Security Advisor
accused France and Russia of reducing pressure on Saddam and playing
into the dictator's hands.  CNN reports that Iraq is "gloating at
world protests".
Meanwhile, a memorial in Baghdad led by VP Ramadan paid respect to
Iraqis killed in a bomb attack during the first Gulf War.  In the
attack 2 bombs penetrated the roof of building thought by allies to be
a military command centre.  400 peopled were killed, most of them
women and children.  The VP accused the US of looking for any pretext
to attack Iraq.  A man who lost 5 members of family in the attack
searched the memorial for their names.  Visiting human shields took
the opportunity to do their first TV demo.  Elsewhere, at the Martyr's
Memorial other Iraqis remembered their countrymen who had died in all
Iraq's wars.  In other reports, a surprise visit by UN inspectors to
an army site in N Baghdad discovered 2 missiles which are now being
checked against Iraq's weapons declaration. Later reports said they
were of the Al-Samoud 2 type recently found to exceed the UN 150 km
max flight range. U2 spy planes are reported to now be flying across
Iraq, searching for other signs of Iraqi WMD.

London. SHIELDS! A convoy of anti-war protesters ready to serve as
human shields in the event of an attack on Iraq arrived in Baghdad
from London today. Group rep Torben Franck says more than 75 members
are now in the Iraqi capital.  A separate convoy of protesters is due
to arrive tomorrow.  More are due to fly out of London on Feb 21, that
some tip as the long-planned launch date of the US attack.

Washington. Faced with broad opposition to war on Iraq at the UN, US
Pres George Bush Jr's national security advisor says the Whitehouse
might push a new UN plan to force a showdown with Saddam.  Condoleeza
Rice told NBC's Meet The Press it was becoming more obvious that the
Iraqi president won't disarm voluntarily, and the UN is letting him
get away with it.  Rice says the Bush Admin is evaluating all options
after being rebuffed on Fri at the UN Security Council, where members
lined up behind France's call for more weapons inspectors.

L.A. (Ch 9). RICE SHOOTS BLAIR!  Sec Adv Connie Rice seemed to shoot
down Brit PM Tony Blair's suggestion for more time for UN inspections,
saying "more time" played into the hands of the Iraqi regime.
Mr Blair made the call at a Labour conf yesterday as anti-war
demonstrations swept the UK.  Protests in London exceeded the size of
the Poll Tax protest that brought down Maggie Thatcher.
Appearing on TV last might, Ms Rice said the UN Sec Council must stand
united and tell Saddam to disarm or the world would disarm him.  She
called the Iraq leader's tactics "cheat and retreat".
Like other rallies across the US, the L.A. peace demo yesterday saw
large numbers of the elderly and parents with kids.  The protests have
the Whitehouse concerned that public opinion could turn against Pres
Bush ahead of elections next y.  Connie Rice went on the talk circuit
offensive last night.  She's seen as the "calm voice of the Whitehouse".
If you want a peaceful resolution of the Iraqi crisis, Ms Rice said
talking to protesters, don't take the pressure off Saddam.
Observers say the US and UK will try to put through a draft resolution
finding Iraq in material breach of Res 1441, and calling on the US to
"restore international peace and security".

London. NO NUKES LIKE NEW NUKES! North Korea reportedly plans to build
4 new nuclear power plants, each bigger than the controversial
Yongbyon plan that's suspected of being the centre of the nation's
renewed nuclear weapons program.  The Sunday Telegraph quotes NK's dir of
energy, Kim Jae-Rok, as saying that "desperate measures" are needed to
tackle the country's heat and light shortages.  The crisis over NK's
nuclear program has been simmering since Oct, when Washington said
Pyongyang had admitted to pursuing a program to enrich uranium in
violation of a 1994 accord.

Geneva. PLANNING FOR WORST! Humanitarian agencies and diplomats from
nearly 30 key countries have agreed that the world should plan for the
worst in Iraq, to help save millions of ordinary Iraqis from tragedy
from a US-led war.  Officials and delegates in Geneva say that was the
general conclusion of a weekend meeting called by the Swiss Govt to
discuss the social consequences of a conflict -- and how its effects
on civilians could be minimised.  Meeting chair Walter Fust says the
feeling is they must prepare for the worst.

Sydney (7 am). MARKETS!  US markets closed in positive territory, with
the Dow up 158 pts, and the Nasdaq up 16.  The All Ords was down 16.
The AUD is at 59.24 US cents, oil is down off recent highs at
$US33.46/bbl, and gold is around $US350/oz.

Canberra. PM John Howard says many people support his handling of the
Iraq crisis, despite the largest anti-war protests since the Vietnam
war jamming cities across the nation.  More than 1/2 mn Aussies turned
out at weekend rallies to oppose military action against Iraq, joining
up to 10 mn anti-war protests around the globe.  However Mr Howard
says the massive turnout doesn't mean the govt is out of step with the
public mood, which he says supports American and British plans for
tough action against Iraq.

Sydney (Ch 7). HOWARD UNMOVED!  Despite mass anti-war rallies over the
weekend and new polls showing 90% of Aussies don't want war without a
UN mandate, PM John Howard says he won't change his stance on Iraq.
Yesterday's 200,000-strong SYD peace rally took place just after PM
John Howard arrived back in Australia from his world-wide "peace
mission".  But he appeared defiant on 60 Mins last night, saying the
Iraqi crisis was being handled in Aussie interests.  Mr Howard is now
said to be planning for a double dissolution election over Telstra,
perhaps as soon as Dec this y, depending on the outcome of the Iraqi
crisis.  On morning TV, Green Sen Bob Brown called for the 2,000
deployed Aussie troops to come home.  Min Joe Hocking said the govt
would not ignore public opinion, but it had no choice but to back the
US.  He re-iterated the PM's words, saying no-one liked war, but AUS
had to back the US military option and disarm Iraq by force.  He said
the UN report had shown that Saddam had VX and anthrax and was
refusing to disarm.

Canberra. ELECTION NOT RULED OUT! PM John Howard has denied a report
he has asked the Liberal Party to prepare for an election by the end
of the y. Mr Howard's rep says the party is not ruling the option out,
but the suggestion there is a contingency plan is wrong. The Telegraph
reported Mr Howard had asked party organisers to give him the option
of an end-of-year election. The newspaper says prospects for a poll
would depend on how, and how effectively, the Iraq issue was settled.

Sydney (Ch 9). PM ARROGANT!  Sen Bob Brown says PM John Howard is
being "arrogant" in refusing to take on board massive peace protests
across AUS and around the world over the weekend.  Sen Brown told
morning TV there are questions of the Const'l validity of the PM's
viewpoint.  He said the PM could not declare war without the
Commonwealth being under attack.  Without Parl voting Mr Howard had
send 2,000 to war with Iraq.  Sen Brown warned there would be legal
views expressed in coming weeks that would challenge the PM.  While
there was "universal revulsion" at the dictator of Iraq, said Sen
Brown, mns of Iraqis would be caught between Saddam and the US in any
conflict.  Peace activists were backing the UN option. The UN was
containing Saddam and will disarm him, Sen Brown said.  The Iraq
crisis didn't need a massive attack.  The Sen cited predictions of up
to 1/2 mn casualties in a war with the US, and up to 5 mn could be
displaced by the conflict.  Sen Brown said he wouldn't support any
Iraqi invasion unless Iraq attacked some country using WMD.  But there
was no prospect at that at this time.  The Senator said there were
more dangerous countries by that criterion.  Iraq was not Australia's
war. Australia did not have an interest in what Sen Brown called the
"US oil attack".  He said the PM would put Aussie troops under the
command of the US even if there was no UN mandate.  An American attack
appears more and more likely.  Sen Brown denied that calls for a
peaceful solution to the Iraqi standoff showed a "green light to rogue
states".  The world should deal with Saddam strongly, he said, but we
don't need mass casualties.

Melbourne. AFGHAN DRUGS BLOW-OUT! The Vic govt says MEL's illegal drug
markets are being flooded with heroin sourced from Afghanistan. The
number of heroin-OD ambulance calls has doubled in the past 6 m.  Vic
Police Min Andre Haermeyer says the OD increase coincides with a
21-fold increase in the Afghan poppy crop since the fall of the
Taliban. Mr H. says the increased supply is reducing the cost and
increasing the purity of the drug, and will lead to more street crime.

Gaza City. 9 people have been killed in the last 24 hrs, 6 in a
mysterious explosion in Gaza, and 3 by Israeli army fire in the West
Bank.  Meanwhile, Palestinian and Israeli officials are preparing to
send teams to London for a new international effort to end 29 m of
Mideast violence.  The Palestinian delegates are carrying a letter
from Yassar Arafat to Brit PM Tony Blair in which the Palestinian
leader affirms his intention to appoint a PM.  This would fulfil a
key demand of the US and other mediators.

Melbourne. Vic firefighters will continue to take advantage of cooler
weather today as they try to surround a massive blaze with burn-back
operations. Work has begun on back burning operations from the Yalmy
Road containment line in far E Gippsland, to protect the Bendoc,
Delegate River, Bonang, Goongerah, Deddick Valley and Dellicknora
area.  A rep said they're working towards the containment of the
massive Bogong Complex fire which is still burning in the Gippsland
region and into NSW.

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

(*) 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.

*** I think I hear The Leader comming! ***