Scientists Accuse White House of Distorting Facts

posted by admin on Wednesday February 18, @07:10PM

By JAMES GLANZ
Published: February 18, 2004

The Bush administration has deliberately and systematically distorted scientific fact in the service of policy goals on the environment, health, biomedical research and nuclear weaponry at home and abroad, a group of about 60 influential scientists, including 20 Nobel laureates, said in a statement issued today.

The sweeping charges were later discussed in a conference call with some of the scientists that was organized by the Union of Concerned Scientists, an independent organization that focuses on technical issues and has often taken stands at odds with administration policy. The organization also issued a 37-page report today that it said detailed the accusations.

Together, the two documents accuse the administration of repeatedly censoring and suppressing reports by its own scientists, stacking advisory committees with unqualified political appointees, disbanding government panels that provide unwanted advice, and refusing to seek any independent scientific expertise in some cases.

"Other administrations have, on occasion, engaged in such practices, but not so systematically nor on so wide a front," the statement from the scientists said, adding that they believed the administration had "misrepresented scientific knowledge and misled the public about the implications of its policies."

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International: Musharraf retains ties with N Korea despite nuclear scandal

posted by admin on Wednesday February 18, @06:45PM

By Andrew Ward in Seoul
Published: February 19 2004 4:00 | Last Updated: February 19 2004 4:00

Diplomats in Seoul said the US was privately putting pressure on Pakistan to provide information about Mr Khan's dealings with North Korea, to strengthen its negotiating position in next week's talks. "The big question is how much information has the US got from Pakistan?" said a senior Asian official.

"Washington needs to present some evidence that proves the HEU programme beyond doubt. "I am worried that the talks could be derailed by a clash over HEU."

Pyongyang's denials that it possesses an HEU programme have emerged as a serious obstacle to the diplomatic process because the US will not accept any settlement to end the nuclear crisis unless it includes dismantlement of the uranium enrichment facilities.

North Korea admits operating a plutonium-based nuclear programme and has offered to freeze it in return for economic rewards from the US. But Pyongyang has refused to discuss the alleged HEU programme.

It was the US allegation in October 2002 that North Korea was developing a clandestine HEU programme that caused the collapse of a 1994 arms-control deal, under which the plutonium-based facilities had been frozen. Since then, North Korea has withdrawn from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and resumed production and reprocessing of plutonium, with some estimates that Pyongyang could now possess enough nuclear material for up to eight bombs.

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International: My pact is with Germany, Chirac tells Blair

posted by admin on Wednesday February 18, @06:04PM

Tony Blair's strategic ambition to position Britain as an equal partner with France and Germany at the heart of an expanded Europe was publicly rebuffed at the Berlin summit last night by President Jacques Chirac.

With the prime minister a few feet away as the EU's "big three" grappled to generate fresh momentum for the sluggish European economy, Mr Chirac insisted that the Franco-German relationship is "very specific" - and not for export.

"It is not something that can be transposed or exported in the short term. It is a very intense relationship which is illustrated by regular contacts, daily contacts between government and public officials," he reminded Mr Blair.

With TV cameras on him Mr Blair took the first chance he could to say he "totally agrees about the Franco-German relationship. It is a very specific relationship". But the three countries can and will work closely together for the common benefit of all Europe, he said. "There should not be any sensitivity about this, any sense of exclusivity," Mr Blair emphasised.

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International: France May Send Troops to Quell Haiti Uprising

posted by admin on Tuesday February 17, @08:13AM

France may send troops to its strife torn former colony Haiti but first wants President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to push for talks to calm the country’s uprising.

The international community, including France, is ready to mobilise but “that supposes a spurt of effort by Haiti’s political class, that President Aristide commits himself to a respect of civil peace. That’s his first responsibility,” French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said today.

France has military resources at its overseas territories in the Caribbean near Haiti that could be rapidly deployed in the event of an emergency and a decision to intervene, de Villepin said.

Aristide has appealed for international help to quell the uprising that has killed more than 50 people and destabilised the country. Rebels have taken control of parts of the north and centre of Haiti.

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911: Prosecutor in Terror Case Sues Ashcroft

posted by admin on Tuesday February 17, @07:31AM

By JOHN SOLOMON, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - A federal prosecutor in a major terrorism case in Detroit has taken the rare step of suing Attorney General John Ashcroft, alleging the Justice Department interfered with the case, compromised a confidential informant and exaggerated results in the war on terrorism.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Convertino of Detroit accused the Justice Department of "gross mismanagement" of the war on terrorism in a whistleblower lawsuit filed late Friday in federal court in Washington.

Justice officials said Tuesday they had not seen the suit and had no comment.

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