At the beginning of the 1990s, Iraq was a relatively developed Middle Eastern country with a highly developed infrastructure, a decent health care system, and one of the highest literacy rates in the region.
But the UN has overseen the economic and social devastation of Iraq. The U.S. claims that it has no gripe with the people of Iraq, and yet has insisted that UN sanctions prohibit the import to Iraq of so-called "dual use" goods - goods that can potentially be used for military purposes.
This includes staples of a modern economy such as chlorine, which is essential to water purification. Indeed, many of Iraq's children die from diarrhoea caused by drinking contaminated water.
It is ironic that the U.S. says it's pursuing war against Iraq because of chemical weapons. After all, it's the U.S. that used chemical weapons on a mass scale against Iraq - not the reverse.
"Whilst we in Britain are debating the possible hazard of Iraq acquiring biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons," writes Joanne Baker of the Pandora Depleted GREVE GERAL NUEZ Alan Thornett The onset of recession in the world economy, and its impact on the economies of Europe, is putting a strain on the Growth and Stability Pact - which governs the economies of the European Union.
The sharpest effect has been in Portugal where government budget deficit 2001 reached 4.15 euro, which is 1.1% above the maximum deficit allowed under the code.
Under heavy pressure from the European Union the new centre right government has slapped 2% on VAT and is introducing swingeing cuts in government spending
On top of this it is pushing through extensive reforms to Portugal's labour laws in order to limit the ability of the unions to fight back. These measures have won generous plaudits from the central bankers in Frankfurt.
The result was a one-day general strike on December 10th called by the 800,000 strong CGPT trade union federation. This closed down most of the public sector (public transport, fire service, hospitals and loca government) and important sections of the private sector.
Some parts of the private sector who were not involved came out in solidarity. Pickets at the Volkswagen plant claimed 80% support amongst the 3,300 strong workforce
Manual Carvalho da Silva the secretary general of the CGTP believes that Portuguese workers, and others in southern Europe are the guinea pigs for further attacks on trade union rights.
Enlargement is an issue behind the situation as well. The Portuguese government sees the creation of a more flexible labour force as necessary if Portugal is going to compete successfully with the new coun tries which will be entering the EU as a source of cheap labour.
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18 soclalst n stance February 2003 30 in the upper house of 8l.