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Strategies & Market Trends : Asia Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Rolla Coasta who wrote (9896)	1/31/2001 11:41:37 PM
From: Rolla Coasta	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9980

Australia's far-right One Nation may rise from the ashes special.scmp.com The xenophobic One Nation party, thought to be dead and buried, may get a chance to rise from the ashes in two state ballots this month, flying the flag for Australians opposed to Asian immigration and for those who want the freedom to own guns. Political analysts said One Nation, led by anti-foreigner firebrand Pauline Hanson, was likely to dip into rural discontent with Prime Minister John Howard's conservative Liberal/National coalition and return to the political stage with a vengeance. "I think the view that One Nation was dead and buried was always hope triumphing over reason," John Warhurst, professor of political science at the Australian National University, said. "Evidence of (the party's) collapse is there ... but I would not be surprised if there still was a substantial pool of support, if not for One Nation itself then at least for the positions it represents," he told Reuters on Thursday. Western Australia, run by a Liberal/National coalition, goes to the ballot on February 10 to elect a new premier. Queensland, known as the "sunshine state," and ruled by the centre-left Labor Party, votes on February 17. The state elections will precede a federal election expected to be called later this year, when Howard will be seeking a third consecutive term at the helm of the vast island continent. SPENT FORCE OR DORMANT GIANT? One Nation, campaigning against Asian immigration, for looser gun controls and for an end to what it terms as privileges for Aborigines, took 25 percent of the Queensland state vote in 1998. In the federal election the same year, it won one million votes and elected a federal senator. But the party imploded as all of its elected Queensland members of parliament resigned, defected or were sacked, as the red-headed Hanson and her allies feuded and brawled, and as its only senator was disqualified. Yet disillusion among One Party supporters may not be as deep as political pundits argue in writing Hanson off. "Expect One Nation to vote extremely strong," Gary Gray, a former president of the Labor Party, told a seminar organised earlier this week by the Sydney Institute. Political analysts said the country vote, where One Nation finds its stronghold, harboured a deep resentment against Howard due to a perception that "the bush" had been let down by the parties it traditionally supported. The coalition has been blamed for banks closing rural branches, telephone company Telstra centralising its operations in metropolitan areas, and for tightening up gun controls. One Nation is fielding candidates in all the Western Australia districts. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Thursday that an opinion poll had found support for One Nation at 46 percent in one Western Australia district. Howard and the main opposition Australian Labor Party ganged up against One Nation in the federal vote of 1998, and can be expected to do the same in this year's general election, political analysts said. In the past few years, both government and opposition have also tried to win the hearts of One Nation supporters by taking a tough stand on illegal immigrants, and in Labor's case, by toning down support for Aborigines. Some analysts, like the Australian Defence Force Academy's Malcolm Mackerras, think the One Nation threat is overblown. "Sure they will do better than expected," Mackerras said. "But that doesn't mean much. They will not win seats in either (state) parliament (in Queensland or Western Australia)."

To: Rolla Coasta who wrote (9896)	2/4/2001 10:59:04 AM
From: CIMA	Respond to of 9980

China's Ministry of Public Security ordered the formation of riot police squads that will receive better equipment and training, including handling mass disorders and terrorist cases. Beijing wants to better prepare itself for coping with growing social and ethnic unrest in the country. Chinese authorities also aim at creating police units able to respond with measured force to various challenges. While continuing on the path of economic reform, Beijing seems to foresee growing social protest turning to major violence and has introduced special police forces as a means to tackle the problem. Analysis China's Ministry of Public Security ordered a substantial buildup of specially trained riot police, according to Xinhua. The units, similar to American Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) forces, will also be trained for anti-terrorist and hostage operations and mine clearing. Squads of at least 300 members are to be formed in major municipalities like Beijing and Shanghai, while 200-member squads are required for provincial capitals. Other important cities have been mandated to organize anti-riot police units for their needs. China has had an anti-riot police force in the past, yet it was relatively weak in training and equipment. The enhancement orders reveal two of the Chinese government's key concerns for the near future. First, Beijing fears public unrest is going to accelerate - and with it social instability - requiring a swift and efficient reaction. Second, Beijing is concerned about its international image, particularly in the area of human rights. Balancing these concerns, a key problem a decade ago during the Tiananmen Square demonstrations, will be a major challenge for Beijing. Since the early days of China's economic opening and reform, started by former President Deng Xiaoping, Beijing has faced a dilemma: how to balance economic and social reforms without abandoning the one-party rule system. Central to this is ensuring social stability in the face of a rapidly changing Chinese economic landscape while at the same time presenting a positive image to the outside to ensure continued investment and trade. Top Chinese officials re-emphasized the importance of this in New Year speeches. ********* TO READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE CLICK HERE ********* stratfor.com ___________________________________________________________________ <<<<<<<<<<<<<< SUBSCRIBE TO BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Stratfor.com introduces new, expanded analysis for readers seeking more insight on the entire range of global affairs. Our new site features more intelligence on more subjects, easier navigation and expanded coverage. stratfor.com <<<<<<<<<<<<<< SUBSCRIBE TO BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ___________________________________________________________________ SIGN-UP: Get the free, daily Global Intelligence Update: stratfor.com You can stop receiving the GIU by clicking on: stratfor.com CONTACTS AND CUSTOMER SERVICES: STRATFOR.com 504 Lavaca, Suite 1100 Austin, TX 78701 Phone: 512-583-5000 Internet: stratfor.com Email: info@stratfor.com ADVERTISE For information on advertising in the GIU or any section of the Stratfor.com website, please email us at advertising@stratfor.com ==================================================== (c) 2001 Stratfor, Inc.