JINN MAGAZINE

PACIFIC NEWS SERVICE

Issue No. 6.07

04/03/00 - 04/14/00

CONTENTS

VOICES: First-Person Essays Linking the Private to the Public

An Immigrant's View: Cuban Exiles Are No Empowerment Role Models
By Rene Ciria-Cruz

Coverage of the sound and fury generated by Florida's Cuban exile community over the fate of a six-year-old boy has focused on the immediate human aspects of the story. But observed in a somewhat broader context, these actions tell a more significant, and more worrisome, tale. Pacific News Service editor Rene Ciria-Cruz is also a longtime editor of Filipinas Magazine.

How Globalism Became Public Enemy Number One For Both Left And Right
By Franz Schurmann

Until recently, the left saw capitalism as its ideological enemy while for the right it was socialism. Today both left and right see globalism as their main enemy. PNS editor Franz Schurmann argues that there is more to this coming together than semantics. Schurmann is a professor emeritus of history and sociology at UC-Berkeley and author of numerous books on global politics.

HERESIES: Thinking the Unthinkable About the Future

Foreign Policy Successes Could Make Clinton Kingmaker Even After November 7
By Franz Schurmann

Chances are good President Clinton could chalk up several stunning foreign policy successes before summer begins. The biggest result would be bringing peace to a good part of the world. And peace would keep the bull market going way beyond election day. But these successes could also bring about a landslide victory for the Democrats and make them the dominant party for many years to come. As the one who brought this miracle about Clinton's power, influence and extraordinary fundraising capacities would make him the continuing leader of this new powerhouse for years to come. Franz Schurmann is professor emeritus of UC Berkeley and writes extensively on foreign and domestic issues. In his regular weekly column "Predictions" he predicted last December 7 that come April 2000 Bill Clinton would be the kingmaker of the Democratic Party.

Skip The Poles And Wires -- Changing The Way We Light Our Way May Be Our Only Hope
By Peter Asmus

The most important concern for Earth Day celebrants may be the way they think about meeting their power needs. Peter Asmus is author of the forthcoming "Reaping The Wind" to be published by Island Press this fall.

VECTORS: A Regular Column on the Ideas and Directions Behind Today's News

Michael Shadowplay -- The Reason Behind The Reason For $1.6 Billion Colombian Aid Package
By Michael T. Klare

The Clinton administration is asking for a record $1.6 billion to strengthen Colombia's military. The stated targets are narcotics traffickers and leftist guerrillas, but the real objective is literally out of sight. PNS commentator Michael T. Klare is the Five College Professor of Peace and World Security Studies based at Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass., and the author of a forthcoming book on global resource conflicts.)

School Testing Works Well For Publishers, But Its Value In Education Is Open To Question
By David Bacon

Standards and testing are this year's buzzwords when it comes to education. But a major player in this game is rarely mentioned. PNS associate editor David Bacon writes widely on immigrant and labor issues.

New Fault Lines Opening Up After Clinton's South Asia Trip
By Sherry Rahman

Whatever was intended, President Clinton's recent visit to India and Pakistan seems to have left some bitter feelings behind. PNS commentator Sherry Rehman, writing from Pakistan, sees signs of a new tilt toward India in both the visit and what has followed. A longer version of this piece appears in the Lahore, Pakistan-based publication, The Nation.

PACIFIC PULSE: The Pacific Century and Its Impact on the Americas

Letter From Cambodia -- Everything You Want -- Cheap, Cheerful And Chilling
By Andrew Lam

April 17th marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge. Today, Cambodia's capital resembles a theme park for dissolute adults. The contrast between the opulent city and the grim countryside suggests some old terrors may reappear. PNS associate editor Andrew Lam is a journalist and short story writer. (First of two parts).

Disturbing The Peace -- Troubled Minds Formed In A Troubled Time Still Plague Cambodia
By Andrew Lam

Some kinds of historical experience leave a mark that cannot easily be erased. One legacy of recent times in Cambodia is an extraordinarily high level of mental illness seen in victims of trauma -- a level so high that individual treatment is not possible. PNS associate editor Andrew Lam traveled to Cambodia on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Khmer Rouge takeover of Phnom Penh on April 7, 1975. (Second of two parts)

THE AMERICAS: The Growing Enmeshment of the U.S. and Latin Worlds

Blame Bechtel, Not Narcotraffickers, For Bolivian Uprising
By Jim Shultz

Bolivia's government blamed violent protests here this past week on narcotraffickers. In fact, the real blame lies squarely with a multinational's efforts to wrest profits from supplying water. PNS commentator Jim Shultz, executive director of The Democracy Center (www.democracyctr.org) lives in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

&Quot;Reefgate&Quot; Rattles Acapulco--Election Year Scandal Over Misuse Of Poverty Funds
By Kent Paterson

It sounded like a good idea, evidently, to a lot of people -- an inexpensive way to encourage tourists to come back to Acapulco. But the effort now dubbed "reefgate" turned into an intricate maze of deals and promises that offer a miniaturist's view of what's wrong in Mexico today. PNS correspondent Kent Paterson is an Albuquerque-based freelance journalist who writes regularly about Mexico.

In Peru's Elections The Race Card May Be The Trump Card
By Andres T. Tapia

Dangerous anger at the conduct of presidential elections in Peru -- which included premarked ballots, ballots with the opposition candidate's name cut off or covered with wax, etc. -- was calmed by announcement of a runoff election between the two leading candidates. It seems likely that the final vote will be very much based on the rarely mentioned, but crucial, question of race. PNS commentator Andres Tapia writes regularly on Peru.

MOVEMENTS: Strategies For Survival, Identity and Direction by People on the Margins

No More &Quot;Mexican Wage&Quot; -- Hunger Strikers Win A Contract At Spanish-Language Tv Station
By David Bacon

Using tactics not often seen in labor disputes, a handful of workers and their supporters in Fresno, California, have won major concession from the city's Spanish-language TV station. The strike pitted some major political figures against a grassroots support network. PNS associate editor David Bacon writes widely on immigrant and labor issues.

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