Vol. 2 No. 7

December 2003
General File
  U.N. adopts anti-corruption treaty

United Nations - November 1, 2003 - In a major boost to International efforts to fight corruption, the U.N. General Assembly has adopted a landmark anti-corruption treaty with the consensus of 191-member Assembly, which makes it mandatory for countries ratifying it to return stolen assets, outlaw bribery and requires politicians to declare campaign finance. It asks the parties to the treaty to cooperate in investigation into corruption charges and prosecution of the culprits, and prevention of corruption in both private and public sectors. It will open for signature at a high level political conference in Mexico, and come into force and become part of international law 90 days after 30th country deposits it instruments of ratification. December 9 will be observed as Anti-Corruption Day every year.

The Hindu - November 2, 2003.

Nambiar appointed by UN to study global threats

United Nations - November 5, 2003 - Retd. Lt. Gen. Satish Nambiar is among 16 members of a high-level panel appointed by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to identify new global security threats to world peace and security, which would be headed Mr. Anand Panyarachun, former Prime Minister of Thailand. The panel will also make recommendations for the "elements of a collective response".

The Asian Age - November 6, 2003.

Food For Thought

Before we acquire great power, we must acquire wisdom to use it well.

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An error becomes a mistake only when you refuse to correct it.

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Hearing is with the ears, but listening is with the mind.

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The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live.