The Headlines, January 8, 2003

• Britain Calls Up Reservists
• U.N. Inspectors Extend Reach With Aircraft – Element of Surprise
• After Calls On Turkey, U.S. Put On Hold
• A Day Of Firsts – Bill, or is it William?
• Call For Vast Changes in Focus Of Federal Agencies
• House GOP Softens Its Ethics Rules
• After The Storm - Friedman

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The Stories




BRITAIN CALLS UP RESERVISTS FOR POSSIBLE IRAQ ACTION

Warren Hoge, in the New York Times, reports that Prime Minister Tony Blair told a group of diplomats that “standing by the US is ‘massively’ in British self-interest.” Blair also promised to convince Bush to broaden the agenda to include Mideast peace. At the same time, Britain called 1,500 reservists to active duty “for possible military action against Iraq” and reinforced its naval forces in the Persian Gulf.

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U.N. INSPECTORS EXTEND REACH WITH AIRCRAFT

A piece by Rajiv Chandresekaran for the Washington Post, sub-headed: Mobility Enhances Element of Surprise at Iraqi Sites. “The start of air transport for the U.N. team, and eventually surveillance from the air, heightened the elements of drama, speed and intrusion in the U.N. inspections, which have shifted into high gear as the experts face a Jan. 27 deadline to deliver a progress report to the Security Council”

The weapons inspectors were rapidly building their capabilities in-country during this period.

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AFTER CALLS ON TURKEY, U.S. PUT ON HOLD

“More than six months after the United States approached Turkey for permission to examine military bases here for possible use against Iraq, “ public opposition has influence the government to postpone a decision “on a U.S. request to station as many as 80,000 combat troops in Turkey as part of the regional buildup for a possible war” in Iraq. Reported by Karl Vick in the Washington Post.

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A DAY OF FIRSTS – Bill, or is it William?

On his first day as Senate Majority Leader, Senator Frist contemplates the big question. Should the nameplate on the door to his new suite of offices read simply “Bill Frist,” or perhaps “William H. Frist, MD.” Reported by David Firestone for the NYT.

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PANEL CALLS FOR VAST CHANGES IN FOCUS OF FEDERAL AGENCIES

A commission led by Paul Volker recommended Bush be given authority for a “sweeping reorganization of federal government, suggests that Congress “streamline presidential appointments” and “ease some Watergate-era ethics rules and financial disclosure requirements.”

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HOUSE GOP SOFTENS ITS ETHICS RULES – Common Cause objects

Juliet Eilperin reported for the WP that Republicans proposed a so-called “pizza rule,” allowing lobbyists to pay for food and refreshments for Congressional staff. Another change would charitable organizations cover the costs incurred by Senators and Representative who travel to events that benefit the charities. Eilperin reported that “Common Cause's [Don Simon] said this would return Congress to an era where lawmakers traveled to lavish resorts, often to play golf for free.”

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AFTER THE STORM - Friedman

“Here's a prediction: In the end, 9/11 will have a much bigger impact on the Arab and Muslim worlds than it does on America.” Tom Friedman, in the NYT, predicts 9/11 will lead to political and economic reform of the Middle East.

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