European Leaders Harshly Critical of Bush 'Axis of Evil' Speech Fears expressed that U.S. unilateralism will undermine fight against terrorism

Interview by Between the Lines' Scott Harris.

In his State of the Union address delivered before Congress on Jan. 29th, President Bush singled out three nations: Iraq, Iran, North Korea, and their terrorist allies who he stated "constitute an axis of evil -- arming to threaten the peace of the world." The president went on to say that the U.S. must act against these regimes to deny them "the materials, technology and expertise" to make weapons of mass destruction.

While the president did not specify what actions America would take to achieve his goals, the governments which Mr. Bush threatened reacted with anger and charged that the accusations leveled against them were baseless. But long-time U.S. allies in Europe were also critical of the bellicose tone of the speech. French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin warned that neither American unilateralism or military means alone will reduce the threat of terrorism. Chris Patten, the European Union's commissioner for international relations and former chairman of Britain's Conservative Party, accused the Bush administration of a dangerously "absolutist and simplistic" stance towards the rest of the world. This criticism comes as U.S. military advisors have been deployed to the Philippines and speculation grows about a future U.S. assault on Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Bill Hartung director of the Arms Trade Research Center at the World Policy Institute, who questions the effectiveness of the U.S. war against terrorism and world reaction to president Bush's axis of evil comments(A RealAudioVersion of this interview may be found At www.btlonline.org).

Contact the World Policy Institute by calling (212) 229-5808 or visit their Web site at www.worldpolicy.org


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Between The Lines for the Week Ending February 22, 2002

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This week we present Between The Lines' summary of under-reported news stories and:

> European Leaders Harshly Critical of Bush 'Axis of Evil' Speech Interview by Scott Harris.

Bill Hartung, director of the Arms Trade Research Center at the World Policy Institute, questions the effectiveness of the U.S. war against terrorism and world reaction to president Bush's axis of evil comments.

> White House Uses Backdoor Strategy to Eliminate Environmental Regulations Interview by Melinda Tuhus.

Abigail Dillen, an attorney with Earth Justice, a public interest law firm with headquarters in San Francisco and regional offices around the country. Dillen, who is based in Bozeman, Mont., examines the tactics used by the Bush administration in dealing with environmental law and the harm, which she believe has been the result.

>Enron Payoff to Journalists Reveals Corruption in Media System Interview by Scott Harris.

Peter Hart, an analyst with the media watch group Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, who takes a look at the ethical questions raised by these journalists' relationship with Enron and the favorable coverage which may have been purchased.

>This week's summary of under-reported news
Compiled by Rich Fraser and Bob Nixon
Plight of female children forced into combat is largely ignored by nations assisting with disarming and demobilizing child soldiers.

Fallout from Enron's aggressive financing techniques have been felt halfway across the world, most notably in India.

Fear drives public's resistance to reintroducing the grey wolf in forests of northern New England.

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