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Editorials: From Singapore to Milan to Tel Aviv Straits Times, Singapore on profits of misfortune While the richer parts of the world are fixated on security and weapons of mass destruction, the poorest regions have no security from epidemics of mass destruction. It is not just HIV/Aids, which now colors half the world red two decades since humankind learnt about the virus. Malaria would not go away because a vaccine is hard to develop, and tuberculosis is making a comeback. These three ailments of the wildfire variety account for 13,000 deaths daily in the least-developed and developing countries, according to one estimate. Crucially, this is an issue of prevention and control with affordable drugs, although research to stop HIV and malaria in their tracks continues. The HIV drug cocktail costs US$300 a year per patient if generic versions are used, but brand-name ones cost 10 times that amount. This is the great divide between commerce and morality. Corriere della Sera, Milan, Italy on North Korean threat Throughout history despotic governments have tended to unleash the disasters of their own domestic affairs on a foreign enemy. North Korea represents an extreme case of this phenomenon. It has announced the reopening of a nuclear center, expelled international inspectors and rejected the anti-nuclear agreement. Many agree that Kim Jong II is attempting to extort economic concessions from the United States and the international community to avoid humiliation and increase his power. Kim Jong II is said to be obsessed by potential economic collapse, especially when faced with economic development in South Korea. This is not surprising when the average North Korean barely earns $706 in a year, famine still leaves incalculable victims in spite of humanitarian aid from the U.N., China and Europe and electricity is rationed. Nevertheless, North Korea's military expenses absorb 27.5 percent of the state budget. Today the North Korean question is more dangerous than Iraq. U. S. President George W. Bush included North Korea among the rogue states some time ago, somehow implying that after Saddam, he would have to confront Kim. But now he makes amends, saying: "It is better to talk with Pyongyang and punish Baghdad. Haaretz, Tel Aviv on the right-wing line A week before Knesset elections it would be reasonable to expect that the prime minister, seeking a vote of confidence from the people, would make his positions clear about the issues at the top of the national agenda. Political slogans along the lines of "painful concessions for peace" and even a general readiness to recognize a Palestinian state have not helped to end violence, and have not brought a renewal of peace talks any closer. Sharon had comments published yesterday in Newsweek: "The Quartet is nothing! Don't take it seriously! I don't think the United States takes it seriously." ... A leader seeking a solution does not call "nothing" a forum that includes the foreign ministers of the United States and Russia, the leaders of the European Union, and the secretary general of the United Nations, when they have joined forces to find a way to settle the Middle East conflict. It is not diplomatically polite, let alone politically wise, to turn one's back on such a group. ... Sharon's open contempt for the EU, Russia, and the UN will make it difficult for Washington to deal with their demand that Israel be presented with the road map after the elections. The U.S. may soon need the support of members of the UN Security Council and the cooperation of Europe and the Arab states for an assault on Iraq. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -