News stories by IPS Correspondents, page 52

BRUSSELS, Dic 02 (IPS) - After two and a half years of watching a war fought to stop Serbia from swallowing up three-quarters of Bosnia-Hercegovina into a 'Greater Serbia' a defeated West is now seriously considering giving up and granting them their wish.

WASHINGTON, Dic 02 (IPS) - U.S. President Bill Clinton Thursday made a key concession to the Pentagon and Republican critics, announcing that he wants to increase spending on the Pentagon by 25 billion dollars over the next several years.

MEXICO CITY, Dic 02 (IPS) - Newly inaugurated Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo called for major political reforms on Thursday, including radical changes to the judicial system, improved ethics in the public sector, and more stress on the fight against poverty.

TAIPEI, Dic 02 (IPS) - Shiao Yi-Hsiu is well aware of China's threat to invade Taiwan to force reunification with the mainland if necessary, but he says Taiwan should still declare independence from Beijing.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dic 02 (IPS) - Malaysia's mammoth Bakun Dam has yet to rise amid the lush greenery of eastern state of Sarawak but it has already chalked up a number of firsts.

NEW DELHI, Dic 02 (IPS) - TEN YEARS AFTER UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION OF THE U.S. INFLICTED THE WORLD'S WORST INDUSTRIAL DISASTER UPON THE PEOPLE OF BHOPAL, THERE ARE SERIOUS DOUBTS WHETHER INDIA'S POLICY-MAKERS HAVE LEARNT ANY LESSONS FROM THE CATASTROPHE AND ITS AFTERMATH.

BEIJING, Dic 02 (IPS) - It will be take place in Beijing almost a year yet, but Zheng Xiaoying can hardly wait for the Fourth U.N. World Conference on Women to start.

ROME, Dic 02 (IPS) - The agreement on pension reforms drawn up between the Italian government and labour unions on Thursday drew praise from a broad sector.

YAMOUSSOUKRO, COTE D'IVOIRE, Dic 02 (IPS) - THE DEVASTATING DISEASE OF RIVER BLINDNESS IS NO LONGER THE PUBLIC HEALTH SCOURGE IT ONCE WAS IN AFRICA.

MOSCOW, Dic 01 (IPS) - Russia hopes to bag one billion dollars each month in private foreign investment, but economic and political uncertainties cloud chances of achieving that target.