Discussion of the topic in a “fireside” format should keep the lid on outright disagreement. But the philosophical divide remains between the the Anglo-Saxon emphasis on flexibility and competition, and the more statist, interventionist policies favoured by Japan and most West European countries. The challenge is immense, to ensure stable and more numerous jobs in an era of globalisation and ever- expanding information technology The goal is disputed by no one – but the means are. But, given the weight it wields within the IMF, its views will carry enormous weight.EMPLOYMENTThis, with international financial crime, is one of the “big- picture” issues. Thus far, Burkina Faso, Bolivia, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Guyana, and Uganda have secured firm commitments for relief under the programme The hope is to extend it to everyone by 2000. Germany is unhappy with more generalised debt relief and there are deep differences between “hawks”, who believe debt assistance will do nothing to encourage profligate and corrupt countries to mend their ways, and “doves”, for whom the moral imperative of debt relief overrides all else The G8 decisions will not be binding.

These, however, are unlikely to be anywhere near as ambitious as demanded by aid agencies and the Third World countries involved. The most likely step is a promise to help all highly indebted poor countries (HIPCs) to become part of the HIPC initiative agreed at the Lyon G7 summit of 1996, with a focus on countries trying to rebuild after war, and on ensuring aid and export credits are used “productively”. The Eight will be combining incentives for Pakistan with warnings that if it defies world opinion it will pay the same price as .
INDONESIAThere is little the Eight can do about the chaos other than urge restraint by all sides. Any public pressure on President Suharto to step down could be counter-productive and might be overtaken by events. The G8 will merely reiterate the needthat political and social reform must accompany economic reform. The main concern is to promote dialogue and avert a total collapse of public order, which could trigger a fresh, devastating loss of international confidence in Asian markets.THIRD WORLD DEBTTony Blair has promised “concrete measures” to reduce the debt burden on the poorest countries. The leaders, however, are concentrating at least as much on preventing Pakistan from matching ’s tests.

India

THE eight are united in outrage at the n nuclear tests this week but divided in their response. While the US and Japan have imposed sanctions and Canada is of a similar mind, Russia and France are opposed Britain will not bring in unilateral sanctions. As host, it will seek “maximum level of agreement” during last night’s summit inaugural dinner, at which was heading the agenda. The council’s lawyers declined, especially over a “finding of fault” against Mr Bundred. She was offered the post of director of leisure and community services, which would have meant a drop in salary.It was an offer that she could – and did – refuse. And that’s how some of the most highly paid people in Britain found themselves in Room 11 last week with the gloves off.And there are more embarrassing battles to come with two further sexual discrimination cases against Camden due this year I wonder what Blair’s Babes will have to say about that.. Measures include the recall of ambassadors, as Britain has done.

He offered “marriage guidance” in the form of a trip to Acas. Ms Kelly thought not.Instead, she issued a list of 12 demands. They included that Mr Bundred apologise, that her branch be taken out of the chief executive’s department, that she be treated like male officers and that she receive pounds 5,000 compensation and costs. Among them is Dennis Skinner, the son of the “Beast of Bolsover” MP. He is an assistant chief executive and Ms Kelly has previously claimed he was allowed to be “extremely rude” to her by Mr Bundred.We will also hear more from council leader Richard Arthur who was drafted in late last year to try and resolve the battle.

“He was given a nice easy way out of the council,” said Ms Kelly, “despite the fact a massive fraud had been perpetrated. Yet I was threatened with dismissal over matters I have yet to understand.”Ms Kelly believes Mr Bundred treated her more as a dogsbody than a deputy. By last summer their relationship had deteriorated with Mr Bundred sent her two letters setting out his grievances. They are full of the kind of thing that has made local government infamous.At one point he suggests she may need to be “re-energised” by seconding her to “another public body”. Sub- headings within one letter include “Undermining of Me”, “Belittling the Achievements of Others” and “Persistent Pursuit of Self-Interest Above Other Considerations”.Expect much more of the same over the next few weeks, although the cast of characters will be expanded on.