International Events in December 1997
2nd Dec
Mr. Earl Spencer, brother of Princess Diana, settles acrimonious
divorce battle. This ends days of humiliating claim and counter-
claims in South Africa court.
Pakistan President Mr. Farooq Leghari, announces his resignation. He would quit ``on principle'' rather than sign ``summary'' from government denotifying Chief Justice, Mr. Sajjad Ali Shah.
3th Dec
Pakistan acting President, Mr. Wasim Sajjad, appoints Mr. Justice
Ajmal Mian acting Chief Justice.
4th Dec
Nepalese Gurkha regiments who have served British Army for nearly
two centuries, honoured with bronze memorial unveiled by Queen
Elizabeth II.
Canada becomes first nation to sign Ottawa convention that bans use, transfer, production and stockpiling of anti-personnel mines. Prime Minister, Mr. Jean Chretein says Canada would establish $71-million fund to implement the treaty.
6th Dec
United Nations Industrial Development Organisation's Awards
Committee presents 1996/1997 individual award for outstanding
performance to Dr. Jebamalai Vinanchiarachi ``for extraordinary
work on industrial development review publications and on project
for agro-industry in Nigeria''.
Space shuttle Columbia's astronauts return to earth following two-week science mission on enquiry awaiting them because of botched satellite release. Columbia and its crew of six including India-born Kalpana Chawla swooped through a clear chilly sky and landed on runway at Kennedy space centre. Astronauts save runaway $10-million satellite by catching it with their hands.
At least, 150 persons are feared killed and as many wounded in Russia's worst plane accident. Military cargo jet crashes into a residential area in Siberian town.
Russian Parliament approves the 1998 budget after unprecedented intervention by President, Mr. Boris Yeltsin, persuading communists to revise decision to vote against it.
8th Dec
Chinese-made Long March 2C rocket successfully places two
satellites made by U.S. company Motorola, into orbit. They will
form part of iridium network for providing wireless telephone
data and paging services anywhere on planet.
Dissension among 160 countries at Kyoto meet discussing average greenhouse gas emissions target of 5.2 per cent. It puts off hard decisions to next conference in Buenos Aires. The creation of compliance mechanism is put off till next year.
11th Dec
British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, welcomes Sinn Fein
leaders to 10, Downing Street for first time after 76 years.
Sitting opposite Mr. Gerry Adams and Mr. Martin McGuinness, he
challenges them to ``look him in the eye' and say they remain
committed to seeking peaceful settlement.
12th Dec
World's famous terrorist Carlos (Illich Ramirez Sanchez) known as
`The Jackal' goes on trial in Paris for killing two French
policemen in 1975. In 1992 he was tried and condemned in
absentia, to life imprisonment.
17th Dec
Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S.
Secretary of State, Ms. Madeleine Albright, begin talks in Paris
on stalled peace process between Israel and Palestinians.
19th Dec
India's new High Commissioner, Mr. Shiv Shankar Menon, presents
credentials to Sri Lankan President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga,
in Colombo.
U.N. Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan's proposals aimed at revitalising world body, receive unexpected endorsement from general membership. A ``Committee of the whole'' approves creation of new post of Deputy Secretary-General.
20th Dec
Within 24 hours of election as South Korea's new President, Mr.
Kim Dae-Jung meets the man he replaced and agrees to grant
amnesty to two former Presidents and their associates who are in
jail for mutiny, corruption and treason.
Five South Africans of Indian origin are among top ten in list of 60 members whose election to ANC's National Executive Committee is announced.
21st Dec
British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, sets target date of 1999
to implement far-reaching reform of London Parliament: abolition
of House of Lords in present form.
25th Dec
Former Zambian President, Mr. Kenneth Kaunda, is placed under
detention under emergency regulations in force since attempted
coup in October. Mr. Kaunda goes on hunger-strike.