WORLD On 1 June, hundreds of children from over 50 countries reach the International Labour Organization in Geneva at the end of a global march against child labour. The march has been going on in various cities around the world for six months.

YUGOSLAVIA The crisis in Kosovo comes closer to full-scale civil war as Serb artillery attacks ethnic Albanian villages, meeting increased resistance from the secessionist Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Over 10,000 ethnic Albanian refugees flee into neighbouring Albania. Sanctions imposed by Europe and the US fail to influence the Serbs, and there is discussion of possible NATO intervention.

EAST TIMOR Indonesian President BJ Habibie begins moves to end the 23-year guerrilla war in the illegally occupied territory of East Timor. The deal on offer includes a degree of autonomy for East Timor and the release of jailed rebel leader Xanana Gusmao in exchange for Timorese acceptance of Indonesian rule. Timorese leaders reject the deal and continue to call for a referendum on self-determination.

COLOMBIA Presidential elections are won by Andres Pastrana of the Conservative Party, on a manifesto of political reform, economic regeneration and an end to 34 years of civil conflict. Reports of atrocities by left- and right-wing terror groups continue, the violence often directed against civilians.

NIGERIA Military dictator General Sani Abacha dies unexpectedly of a heart attack, to be immediately replaced by army chief-of-staff General Abdulsalam Abubakar. Abacha’s death gives rise to renewed calls for democracy and for the release of Moshood Abiola, winner of the annulled 1993 presidential elections. Abubakar opens a dialogue with opposition groups and releases nine political prisoners.

KOREA South Korea calls for an end to sanctions against its neighbour and moves to renew relations. North Korea rejects these political overtures, but is forced by its continuing famine to introduce free-market reforms in agriculture.

ARGENTINA Former dictator Jorge Rafael Videla is arrested and charged with having a role in the kidnapping and illegal adoption of children of torture victims during Argentina’s ‘dirty war’ between 1976 and 1983.

AFGHANISTAN The Government closes down 100 private girls’ schools. In Taliban-controlled areas of the country, education for girls over eight is forbidden and schools must only teach the Qur’an.

EUROPE/CARIBBEAN Following complaints to the World Trade Organization (WTO) by the US and major banana-producing countries in Latin America, the European Union is forced to reform its preferential tariff agreements on banana imports from former colonies, mostly in the Caribbean. Aid agencies warn that this could lead to a steep rise in poverty in such countries.

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