Romanian military looks to future amid turbulent economic times

Romania's armed forces set sights on modernization, integration into NATO

In this story: Mozambique devastation captures attention of world's broadcasters Candidates launch eye-popping spots on Taiwan's airwaves Women's achievements, hurdles focus of global observance Sea goddess festival draws revelers to Uruguayan beaches RELATED STORIES, SITES

By Kevin Grieves
CNN World Report

There's strife going on in Romania's military sector, but no actual shots are being fired in this conflict. Instead, the conflict centers on revamping the country's defense industry, which has remained under a government monopoly since the fall of communism in 1989. Falling defense orders have put some 80 percent of workers in munitions and aircraft plants temporarily out of work in the past several months, and thousands of those workers recently took to the streets of Bucharest in protest.

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Romania faces another challenge related to its military: The Balkan country must also develop its armed forces into a modern body, thereby paving the way to much-anticipated full NATO membership. Romania hopes to enter NATO during the next wave of eastward expansion in 2002.

Romanian Television told CNN World Report viewers about one unit at the forefront of what Romania hopes will be the army of the future. Romanian Television cameras captured Battalion 81, dubbed "Quick Reaction Brigade," on maneuver recently in the hills of the Transylvania region.

Battalion 81 is designed to be able to deploy rapidly, using light weapons, and face a variety of complex situations. That mobility is a characteristic of recent NATO missions in areas such as Kosovo. Romanian Television reporter Nicolae Melinescu says getting the army unit on par with NATO military capabilities is a primary goal of the Quick Reaction Brigade's leaders. "The major objective is to create confidence and compatibility, the proof that such a unit can carry on combat and noncombat missions within international forces," Melinescu said.

The images of people desperately clinging to trees as floodwaters swirl around them have captivated the attention of television viewers around the world. As international aid begins to make its way to the flood victims, the magnitude of the disaster is becoming apparent.

Portugal's RTP gave CNN World Report viewers a bird's-eye perspective of the scope of the damage, flying over some of the hardest-hit areas by helicopter. RTP cameras showed sections of roads washed away by the raging waters. RTP reporter Jose Rodrigues dos Santos observed that the United Nations once held up Mozambique's infrastructure as a regional example. "It will now take some years for Mozambique to recover from the shambles," he said.

Firm footholds disappear as Mozambique man battles raging floodwaters

South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reporter Robyn Curnow has been on the ground in Maputo, covering the flood and the efforts of the international community to get aid to the victims. Curnow reported from Maputo International Airport, where most of the international aid is arriving. She told viewers that at times, more than 200 aircraft were taking off and landing per day. Air traffic controllers are overwhelmed by the volume of traffic, and rudimentary communications systems and lack of radar add to the challenges of safely routing the planes.

Curnow then joined CNN World Report by telephone from the ground in Mozambique, where she reported that receding floodwaters are exposing a new, deadly worry: disease. Curnow said reported cases of malaria had tripled, and that Mozambique is also experiencing a rise in cholera following the flooding. "Many people sat in trees for days, so they are physically weak," she said. "Because they're weak, they're more susceptible to diseases."

The storm systems that carried the torrential rains to Mozambique also brought misery and suffering to Namibia, in southwestern Africa. A camera crew from CNN World Report contributor Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) caught the fateful final moments of one woman on tape: Raging waters rushing through the streets of the capital, Windhoek, swept the woman to her death, as bystanders were unable to rescue her.

The southern Namibian town of Mariental is trying to recover after several days inundated by floodwaters. Residents went for days without electricity, and property damage was widespread. "Many people, especially those who didn't have insurance for their belongings will have to start from scratch," said NBC reporter Menesia Muinjo.

	VIDEO
TVBS reporter Jason Blatt reports on political ads in Taiwan that are awash with creative takes on politics. QuickTime Play Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

People are bombarded by "in-your-face" commercials whenever they turn on a television set; from automobiles to sport shoes to shampoo, advertisers clamor for the public's attention. In Taiwan, candidates for president are finding that they, too must draw on some creative techniques to stand out from the crowd as they roll out campaign advertisements.

Taiwan's TVBS shared some examples of those political campaign ads with CNN World Report viewers; the commercials featured attention-grabbing visuals and a hard-hitting message to go along with the images. And, as TVBS reporter Jason Blatt showed, some of the new commercials pull no punches in criticizing the candidates' opponents.

West Bank women rally for Palestinian statehood

Countries around the world put women in the spotlight on March 8 as this year's International Women's Day rolled around. Several CNN World Report contributors examined some of the issues and problems facing women in today's society, some of which are rooted in centuries-old attitudes and customs.

United Nations Television (UNTV) transported viewers to the West Bank, where women have been active in the struggle for Palestinian statehood. UNTV noted that some of those women have been visible on the frontlines of the fight for a Palestinian state, but other women have paid dearly for the cause when their sons or husbands have been arrested -- or lost their lives.

One woman who has been very visible in Palestinian affairs is Hanan Ashrawi. Ashrawi has served as Palestinian spokeswoman and as Palestinian education minister. UNTV says she is outspoken about the role of women in Palestinian society and in the fight for statehood. "If a nation is fighting for self-determination, it cannot withhold self-determination from half its people," Ashrawi says.

Uruguayan beach is illuminated by candles dedicated to sea goddess

World attention focused recently on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as Carnival celebrants let loose before the Christian observance of Lent. But revelers in neighboring Uruguay marked another holiday, one that flourishes under the wary eye of the Catholic Church. Uruguay's Saeta TV reported on the Iemanja celebration, which draws crowds onto the beaches near Montevideo.

Saeta TV reporter Fernanda Cabrera Subrayado explained that Iemanja is the name of the goddess of the sea in the Umbanda religion, a belief of African slaves brought to the Americas. Those slaves maintained the rituals and beliefs as a way to preserve some of their cultural heritage, but adopted certain elements of Catholicism to make their faith less threatening to powerful church officials.

Today's Catholic Church neither condemns nor embraces the practice of Iemanja. But Subrayado says the colorful Iemanja celebrations find plenty of resonance among Uruguayans, who gather on the beaches to light candles in honor of the sea goddess.

CNN World Report contributors

Myanmar denies lax stance on Golden Triangle narcotics
March 06, 2000
South Africa grapples with charges of racism in military
February 25, 2000
Belgians bridle under legacy of Waterloo showdown
February 18, 2000
Brazilian children take up cause of cleaner surroundings
February 11, 2000
Slovenia extends helping hand to Kosovo refugees
February 4, 2000
China pledges commitment to freedom of worship
January 24, 2000
Angolan strife spurs wave of refugee flight
January 17, 2000

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