Tuesday, July 01, 2003

Scotch Whisky Association talks tax with delegation from Turkey WILLIAM LYONS THE Scotch Whisky Association has hosted its first-ever trade delegation from Turkey this week, as part of its drive to exploit emerging markets. A group of senior Turkish officials from the ministry of tax and revenue met representatives of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) in Edinburgh to discuss ways in which the high level of duty enforced on whisky by the Turkish authorities could be reduced. Last year, exports to Turkey were worth £15.8 million, although the SWA believe that the potential is unlimited - once the tax issues are resolved. Commenting on the visit, SWA’s chief executive Hugh Morison, said: "Tackling excessive taxation and improving market access in Turkey is one of our top trade priorities. This week’s visit by Turkish officials was an opportunity for us to illustrate the benefits of taxing imported spirits at a reasonable rate. It's nice to know business keeps keeping on. Laura   7:24:43 PM    comment [] Out of the box: Thailand's winningest lady-boy By Richard S Ehrlich BANGKOK - A transvestite kick-boxer who endured vicious fights to earn money for a recent sex change is now immortalized in a film titled Beautiful Boxer. The true story of Parinya Charoenphol, who now appears as an elegant woman with long hair and a shy smile, provides a rare glimpse into the psychology of Thai transsexuals and their role in this Buddhist society. "A walking paradox: a girl trapped in a man's body, who fought like a man to become a woman," was the way Thailand's GMM Pictures and Spicy Apple Films announced the film, which is about to be released. This is such a heartwarming story, I had to share. Laura 6:40:12 PM    comment [] Asia Times is becoming an interesting news source.  Go read the "About Us" page.  Iran lines up its al-Qaeda aces By Hooman Peimani The Iranian government has confirmed the identification of some of the al-Qaeda detainees in its custody. Although it has not yet released their names, there are unconfirmed reports that they include high-ranking al-Qaeda members. If this is true, Tehran could deal a heavy blow to the group by extraditing them to their respective countries. This could give the Iranian government a bargaining chip to demand concessions not only from the respective Arab states, but also from the United States, which has so far failed to neutralize the terrorist group. ... According to Western sources, Iran has been conducting secret talks with Egypt, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia for the extradition of the al-Qaeda members. Undoubtedly, these countries should be interested in having those individuals, whose interrogation could help them dismantle the al-Qaeda network in their territories. Yet the Americans should be even more interested in putting their hands on the al-Qaeda members if they are indeed its senior members. Among others things, that could compensate to some extent for their failure to uproot al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. I predict a triumphant announcement from Rummy pretty soon.  Or maybe they'll hold it for Christmas. Laura 6:36:45 PM    comment []

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