The US dismissed the head the international agency charged with ridding the world of chemical weapons earlier this week. The popular Brazilian diplomat Jose Bustani had just been re-elected to a 5 year term. He had tried to get Iraq to join the organization. Critics say hardliners in Washington feared Iraq’s membership would undercut their plans to attack Iraq on the grounds that the country is keeping out international weapons inspectors.

Days before, the Bush administration ousted the head of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Robert Watson. Oil giant Exxon Mobil, who is a major contributor to the Bush campaign, had sent a memo to the White House requesting his removal.

U.N. Human Rights Commission chief Mary Robinson has agreed to step down under U.S. pressure.

Guest:

• Ian Williams, author of ??The U.N. for Beginners.

Music:

• Fear Not Of Man–Mos Def, Black on Both Sides (Rawkus Records CD).