Chapter CXX: Part 120

Togo
This small, sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on both
commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment
for 65% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be
imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton generate about 40% of export
earnings with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is the
world's fourth-largest producer of phosphate. The government's
decade-long effort, supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to
implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment,
and bring revenues in line with expenditures has moved slowly.
Progress depends on follow through on privatization, increased
openness in government financial operations, progress toward
legislative elections, and continued support from foreign donors.
Togo is working with donors to write a Poverty Reduction and Growth
Facility (PRGF) that could eventually lead to a debt reduction plan.
Economic growth remains marginal due to declining cotton production,
underinvestment in phosphate mining, and strained relations with
donors.

Tokelau
Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack
of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine
agriculture to the subsistence level. The people rely heavily on aid
from New Zealand - about $4 million annually - to maintain public
services with annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The
principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage
stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to
families from relatives in New Zealand.

Tonga
Tonga has a small, open, South Pacific island economy. It has
a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, vanilla beans,
and yams are the main crops, and agricultural exports, including
fish, make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a
high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The country
remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan
communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. Tourism is the
second-largest source of hard currency earnings following
remittances. The government is emphasizing the development of the
private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is
committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a
reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well-developed social
services. High unemployment among the young, a continuing upturn in
inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service
expenditures are major issues facing the government.

Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as
an excellent investment site for international businesses and has
one of the highest growth rates and per capita incomes in Latin
America. Recent growth has been fueled by investments in liquefied
natural gas (LNG), petrochemicals, and steel. Additional
petrochemical, aluminum, and plastics projects are in various stages
of planning. Trinidad and Tobago is the leading Caribbean producer
of oil and gas, and its economy is heavily dependent upon these
resources but it also supplies manufactured goods, notably food and
beverages, as well as cement to the Caribbean region. Oil and gas
account for about 40% of GDP and 80% of exports, but only 5% of
employment. The country is also a regional financial center, and
tourism is a growing sector, although it is not proportionately as
important as in many other Caribbean islands. The economy benefits
from a growing trade surplus. Economic growth reached 12.6% in 2006
and 5.5% in 2007 as prices for oil, petrochemicals, and LNG remained
high, and as foreign direct investment continued to grow to support
expanded capacity in the energy sector.

Tunisia
Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural,
mining, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Governmental control of
economic affairs while still heavy has gradually lessened over the
past decade with increasing privatization, simplification of the tax
structure, and a prudent approach to debt. Progressive social
policies also have helped raise living conditions in Tunisia
relative to the region. Real growth, which averaged almost 5% over
the past decade, reached 6.3% in 2007 because of development in
non-textile manufacturing, a recovery in agricultural production,
and strong growth in the services sector. However, Tunisia will need
to reach even higher growth levels to create sufficient employment
opportunities for an already large number of unemployed as well as
the growing population of university graduates. Broader
privatization, further liberalization of the investment code to
increase foreign investment, improvements in government efficiency,
and reduction of the trade deficit are among the challenges ahead.

Turkey
Turkey's dynamic economy is a complex mix of modern industry
and commerce along with a traditional agriculture sector that still
accounts for more than 35% of employment. It has a strong and
rapidly growing private sector, yet the state still plays a major
role in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication. The
largest industrial sector is textiles and clothing, which accounts
for one-third of industrial employment; it faces stiff competition
in international markets with the end of the global quota system.
However, other sectors, notably the automotive and electronics
industries, are rising in importance within Turkey's export mix.
Real GNP growth has exceeded 6% in many years, but this strong
expansion has been interrupted by sharp declines in output in 1994,
1999, and 2001. The economy is turning around with the
implementation of economic reforms, and 2004 GDP growth reached 9%,
followed by roughly 5% annual growth from 2005-07. Inflation fell to
7.7% in 2005 - a 30-year low - but climbed back to 8.5% in 2007.
Despite the strong economic gains from 2002-07, which were largely
due to renewed investor interest in emerging markets, IMF backing,
and tighter fiscal policy, the economy is still burdened by a high
current account deficit and high external debt. Further economic and
judicial reforms and prospective EU membership are expected to boost
foreign direct investment. The stock value of FDI currently stands
at about $85 billion. Privatization sales are currently approaching
$21 billion. Oil began to flow through the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan
pipeline in May 2006, marking a major milestone that will bring up
to 1 million barrels per day from the Caspian to market. In 2007,
Turkish financial markets weathered significant domestic political
turmoil, including turbulence sparked by controversy over the
selection of former Foreign Minister Abdullah GUL as Turkey's 11th
president. Economic fundamentals are sound, marked by strong
economic growth and foreign direct investment. Turkey's high current
account deficit leaves the economy vulnerable to destabilizing
shifts in investor confidence, however.

Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan is a largely desert country with intensive
agriculture in irrigated oases and large gas and oil resources.
One-half of its irrigated land is planted in cotton; formerly it was
the world's 10th-largest producer. Poor harvests in recent years
have led to an almost 50% decline in cotton exports. With an
authoritarian ex-Communist regime in power and a tribally based
social structure, Turkmenistan has taken a cautious approach to
economic reform, hoping to use gas and cotton sales to sustain its
inefficient economy. Privatization goals remain limited. From
1998-2005, Turkmenistan suffered from the continued lack of adequate
export routes for natural gas and from obligations on extensive
short-term external debt. At the same time, however, total exports
rose by an average of roughly 15% per year from 2003-07, largely
because of higher international oil and gas prices. Overall
prospects in the near future are discouraging because of widespread
internal poverty, a poor educational system, government misuse of
oil and gas revenues, and Ashgabat's reluctance to adopt
market-oriented reforms. In the past, Turkmenistan's economic
statistics were state secrets. The new government has established a
State Agency for Statistics, but GDP numbers and other figures are
subject to wide margins of error. In particular, the rate of GDP
growth is uncertain. Since his election, President BERDIMUHAMEDOW
has sought to improve the health and education systems, ordered
unification of the country's dual currency exchange rate, begun
decreasing state subsidies for gasoline, signed an agreement to
build a gas line to China, and created a special tourism zone on the
Caspian Sea. All of these moves hint that the new post-NYYAZOW
government will work to create a friendlier foreign investment
environment.

Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos economy is based on
tourism, offshore financial services, and fishing. Most capital
goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is the
leading source of tourists, accounting for more than three-quarters
of the 175,000 visitors that arrived in 2004. Major sources of
government revenue also include fees from offshore financial
activities and customs receipts.

Tuvalu
Tuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of
nine coral atolls with poor soil. The country has no known mineral
resources and few exports. Subsistence farming and fishing are the
primary economic activities. Fewer than 1,000 tourists, on average,
visit Tuvalu annually. Job opportunities are scarce and public
sector workers make up the majority of those employed. About 15% of
the adult male population work as seamen on merchant ships abroad
and remittances are a vital source of income, contributing around $4
million in 2006. Substantial income is received annually from the
Tuvalu Trust Fund (TTF), an international trust fund established in
1987 by Australia, NZ, and the UK and supported also by Japan and
South Korea. Thanks to wise investments and conservative
withdrawals, this fund grew from an initial $17 million to an
estimated value of $77 million in 2006. The TFF contributed nearly
$9 million towards the government budget in 2006 and is an important
cushion for meeting shortfalls in the government's budget. The US
Government is also a major revenue source for Tuvalu because of
payments from a 1988 treaty on fisheries. In an effort to ensure
financial stability and sustainability, the government is pursuing
public sector reforms, including privatization of some government
functions and personnel cuts. Tuvalu also derives royalties from the
lease of its ".tv" Internet domain name, with revenue of more than
$2 million in 2006. A minor source of government revenue comes from
the sale of stamps and coins. With merchandise exports only a
fraction of merchandise imports, continued reliance must be placed
on fishing and telecommunications license fees, remittances from
overseas workers, official transfers, and income from overseas
investments. Growing income disparities and the vulnerability of the
country to climatic change are among leading concerns for the nation.

Uganda
Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile
soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper,
cobalt, gold, and other minerals. Agriculture is the most important
sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee
accounts for the bulk of export revenues. Since 1986, the government
- with the support of foreign countries and international agencies -
has acted to rehabilitate and stabilize the economy by undertaking
currency reform, raising producer prices on export crops, increasing
prices of petroleum products, and improving civil service wages. The
policy changes are especially aimed at dampening inflation and
boosting production and export earnings. During 1990-2001, the
economy turned in a solid performance based on continued investment
in the rehabilitation of infrastructure, improved incentives for
production and exports, reduced inflation, gradually improved
domestic security, and the return of exiled Indian-Ugandan
entrepreneurs. Growth continues to be solid, despite variability in
the price of coffee, Uganda's principal export, and a consistent
upturn in Uganda's export markets. In 2000, Uganda qualified for
enhanced Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief worth
$1.3 billion and Paris Club debt relief worth $145 million. These
amounts combined with the original HIPC debt relief added up to
about $2 billion.

Ukraine
After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the
most important economic component of the former Soviet Union,
producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic.
Its fertile black soil generated more than one-fourth of Soviet
agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities
of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise,
its diversified heavy industry supplied the unique equipment (for
example, large diameter pipes) and raw materials to industrial and
mining sites (vertical drilling apparatus) in other regions of the
former USSR. Shortly after independence was ratified in December
1991, the Ukrainian Government liberalized most prices and erected a
legal framework for privatization, but widespread resistance to
reform within the government and the legislature soon stalled reform
efforts and led to some backtracking. Output by 1999 had fallen to
less than 40% of the 1991 level. Ukraine's dependence on Russia for
energy supplies and the lack of significant structural reform have
made the Ukrainian economy vulnerable to external shocks. Ukraine
depends on imports to meet about three-fourths of its annual oil and
natural gas requirements. A dispute with Russia over pricing in late
2005 and early 2006 led to a temporary gas cut-off; Ukraine
concluded a deal with Russia in January 2006 that almost doubled the
price Ukraine pays for Russian gas. Outside institutions -
particularly the IMF - have encouraged Ukraine to quicken the pace
and scope of reforms. Ukrainian Government officials eliminated most
tax and customs privileges in a March 2005 budget law, bringing more
economic activity out of Ukraine's large shadow economy, but more
improvements are needed, including fighting corruption, developing
capital markets, and improving the legislative framework. Ukraine's
economy remains buoyant despite political turmoil between the Prime
Minister and President. Real GDP growth reached about 7% in 2006-07,
fueled by high global prices for steel - Ukraine's top export - and
by strong domestic consumption, spurred by rising pensions and
wages. Although the economy is likely to expand in 2008, long-term
growth could be threatened by the government's plans to reinstate
tax, trade, and customs privileges and to maintain restrictive grain
export quotas.

United Arab Emirates
The UAE has an open economy with a high per
capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Despite largely
successful efforts at economic diversification, nearly 40% of GDP is
still directly based on oil and gas output. Since the discovery of
oil in the UAE more than 30 years ago, the UAE has undergone a
profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert
principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. The
government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure
expansion and is opening up utilities to greater private sector
involvement. In April 2004, the UAE signed a Trade and Investment
Framework Agreement with Washington and in November 2004 agreed to
undertake negotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement with the US.
The country's Free Trade Zones - offering 100% foreign ownership and
zero taxes - are helping to attract foreign investors. Higher oil
revenue, strong liquidity, housing shortages, and cheap credit in
2005-07 led to a surge in asset prices (shares and real estate) and
consumer inflation. Rising prices are increasing the operating costs
for businesses in the UAE and adversely impacting government
employees and others on fixed incomes. Dependence on oil and a large
expatriate workforce are significant long-term challenges. The UAE's
strategic plan for the next few years focuses on diversification and
creating more opportunities for nationals through improved education
and increased private sector employment.

United Kingdom
The UK, a leading trading power and financial center,
is one of the quintet of trillion dollar economies of Western
Europe. Over the past two decades, the government has greatly
reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare
programs. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient
by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with less
than 2% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and
oil reserves; primary energy production accounts for 10% of GDP, one
of the highest shares of any industrial nation. Services,
particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by
far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to
decline in importance. Since emerging from recession in 1992,
Britain's economy has enjoyed the longest period of expansion on
record; growth has remained in the 2-3% range since 2004, outpacing
most of Europe. The economy's strength has complicated the Labor
government's efforts to make a case for Britain to join the European
Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Critics point out that the
economy is doing well outside of EMU, and public opinion polls show
a majority of Britons are opposed to the euro. The BROWN government
has been speeding up the improvement of education, health services,
and affordable housing at a cost in higher taxes and a widening
public deficit.

United States
The US has the largest and most technologically
powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $46,000. In
this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms
make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments
buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private
marketplace. US business firms enjoy greater flexibility than their
counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand
capital plant, to lay off surplus workers, and to develop new
products. At the same time, they face higher barriers to enter their
rivals' home markets than foreign firms face entering US markets. US
firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances,
especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and military
equipment; their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War
II. The onrush of technology largely explains the gradual
development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those at the
bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of
those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay
raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Since 1975,
practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top
20% of households. The response to the terrorist attacks of 11
September 2001 showed the remarkable resilience of the economy. The
war in March-April 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq, and the
subsequent occupation of Iraq, required major shifts in national
resources to the military. The rise in GDP in 2004-07 was
undergirded by substantial gains in labor productivity. Hurricane
Katrina caused extensive damage in the Gulf Coast region in August
2005, but had a small impact on overall GDP growth for the year.
Soaring oil prices in 2005-2007 threatened inflation and
unemployment, yet the economy continued to grow through year-end
2007. Imported oil accounts for about two-thirds of US consumption.
Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economic
infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging
population, sizable trade and budget deficits, and stagnation of
family income in the lower economic groups. The merchandise trade
deficit reached a record $847 billion in 2007. Together, these
problems caused a marked reduction in the value and status of the
dollar worldwide in 2007.

United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
no economic activity

Uruguay
Uruguay's economy is characterized by an export-oriented
agricultural sector, a well-educated work force, and high levels of
social spending. After averaging growth of 5% annually during
1996-98, in 1999-2002 the economy suffered a major downturn,
stemming largely from the spillover effects of the economic problems
of its large neighbors, Argentina and Brazil. For instance, in
2001-02 Argentina made massive withdrawals of dollars deposited in
Uruguayan banks, which led to a plunge in the Uruguayan peso and a
massive rise in unemployment. Total GDP in these four years dropped
by nearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year due to the banking crisis.
The unemployment rate rose to nearly 20% in 2002, inflation surged,
and the burden of external debt doubled. Cooperation with the IMF
helped stem the damage. Uruguay in 2007 improved its debt profile by
paying off $1.1 billion in IMF debt, and continues to follow the
orthodox economic plan set by the Fund in 2005. The construction of
a pulp mill in Fray Bentos, which represents the largest foreign
direct investment in Uruguay's history at $1.2 billion, came online
in November 2007 and is expected to add 1.6% to GDP and boost
already rising exports. The economy has grown strongly since 2004 as
a result of high commodity prices for Uruguayan exports, a strong
peso, growth in the region, and low international interest rates.

Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11%
consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than
60% of its population lives in densely populated rural communities.
Uzbekistan is now the world's second-largest cotton exporter and
fifth largest producer; it relies heavily on cotton production as
the major source of export earnings. Other major export earners
include gold, natural gas, and oil. Following independence in
September 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style
command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and
prices. While aware of the need to improve the investment climate,
the government still sponsors measures that often increase, not
decrease, its control over business decisions. A sharp increase in
the inequality of income distribution has hurt the lower ranks of
society since independence. In 2003, the government accepted Article
VIII obligations under the IMF, providing for full currency
convertibility. However, strict currency controls and tightening of
borders have lessened the effects of convertibility and have also
led to some shortages that have further stifled economic activity.
The Central Bank often delays or restricts convertibility,
especially for consumer goods. Potential investment by Russia and
China in Uzbekistan's gas and oil industry may boost growth
prospects. In November 2005, Russian President Vladimir PUTIN and
Uzbekistan President KARIMOV signed an "alliance," which included
provisions for economic and business cooperation. Russian businesses
have shown increased interest in Uzbekistan, especially in mining,
telecom, and oil and gas. In 2006, Uzbekistan took steps to rejoin
the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian
Economic Community (EurASEC), both organizations dominated by
Russia. Uzbek authorities have accused US and other foreign
companies operating in Uzbekistan of violating Uzbek tax laws and
have frozen their assets.

Vanuatu
This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on
small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for 65% of the
population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with
more than 60,000 visitors in 2005, are other mainstays of the
economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known
petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the
local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic
development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity
exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from
main markets and between constituent islands. In response to foreign
concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its
offshore financial center. In mid-2002 the government stepped up
efforts to boost tourism through improved air connections, resort
development, and cruise ship facilities. Agriculture, especially
livestock farming, is a second target for growth. Australia and New
Zealand are the main suppliers of tourists and foreign aid.

Venezuela
Venezuela remains highly dependent on oil revenues, which
account for roughly 90% of export earnings, more than 50% of the
federal budget revenues, and around 30% of GDP. A nationwide strike
between December 2002 and February 2003 had far-reaching economic
consequences - real GDP declined by around 9% in 2002 and 8% in 2003
- but economic output since then has recovered strongly. Fueled by
high oil prices, record government spending helped to boost GDP in
2006 by about 9% and in 2007 by about 8%. This spending, combined
with recent minimum wage hikes and improved access to domestic
credit, has created a consumption boom but has come at the cost of
higher inflation-roughly 20 percent in 2007. Imports also have
jumped significantly. Embolden by his December 2006 reelection,
President Hugo CHAVEZ in 2007 nationalized firms in the petroleum,
communications, and electricity sectors, which reduced foreign
influence in the economy. Although voters in December 2007 rejected
CHAVEZ's proposed constitutional changes, CHAVEZ still has
significant control of the economy and has indicated he intends to
continue to consolidate and centralize authority over the economy by
implementing "21st Century Socialism."

Vietnam
Vietnam is a densely-populated developing country that in
the last 30 years has had to recover from the ravages of war, the
loss of financial support from the old Soviet Bloc, and the
rigidities of a centrally-planned economy. Economic stagnation
marked the period after reunification from 1975 to 1985. In 1986,
the Sixth Party Congress approved a broad economic reform package
that introduced market reforms and set the groundwork for Vietnam's
improved investment climate. Substantial progress was achieved from
1986 to 1997 in moving forward from an extremely low level of
development and significantly reducing poverty. The 1997 Asian
financial crisis highlighted the problems in the Vietnamese economy
and temporarily allowed opponents of reform to slow progress toward
a market-oriented economy. GDP growth averaged 6.8% per year from
1997 to 2004 even against the background of the Asian financial
crisis and a global recession. Since 2001, Vietnamese authorities
have reaffirmed their commitment to economic liberalization and
international integration. They have moved to implement the
structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce
more competitive, export-driven industries. The economy grew 8.5% in
2007. Vietnam's membership in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and
entry into force of the US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement in
December 2001 have led to even more rapid changes in Vietnam's trade
and economic regime. Vietnam's exports to the US increased 900% from
2001 to 2007. Vietnam joined the WTO in January 2007, following over
a decade long negotiation process. WTO membership has provided
Vietnam an anchor to the global market and reinforced the domestic
economic reform process. Among other benefits, accession allows
Vietnam to take advantage of the phase-out of the Agreement on
Textiles and Clothing, which eliminated quotas on textiles and
clothing for WTO partners on 1 January 2005. Agriculture's share of
economic output has continued to shrink, from about 25% in 2000 to
less than 20% in 2007. Deep poverty, defined as a percent of the
population living under $1 per day, has declined significantly and
is now smaller than that of China, India, and the Philippines.
Vietnam is working to create jobs to meet the challenge of a labor
force that is growing by more than one-and-a-half million people
every year. In an effort to stem high inflation which took off in
2007, early in 2008 Vietnamese authorities began to raise benchmark
interest rates and reserve requirements. Hanoi is targeting an
economic growth rate of 7.5-8% during the next four years.

Virgin Islands
Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting
for 80% of GDP and employment. The islands hosted 2.6 million
visitors in 2005. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum
refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch
assembly. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at
Saint Croix. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being
imported. International business and financial services are small
but growing components of the economy. The islands are vulnerable to
substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve
fiscal discipline, to support construction projects in the private
sector, to expand tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and to
protect the environment.

Wake Island
Economic activity is limited to providing services to
military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food
and manufactured goods must be imported.

Wallis and Futuna
The economy is limited to traditional subsistence
agriculture, with about 80% of labor force earnings from agriculture
(coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing.
About 4% of the population is employed in government. Revenues come
from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to
Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate
workers in New Caledonia.

West Bank
The West Bank - the larger of the two areas comprising the
Palestinian Authority (PA) - has experienced a general decline in
economic conditions since the second intifada began in September
2000. The downturn has been largely a result of Israeli closure
policies - the imposition of closures and access restrictions in
response to security concerns in Israel - which disrupted labor and
trading relationships. In 2001, and even more severely in 2002,
Israeli military measures in PA areas resulted in the destruction of
capital, the disruption of administrative structures, and widespread
business closures. International aid of at least $1.14 billion to
the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 2004 prevented the complete collapse
of the economy and allowed some reforms in the government's
financial operations. In 2005, high unemployment and limited trade
opportunities - due to continued closures both within the West Bank
and externally - stymied growth. Israel's and the international
community's financial embargo of the PA when HAMAS ran the PA during
March 2006 - June 2007 has interrupted the provision of PA social
services and the payment of PA salaries. Since June the Fayyad
government in the West Bank has restarted salary payments and the
provision of services but would be unable to operate absent high
levels of international assistance.

Western Sahara
Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing,
and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the
population. The territory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainable
agricultural production, and most of the food for the urban
population must be imported. Incomes in Western Sahara are
substantially below the Moroccan level. The Moroccan Government
controls all trade and other economic activities in Western Sahara.
Morocco and the EU signed a four-year agreement in July 2006
allowing European vessels to fish off the coast of Morocco,
including the disputed waters off the coast of Western Sahara.
Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed contracts to explore for
oil off the coast of Western Sahara, which has angered the
Polisario. However, in 2006 the Polisario awarded similar
exploration licenses in the disputed territory, which would come
into force if Morocco and the Polisario resolve their dispute over
Western Sahara.

World
Global output rose by 5.2% in 2007, led by China (11.4%),
India (9.2%), and Russia (8.1%). The 14 other successor nations of
the USSR and the other old Warsaw Pact nations again experienced
widely divergent growth rates; the three Baltic nations continued as
strong performers, in the 8%-10% range of growth. From 2006 to 2007
growth rates slowed in all the major industrial countries except for
the United Kingdom (3.1%). Analysts attribute the slowdown to
uncertainties in the financial markets and lowered consumer
confidence. Worldwide, nations varied widely in their growth
results. Externally, the nation-state, as a bedrock
economic-political institution, is steadily losing control over
international flows of people, goods, funds, and technology.
Internally, the central government often finds its control over
resources slipping as separatist regional movements - typically
based on ethnicity - gain momentum, e.g., in many of the successor
states of the former Soviet Union, in the former Yugoslavia, in
India, in Iraq, in Indonesia, and in Canada. Externally, the central
government is losing decisionmaking powers to international bodies,
notably the EU. In Western Europe, governments face the difficult
political problem of channeling resources away from welfare programs
in order to increase investment and strengthen incentives to seek
employment. The addition of 80 million people each year to an
already overcrowded globe is exacerbating the problems of pollution,
desertification, underemployment, epidemics, and famine. Because of
their own internal problems and priorities, the industrialized
countries devote insufficient resources to deal effectively with the
poorer areas of the world, which, at least from an economic point of
view, are becoming further marginalized. The introduction of the
euro as the common currency of much of Western Europe in January
1999, while paving the way for an integrated economic powerhouse,
poses economic risks because of varying levels of income and
cultural and political differences among the participating nations.
The terrorist attacks on the US on 11 September 2001 accentuated a
growing risk to global prosperity, illustrated, for example, by the
reallocation of resources away from investment to anti-terrorist
programs. The opening of war in March 2003 between a US-led
coalition and Iraq added new uncertainties to global economic
prospects. After the initial coalition victory, the complex
political difficulties and the high economic cost of establishing
domestic order in Iraq became major global problems that continued
through 2007.

Yemen
Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arab world,
reported average annual growth in the range of 3-4% from 2000
through 2007. Its economic fortunes depend mostly on declining oil
resources, but the country is trying to diversify its earnings. In
2006 Yemen began an economic reform program designed to bolster
non-oil sectors of the economy and foreign investment. As a result
of the program, international donors pledged about $5 billion for
development projects. In addition, Yemen has made some progress on
reforms over the last year that will likely encourage foreign
investment. Oil revenues probably increased in 2007 as a result of
higher prices.

Zambia
Zambia's economy has experienced modest growth in recent
years, with real GDP growth in 2005-07 between 5-6% per year.
Privatization of government-owned copper mines in the 1990s relieved
the government from covering mammoth losses generated by the
industry and greatly improved the chances for copper mining to
return to profitability and spur economic growth. Copper output has
increased steadily since 2004, due to higher copper prices and
foreign investment. In 2005, Zambia qualified for debt relief under
the Highly Indebted Poor Country Initiative, consisting of
approximately USD 6 billion in debt relief. Zambia experienced a
bumper harvest in 2007, which helped to boost GDP and agricultural
exports and contain inflation. Although poverty continues to be
significant problem in Zambia, its economy has strengthened,
featuring single-digit inflation, a relatively stable currency,
decreasing interest rates, and increasing levels of trade.

Zimbabwe
The government of Zimbabwe faces a wide variety of
difficult economic problems as it struggles with an unsustainable
fiscal deficit, an overvalued official exchange rate,
hyperinflation, and bare store shelves. Its 1998-2002 involvement in
the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo drained hundreds of
millions of dollars from the economy. The government's land reform
program, characterized by chaos and violence, has badly damaged the
commercial farming sector, the traditional source of exports and
foreign exchange and the provider of 400,000 jobs, turning Zimbabwe
into a net importer of food products. The EU and the US provide food
aid on humanitarian grounds. Badly needed support from the IMF has
been suspended because of the government's arrears on past loans and
the government's unwillingness to enact reforms that would stabilize
the economy. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe routinely prints money to
fund the budget deficit, causing the official annual inflation rate
to rise from 32% in 1998, to 133% in 2004, 585% in 2005, passed
1000% in 2006, and 26000% in November 2007. Private sector estimates
of inflation in 2007 are well above 100,000%. Meanwhile, the
official exchange rate fell from approximately 1 (revalued)
Zimbabwean dollar per US dollar in 2003 to 30,000 per US dollar in
2007.

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

======================================================================

@2117 Pipelines (km)

Afghanistan
gas 466 km (2007)

Albania
gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2007)

Algeria
condensate 1,532 km; gas 13,861 km; liquid petroleum gas
2,408 km; oil 6,878 km (2007)

Angola
gas 234 km; liquid petroleum gas 85 km; oil 896 km;
oil/gas/water 5 km (2007)

Argentina
gas 28,657 km; liquid petroleum gas 41 km; oil 5,607 km;
refined products 3,052 km; unknown (oil/water) 13 km (2007)

Armenia
gas 2,036 km (2007)

Australia
condensate/gas 469 km; gas 26,719 km; liquid petroleum gas
240 km; oil 3,720 km; oil/gas/water 110 km (2007)

Austria
gas 2,722 km; oil 663 km; refined products 157 km (2007)

Azerbaijan
gas 3,857 km; oil 2,436 km (2007)

Bahrain
gas 20 km; oil 52 km (2007)

Bangladesh
gas 2,644 km (2007)

Belarus
gas 5,250 km; oil 1,528 km; refined products 1,730 km (2007)

Belgium
gas 1,562 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2007)

Bolivia
gas 4,860 km; liquid petroleum gas 47 km; oil 2,475 km;
refined products 1,589 km; unknown (oil/water) 247 km (2007)

Brazil
condensate/gas 244 km; gas 12,070 km; liquid petroleum gas
351 km; oil 5,214 km; refined products 4,410 km (2007)

Brunei
gas 672 km; oil 463 km (2007)

Bulgaria
gas 2,500 km; oil 339 km; refined products 156 km (2007)

Burma
gas 2,790 km; oil 558 km (2007)

Cameroon
gas 27 km; liquid petroleum gas 5 km; oil 1,110 km (2007)

Canada
crude and refined oil 23,564 km; liquid petroleum gas 74,980
km (2006)

Chad
oil 250 km (2007)

Chile
gas 2,550 km; gas/liquid petroleum gas 42 km; liquid petroleum
gas 539 km; oil 1,002 km; refined products 757 km; unknown
(oil/water) 97 km (2007)

China
gas 26,344 km; oil 17,240 km; refined products 6,106 km (2007)

Colombia
gas 4,329 km; oil 6,140 km; refined products 3,145 km (2007)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the
gas 62 km; oil 71 km (2007)

Congo, Republic of the
gas 89 km; liquid petroleum gas 4 km; oil 758
km (2007)

Costa Rica
refined products 242 km (2007)

Cote d'Ivoire
condensate 102 km; gas 245 km; oil 112 km (2007)

Croatia
gas 1,556 km; oil 583 km (2007)

Cuba
gas 49 km; oil 230 km (2007)

Czech Republic
gas 7,010 km; oil 547 km; refined products 94 km
(2007)

Denmark
condensate 11 km; gas 4,073 km; oil 617 km; oil/gas/water 2
km (2007)

Ecuador
extra heavy crude oil 578 km; gas 71 km; oil 1,389 km;
refined products 1,185 km (2007)

Egypt
condensate 483 km; condensate/gas 74 km; gas 6,466 km; liquid
petroleum gas 957 km; oil 5,518 km; oil/gas/water 37 km; refined
products 895 km (2007)

Equatorial Guinea
condensate 42 km; condensate/gas 5 km; gas 80 km;
oil 54 km (2007)

Estonia
gas 859 km (2007)

Finland
gas 694 km (2007)

France
gas 14,665 km; oil 3,032 km; refined products 4,947 km (2007)

Gabon
gas 384 km; oil 1,427 km (2007)

Georgia
gas 1,591 km; oil 1,253 km (2007)

Germany
condensate 37 km; gas 25,094 km; oil 3,546 km; refined
products 3,828 km (2007)

Ghana
oil 13 km; refined products 316 km (2007)

Greece
gas 1,166 km; oil 94 km (2007)

Guatemala
oil 480 km (2007)

Hungary
gas 4,397 km; oil 990 km; refined products 335 km (2007)

India
condensate/gas 9 km; gas 7,488 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,861
km; oil 7,883 km; refined products 6,422 km (2007)

Indonesia
condensate 963 km; condensate/gas 81 km; gas 9,003 km; oil
7,471 km; oil/gas/water 77 km; refined products 1,365 km (2007)

Iran
condensate 7 km; condensate/gas 397 km; gas 19,161 km; liquid
petroleum gas 570 km; oil 8,438 km; refined products 7,936 km (2007)

Iraq
gas 2,250 km; liquid petroleum gas 918 km; oil 5,509 km;
refined products 1,637 km (2007)

Ireland
gas 1,855 km (2007)

Israel
gas 160 km; oil 442 km; refined products 261 km (2007)

Italy
gas 18,863 km; oil 1,258 km (2007)

Japan
gas 3,939 km; oil 170 km; oil/gas/water 104 km (2007)

Jordan
gas 426 km; oil 49 km (2007)

Kazakhstan
condensate 658 km; gas 11,082 km; oil 10,376 km; refined
products 1,095 km (2007)

Kenya
refined products 900 km (2007)

Korea, North
oil 154 km (2007)

Korea, South
gas 1,482 km; refined products 827 km (2007)

Kuwait
gas 269 km; oil 540 km; refined products 57 km (2007)

Kyrgyzstan
gas 254 km; oil 16 km (2007)

Laos
refined products 540 km (2007)

Latvia
gas 948 km; oil 82 km; refined products 415 km (2007)

Lebanon
gas 43 km (2007)

Libya
condensate 882 km; gas 3,425 km; oil 6,956 km (2007)

Liechtenstein
gas 20 km (2007)

Lithuania
gas 1,695 km; oil 228 km; refined products 121 km (2007)

Luxembourg
gas 155 km (2007)

Macedonia
gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2007)

Malaysia
condensate 282 km; gas 5,273 km; oil 1,750 km;
oil/gas/water 19 km; refined products 114 km (2007)

Mexico
gas 22,705 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,875 km; oil 8,688 km;
oil/gas/water 228 km; refined products 6,520 km (2006)

Moldova
gas 1,980 km (2007)

Morocco
gas 720 km; oil 439 km (2007)

Mozambique
gas 964 km; refined products 278 km (2007)

Netherlands
condensate 81 km; gas 7,394 km; oil 578 km; refined
products 716 km (2007)

New Zealand
condensate 331 km; gas 1,896 km; liquid petroleum gas
172 km; oil 288 km; refined products 260 km (2007)

Nicaragua
oil 54 km (2007)

Nigeria
condensate 124 km; gas 3,071 km; liquid petroleum gas 156
km; oil 4,347 km; refined products 3,949 km (2007)

Norway
condensate 508 km; gas 6,529 km; oil 2,444 km; oil/gas/water
457 km (2007)

Oman
gas 4,126 km; oil 3,558 km (2007)

Pakistan
gas 10,398 km; oil 2,076 km (2007)

Papua New Guinea
oil 264 km (2007)

Peru
gas 1,181 km; gas/liquid petroleum gas 61 km; liquid natural
gas 106 km; liquid petroleum gas 517 km; oil 1,749 km; refined
products 13 km (2007)

Philippines
gas 565 km; oil 135 km; refined products 105 km (2007)

Poland
gas 13,552 km; oil 1,384 km; refined products 777 km (2007)

Portugal
gas 1,098 km; oil 11 km; refined products 188 km (2007)

Qatar
condensate 322 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 1,970 km; liquid
petroleum gas 87 km; oil 741 km (2007)

Romania
gas 3,674 km; oil 2,424 km (2007)

Russia
condensate 122 km; gas 158,699 km; oil 72,347 km; refined
products 13,658 km (2007)

Saudi Arabia
condensate 212 km; gas 1,880 km; liquid petroleum gas
1,183 km; oil 4,521 km; refined products 1,148 km (2007)

Senegal
gas 43 km (2007)

Serbia
gas 1,921 km; oil 393 km (2007)

Singapore
gas 139 km; refined products 8 km (2007)

Slovakia
gas 6,769 km; oil 416 km (2007)

Slovenia
gas 840 km; oil 11 km (2007)

South Africa
condensate 100 km; gas 1,177 km; oil 992 km; refined
products 1,379 km (2007)

Spain
gas 7,858 km; oil 622 km; refined products 3,445 km (2007)

Sudan
gas 156 km; oil 4,070 km; refined products 1,613 km (2007)

Suriname
oil 50 km (2007)

Sweden
gas 798 km (2007)

Switzerland
gas 1,781 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2007)

Syria
gas 2,794 km; oil 2,000 km (2007)

Taiwan
condensate 25 km; gas 661 km (2007)

Tajikistan
gas 549 km; oil 38 km (2007)

Tanzania
gas 287 km; oil 891 km (2007)

Thailand
gas 4,381 km; refined products 320 km (2007)

Trinidad and Tobago
condensate 245 km; gas 1,320 km; oil 563 km
(2007)

Tunisia
gas 2,665 km; oil 1,235 km; refined products 353 km (2007)

Turkey
gas 7,511 km; oil 3,636 km (2007)

Turkmenistan
gas 6,441 km; oil 1,361 km (2007)

Ukraine
gas 33,721 km; oil 4,514 km; refined products 4,211 km (2007)

United Arab Emirates
condensate 520 km; gas 2,908 km; liquid
petroleum gas 300 km; oil 2,950 km; oil/gas/water 5 km; refined
products 156 km (2007)

United Kingdom
condensate 567 km; condensate/gas 22 km; gas 18,980
km; liquid petroleum gas 59 km; oil 4,930 km; oil/gas/water 165 km;
refined products 4,444 km (2007)

United States
petroleum products 244,620 km; natural gas 548,665 km
(2006)

Uruguay
gas 257 km; oil 160 km (2007)

Uzbekistan
gas 9,725 km; oil 868 km (2007)

Venezuela
extra heavy crude oil 992 km; gas 5,400 km; oil 7,607 km;
refined products 1,650 km; unknown (oil/water) 141 km (2007)

Vietnam
condensate/gas 432 km; gas 510 km; oil 49 km; refined
products 206 km (2007)

Yemen
gas 71 km; liquid petroleum gas 22 km; oil 1,309 km (2007)

Zambia
oil 771 km (2007)

Zimbabwe
refined products 270 km (2007)

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

======================================================================

@2118 Political parties and leaders

Afghanistan
Afghanistan Peoples' Treaty Party [Sayyed Amir TAHSEEN];
Afghanistan's Islamic Mission Organization [Abdul Rasoul SAYYAF];
Afghanistan's Islamic Nation Party [Toran Noor Aqa Ahmad ZAI];
Afghanistan's National Islamic Party [Rohullah LOUDIN];
Afghanistan's Welfare Party [Meer Asef ZAEEFI]; Afghan Social
Democratic Party [Anwarul Haq AHADI]; Afghan Society for the Call to
the Koran and Sunna [Mawlawee Samiullah NAJEEBEE]; Comprehensive
Movement of Democracy and Development of Afghanistan Party [Sher
Mohammad BAZGAR]; Democratic Party of Afghanistan [Tawos ARAB];
Democratic Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Kabir RANJBAR]; Elites People
of Afghanistan Party [Abdul Hamid JAWAD]; Freedom and Democracy
Movement of Afghanistan [Abdul Raqib Jawid KOHISTANEE]; Freedom
Party of Afghanistan [Ilaj Abdul MALEK]; Freedom Party of
Afghanistan [Dr. Ghulam Farooq NEJRABEE]; Hizullah-e-Afghanistan
[Qari Ahmad ALI]; Human Rights Protection and Development Party of
Afghanistan [Baryalai NASRATI]; Islamic Justice Party of Afghanistan
[Mohammad Kabir MARZBAN]; Islamic Movement of Afghanistan [Mohammad
Ali JAWID]; Islamic Movement of Afghanistan Party [Mohammad Mukhtar
MUFLEH]; Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Khalid FAROOQI];
Islamic Party of the Afghan Land [Mohammad Hassan FEROZKHEL];
Islamic People's Movement of Afghanistan [Ilhaj Said Hussain
ANWARY]; Islamic Society of Afghanistan [Ustad RABBANI]; Islamic
Unity of the Nation of Afghanistan Party [Qurban Ali URFANI];
Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Karim KHALILI]; Islamic
Unity Party of the People of Afghanistan [Ustad Mohammad MOHAQQEQ];
Labor and Progress of Afghanistan Party [Zulfiqar OMID]; Muslim
People of Afghanistan Party [Besmellah JOYAN]; Muslim Unity Movement
Party of Afghanistan [Wazir Mohammad WAHDAT]; National and Islamic
Sovereignty Movement Party of Afghanistan [Ahmad Shah AHMADZAI];
National Congress Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Latif PEDRAM];
National Country Party [Ghulam MOHAMMAD]; National Development Party
of Afghanistan [Dr. Aref BAKTASH]; National Freedom Seekers Party
[Abdul Hadi DABEER]; National Independence Party of Afghanistan [Taj
Mohammad WARDAK]; National Islamic Fighters Party of Afghanistan
[Amanat NINGARHAREE]; National Islamic Front of Afghanistan [Pir
Sayed Ahmad GAILANEE]; National Islamic Moderation Party of
Afghanistan [Qara Bik Eized YAAR]; National Islamic Movement of
Afghanistan [Sayed NOORULLAH]; National Islamic Unity Party of
Afghanistan [Mohammad AKBAREE]; National Movement of Afghanistan
[Ahmad Wali MASOOUD]; National Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Rashid
ARYAN]; National Patch of Afghanistan Party [Sayed Kamal SADAT];
National Peace Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Shah Mohammood Popal
ZAI]; National Peace & Islamic Party of the Tribes of Afghanistan
[Abdul Qaher SHARIATEE]; National Peace & Unity Party of Afghanistan
[Abdul Qader IMAMI]; National Prosperity and Islamic Party of
Afghanistan [Mohammad Osman SALEKZADA]; National Prosperity Party
[Mohammad Hassan JAHFAREE]; National Solidarity Movement of
Afghanistan [Pir Sayed Eshaq GAILANEE]; National Solidarity Party of
Afghanistan [Sayed Mansoor NADREEI]; National Sovereignty Party
[Sayed Mustafa KAZEMI]; National Stability Party [Mohammad Same
KHAROTI]; National Stance Party [Habibullah JANEBDAR]; National
Tribal Unity Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Shah KHOGYANI];
National United Front [Burhanuddin RABBANI] (a coalition); National
Unity Movement [Sultan Mohammad GHAZI]; National Unity Movement of
Afghanistan [Mohammad Nadir AATASH]; National Unity Party of
Afghanistan [Abdul Rashid JALILI]; New Afghanistan Party [Mohammad
Yunis QANUNI]; Peace and National Welfare Activists Society [Shamsul
Haq Noor SHAMS]; Peace Movement [Shahnawaz TANAI]; People's
Aspirations Party of Afghanistan [Ilhaj Saraj-u-din ZAFAREE];
People's Freedom Seekers Party of Afghanistan [Feda Mohammad EHSAS];
People's Liberal Freedom Seekers Party of Afghanistan [Ajmal
SUHAIL]; People's Message Party of Afghanistan [Noor Aqa WAINEE];
People's Movement of the National Unity of Afghanistan [Abdul Hakim
NOORZAI]; People's Party of Afghanistan [Ahmad Shah ASAR]; People's
Prosperity Party of Afghanistan [Ustad Mohammad ZAREEF]; People's
Sovereignty Movement of Afghanistan [Hayatullah SUBHANEE]; People's
Uprising Party of Afghanistan [Sayed Zahir Qayed Omul BELADI];
People's Welfare Party of Afghanistan [Mia Gul WASIQ]; People's
Welfare Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Zubair PAIROZ]; Progressive
Democratic Party of Afghanistan [Wali ARYA]; Republican Party
[Sebghatullah SANJAR]; Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Khaleq
NEMAT]; The Afghanistan's Mujahid Nation's Islamic Unity Movement
[Saeedullah SAEED]; The People of Afghanistan's Democratic Movement
[Sharif NAZARI]; Tribes Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad
Zarif NASERI]; Understanding and Democracy Party of Afghanistan
[Ahamad SHAHEEN]; United Afghanistan Party [Mohammad Wasil RAHIMEE];
United Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Wahidullah SABAWOON]; Young
Afghanistan's Islamic Organization [Sayed Jawad HUSSINEE]; Youth
Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Jamil KARZAI]; note -
includes only political parties approved by the Ministry of Justice

Albania
Agrarian Environmentalist Party or PAA [Lufter XHUVELI];
Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Nard NDOKA]; Communist Party of
Albania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance Party or AD
[Neritan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Legality
Movement Party or PLL [Ekrem SPAHIA]; Liberal Union Party or BLD
[Arjan STAROVA]; Movement for National Development or LZhK [Dashamir
SHEHI]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Artur ROSHI];
New Democratic Party or PDR [Genc POLLO]; Party of National Unity or
PUK [Idajet BEQIRI]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social
Democracy Party of Albania or PDSSh [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic
Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement for Integration
or LSI [Ilir META]; Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA]; Union for
Human Rights Party or PBDNj [Vangjel DULE]

Algeria
Ahd 54 [Ali Fauzi REBAINE]; Algerian National Front or FNA
[Moussa TOUATI]; Islamic Salvation Front or FIS (outlawed April
1992) [Ali BELHADJ, Dr. Abassi MADANI, Rabeh KEBIR]; National
Democratic Rally (Rassemblement National Democratique) or RND [Ahmed
OUYAHIA]; National Entente Movement or MEN [Ali BOUKHAZNA]; National
Liberation Front or FLN [Abdelaziz BELKHADEM, secretary general];
National Reform Movement or Islah (formerly MRN) [Mohamed BOULAHIA];
National Renewal Party or PRA [Mohamed BENSMAIL]; Rally for Culture
and Democracy or RCD [Said SADI]; Renaissance Movement or EnNahda
Movement [Fatah RABEI]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine Ait
AHMED]; Social Liberal Party or PSL [Ahmed KHELIL]; Society of Peace
Movement or MSP [Boudjerra SOLTANI]; Workers Party or PT [Louisa
HANOUNE]
note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted
in March 1997

American Samoa
Democratic Party [Oreta M. TOGAFAU]; Republican Party
[Tautai A. F. FAALEVAO]

Andorra
Andorran Democratic Center Party (formerly Democratic Party
or PD) and Century 21 or CDA and S21 [Enric TARRADO]; Liberal Party
of Andorra or PLA [Albert PINTAT SANTOLARIA] (formerly Liberal Union
or UL); Social Democratic Party or PS [Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY]
(formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND)

Angola
Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA];
National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputed
between Ngola KABANGU and Lucas NGONDA]; National Union for the
Total Independence of Angola or UNITA (largest opposition party)
[Isaias SAMAKUVA]; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or
MPLA (ruling party in power since 1975) [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS];
Social Renewal Party or PRS [Eduardo KUANGANA]
note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections
but only won a few seats; they and more than 100 other smaller
parties have little influence in the National Assembly

Anguilla
Anguilla United Front or AUF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor
BANKS] (a coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the
Anguilla National Alliance or ANA); Anguilla United Movement or AUM
[Hubert HUGHES]; Anguilla Progressive Party or APP [Roy ROGERS];
Anguilla Strategic Alternative or ANSA [Edison BAIRD]

Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD];
Barbudans for a Better Barbuda [Ordrick SAMUEL]; Barbuda People's
Movement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]; Barbuda People's Movement for
Change [Arthur NIBBS]; United Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin
SPENCER] (a coalition of three parties - Antigua Caribbean
Liberation Movement or ACLM, Progressive Labor Movement or PLM,
United National Democratic Party or UNDP)

Argentina
Coalicion Civica (a broad coalition loosely affiliated
with Elisa CARRIO); Front for Victory or FV (a broad coalition,
including elements of the UCR and numerous provincial parties)
[Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER]; Interbloque Federal or IF (a broad
coalition of approximately 12 parties including PRO); Justicialist
Front or FJ; Justicialist Party or PJ (Peronist umbrella political
organization); Radical Civic Union or UCR [Gerardo MORALES];
Republican Proposal or PRO (including Federal Recreate Movement or
RECREAR [Ricardo LOPEZ MURPHY] and Commitment for Change or CPC
[Mauricio MACRI]); Socialist Party or PS [Ruben GIUSTINIANI]; Union
For All [Patricia BULLRICH]; several provincial parties

Armenia
Armenian National Movement or ANM [Ararat ZURABYAN];
Armenian People's Party [Tigran KARAPETYAN]; Armenian Ramkavar
Azadagan Party Alliance or HRAK (includes former Dashink Party,
National Revival Party, and Ramkavar Liberal Party); Armenian
Revolutionary Federation ("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Hrant MARKARYAN];
Heritage Party [Raffi HOVHANNISYAN]; National Democratic Party
[Shavarsh KOCHARIAN]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen
MANUKIAN]; National Unity Party [Artashes GEGHAMYAN]; People's Party
of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; Prosperous Armenia [Gagik
TSAROUKYAN]; Republic Party [Aram SARKISYAN]; Republican Party of
Armenia or HHK [Serzh SARGSIAN]; Rule of Law Party (Orinats Yerkir)
[Artur BAGHDASARIAN]; Union of Constitutional Rights [Hrant
KHACHATURYAN]; United Labor Party [Gurgen ARSENYAN]

Aruba
Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA [Robert WEVER]; Aruban
Liberal Organization or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic
Movement or MPA [Monica ARENDS-KOCK]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA
[Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Mike EMAN]; People's
Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; Real Democracy
or PDR [Andin BIKKER]; RED [Rudy LAMPE]; Workers Political Platform
or PTT [Gregorio WOLFF]

Australia
Australian Democrats [Lyn ALLISON]; Australian Greens [Bob
BROWN]; Australian Labor Party [Kevin RUDD]; Country Liberal Party
[Jodeen CARNEY]; Family First Party [Steve FIELDING]; Liberal Party
[Malcolm TURNBULL]; The Nationals [Warren TRUSS]

Austria
Alliance for the Future of Austria or BZOe [Stefan PETZNER];
Austrian People's Party or OeVP [Wilhelm MOLTERER]; Freedom Party of
Austria or FPOe [Heinz Christian STRACHE]; Social Democratic Party
of Austria or SPOe [Werner FAYMANN]; The Greens [Alexander VAN DER
BELLEN]

Azerbaijan
Azadliq (Freedom) coalition (Popular Front Party, Liberal
Party, Citizens' Development Party); Azerbaijan Democratic Party or
ADP [Sardar JALALOGLU]; Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party (ADRP)
Youth Movement [Ramin HAJILI]; Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF, now
split in two [Ali KARIMLI, leader of "Reform" APF party; Mirmahmud
MIRALI-OGLU, leader of "Classic" APF party]; Azerbaijan Public Forum
[Eldar NAMAZOV]; Citizens' Development Party [Ali ALIYEV]; Civil
Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Dalga Youth Movement
[Vafa JAFAROVA]; Green Party [Mais GULALIYEV and Tarana MAMMADOVA];
Hope (Umid) Party [Iqbal AGAZADE]; Ireli Youth Movement [Jeyhun
OSMANLI, Roya TALIBOVA, Farhad MAMMADOV, Elnara GARIBOVA, Elnur
MAMMADOV, Ziya ALIYEV]; Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAILOV]; Liberal
Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shovkat HACIYEVA]; Magam Youth Movement
[Emin HUSEYNOV]; Motherland Party [Fazail AGAMALI]; Musavat
(Equality) [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; Musavat Party Youth Movement
[Elnur MAMMADLI]; National Democratic Party or Grey Wolves
(Nationalist, Pan-Turkic) [Iskender HAMIDOV]; Open Society Party
[Rasul GULIYEV, in exile in the US]; Party for National Independence
of Azerbaijan or PNIA [Ayaz RUSTAMOV]; Popular Front Party Youth
Movement [Seymur KHAZIYEV]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or
SDP [Araz ALIZADE and Ayaz MUTALIBOV (in exile)]; Turkish
Nationalist Party [Vugar BAYTURAN]; United Azerbaijan Party [Karrar
ABILOV]; United Azerbaijan National Unity Party [Hajibaba AZIMOV];
United Party [Tahir KARIMLI]; Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party [President
Ilham ALIYEV]; Yeni Azerbaijan Party Youth Movement [Ramil HASANOV];
Yox (No) Youth Movement [Ali ISMAYILOV]
note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties;

Bahamas, The
Free National Movement or FNM [Hubert INGRAHAM];
Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE]

Bahrain
political parties prohibited but political societies were
legalized per a July 2005 law