Today's Story Line

A lesson from the 20th century's world wars is that Germany should be integrated into a more unified Europe and the wider world. But can the world be integrated into Germany? A new government in Bonn plans to give citizenship to millions of resident foreigners - mainly Turks. It has touched off as much controversy as a plan to put a Holocaust memorial in Berlin. Quote of note: This plan threatens "the foundation of identity for the German nation." - parliamentary delegate Wolfgang Zeitlmann.

America's war on drugs may not make much progress until Latin America's drug center, Colombia, ends its anachronistic civil war. A new president is straining politically to make peace with the largest, Marxist rebel group. Quote of note: "Colombia cannot continue divided in three irreconcilable nations: one which kills, another which dies, and a third, horrified, which holds its head and covers its eyes." - President Andrs Pastrana.

We often highlight creative solutions for the poorer nations. In Brazil, a rap group uses its lyrics to give hope to young people. And in Africa, new technology will make radios more affordable.

English traditions are falling like foxes in hunting season. Now a landowner wants to give the boot to an ancient custom of letting people ramble across private property.

- Clayton Jones World editor

REPORTERS ON THE JOB REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEONE: Nearly 1,000 journalists descended on a small town in Colombia to witness the opening of peace talks last week. With only a few telephone lines available to the outside world, Monitor contributor David Aquila Lawrence had to pay a local telephone operator to work overtime so he could file a story. As it was, a noisy electricity generator, set up to power the event, forced him to make the call from under a desk.

UPDATE ON a MONITOR STORY CENTRAL AMERICANS IN THE US: World compassion toward hurricane-hit Central America just keeps on coming. The latest: The United States will not force some 150,000 illegal immigrants from Nicaragua and Honduras to return home for at least 18 months. And as many as 165,000 illegal immigrants from Guatemala and 335,000 from El Salvador - two countries where the devastation was less - can avoid deportation until March 8. US officials figure that these immigrants will be able to send home millions of dollars if they are allowed to keep working in the US. And on Feb. 10, President Clinton flies to areas hit by hurricane Mitch and will review ways the US and other nations can help with the recovery.

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