August 2001 News and Events

Updated July 10, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

World

Bosnian Serb Convicted by Hague Court (Aug. 2): International war-crimes tribunal finds former general Radislav Krstic guilty of genocide for role in execution of some 7,000 unarmed Muslim men and boys in July 1995. He's the first European convicted of genocide.
Russians Free Fulbright Scholar (Aug. 3): District court releases John E. Tobin, 24, American imprisoned on marijuana charges. Russians had earlier suspected him of training to become a U.S. spy.
IRA Arms Proposal Rejected (Aug. 7): North Ireland Protestant leader David Trimble brands as inadequate disarmament plan backed by British and Irish governments.
President of Iran Inaugurated (Aug. 8): Mohammad Khatami promises to enact reforms in his second term.
Suicide Bomber Strikes Jerusalem (Aug. 10): Kills 14 and wounds 130 in crowded Israeli restaurant located in heart of city.
U.S. and British Planes Bomb Iraq (Aug. 10): Hits three air defense sites in retaliation for Saddam Hussein's increasing aggression toward allied pilots.
Britain Suspends Northern Ireland Government (Aug. 10): In temporary move, London hopes to buy time for continued effort to end 30 years of conflict.
China Rejects U.S. Compensation Offer (Aug. 12): Says payment to help cover expenses after U.S. spy plane and Chinese jet collided is inadequate.
Fighting Ends in Macedonia (Aug. 13): Macedonian government sign peace agreement with Albanian rebels. British-led NATO force enters country to disarm guerrillas.
Japanese Reject History Textbook (Aug. 15): Most school districts refuse to adopt text accused of glossing over nation's wartime atrocities.
Coal Mine Blast Kills 36 in Ukraine (Aug. 19): Underground explosion injures 44. Most serious accident of year in Ukraine's treacherous coal mines.
China Reports AIDS Epidemic (Aug. 23): In policy shift, senior official admits that lax government efforts to control disease led to epidemic.
Israeli Troops Raid Palestinian Town (Aug. 28): Tanks and soldiers seize parts of Beit Jala on West Bank in first foray into Palestinian-ruled zone. (Aug. 30): Israeli forces begin withdrawal after two days, longest stay in a Palestinian-ruled area.
Milosevic to Face Added Charges (Aug. 30): UN tribunal to try former Yugoslav president on expanded accusations, including genocide in Bosnia massacres and war crimes in Croatia.

Nation

House Passes Patients' Rights Bill (Aug. 2): Votes, 218–213, for compromise with president. Democrats say bill favors health maintenance organizations.
Product Safety Nomination Blocked (Aug. 2): Senate committee rejects Mary Sheila Gall, president's choice to head Consumer Product Safety Commission. Vote, 12–11, on party lines.
Senate Approves Farm Subsidy Bill (Aug. 3): Democrats yield to veto threat and accept aid measure containing $2 billion less than they sought.
Bush Allows Stem Cell Research (Aug. 9): In address to nation, president approves use of federal funds for studies on human embryos. But he says research with such funds must be limited to cells that have already been extracted. He declares government will not finance destruction of new embryos.
Budget Surplus Dwindling (Aug. 22): Projections by Bush administration show sharp decline outside of Social Security. Tax cut and economic lag blamed.
Bush Confirms Missile Treaty Withdrawal (Aug. 23): Declares U.S. will abandon 1972 antiballistic missile pact “at a time convenient to America.”
Bush Stands Firm on Spending Goals (Aug. 29): Pledges not to let economic slowdown or diminishing surplus prevent him from increasing military budget, developing missile shield, or increasing education spending.
Bush Agrees to Protect Endangered Species (Aug. 29): In compromise with environmentalists, administration pledges action to protect 29 plant and animal groups.

Business/Science/Society

Clinton Agrees to Sell Memoirs (Aug. 7): Accepts advance of more than $10 million from Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Amount believed to be record for nonfiction book.
Anticholesterol Drug Withdrawal (Aug. 8): Bayer A. G., German manufacturer, removes Baycol from U.S. market, reporting 31 deaths among users.
Patent Complicates Stem Cell Policy (Aug. 16): Patent of the human embryonic stem cell, held by a University of Wisconsin foundation, likely to complicate plan for U.S. financing of limited research.
Ford Cuts 5,000 Salaried Jobs (Aug. 17): Also discloses plans to cut back auto production.
Balloonist Ends World Flight (Aug. 17): Steve Fossett, American millionaire, calls off fifth attempt to be first to complete around the world balloon trip.
Five in Family Slain on West Coast (Aug. 20): Ukrainian immigrant, Nikolay Soltys, 27, stabs wife to death, then drives to home and kills four other relatives.
Federal Reserve Cuts Key Rate (Aug. 21): Reduces basic interest level by another quarter of percentage point.
Condit Defends Record (Aug. 23): In national TV interview, California representative repeats statements that he has no knowledge about the disappearance of former federal intern Chandra Levy. Also admits he had a “very close relationship” with her.