1997 in History

The United States helps mediate the Hebron Protocol during the final phase of Christopher's tenure

John Giheno becomes acting Prime Minister during the Sandline crisis

Forms a new government dominated by the victorious AFDL after the fall of Mobutu.

Seizes power as chairman of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council

Johnny Paul Koroma becomes head of the AFRC military junta

Represents Ireland as leaders reach political agreement on the Amsterdam Treaty.

Represents Germany as European leaders begin the Amsterdam summit that reaches political agreement on treaty reform.

Represents Italy as leaders reach political agreement on the Amsterdam Treaty.

Represents Greece as leaders reach political agreement on the Amsterdam Treaty.

Chirac joined European leaders in reaching political agreement on the Amsterdam Treaty.

Jospin represented France's government as the Amsterdam Treaty was signed to reform the European Union.

Brown is appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer after Labour's election victory.

Mobutu appoints General Likulia to organise the government's final resistance.

Scores a hat-trick against Bolton Wanderers and surpasses Cliff Bastin as Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer.

The fashion designer is assassinated

Brown grants the Bank operational independence to set interest rates.

Brown grants the Bank of England operational independence over interest-rate decisions.

Bitter Sweet Symphony enters the UK singles chart and peaks at number two.

The Zimbabwe dollar falls sharply after major unbudgeted government commitments.

China and Russia agree on a border, Presidents Yeltsin and Jiang reach accord in a Shanghai meeting on clear border stretching from Sea of Japan to Kazakhstan

Fights forces loyal to Denis Sassou Nguesso after political tensions erupt into civil war.

The Referendum Party contests the general election demanding a vote on EU membership.

Diannas funeral is broadcast and watched by an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide

Diana is buried, The Prince of Wales, her sons, her mother, siblings, a close friend, and a clergyman are present, in an ornamental lake known as The Round Oval within Althorp Parks Pleasure Garden

Promotes younger reformers, including Anatoly Chubais and Boris Nemtsov, to senior government posts.

Continues Genesis with Mike Rutherford and Ray Wilson on Calling All Stations.

Sings on Calling All Stations, the only Genesis studio album with Ray Wilson.

Galileo flies close to Callisto, adding detailed imaging and geophysical measurements of the heavily cratered moon.

Galileo performs another targeted Callisto encounter late in its primary mission.

Releases the single, "Candle in the Wind" as a tribute to Princess Diana

Nazarbayev transfers the capital from Almaty to Akmola

Kabila's alliance enters Kinshasa and ends Mobutu's rule.

Sees AFDL forces capture Kisangani, opening the route toward western Zaire.

Takes control of Lubumbashi as AFDL advances collapse Mobutu's authority across the country.

The IRA restores its ceasefire

China restricts the use of the Internet, adopts strict rules against use of computers in activities it deems harmful to national security and policies

Scores seconds after entering as a substitute with a long-range chip over Angelo Peruzzi.

Appointed Chancellor of Austria

The Chemical Weapons Convention enters into force, establishing a verified global chemical disarmament regime.

David Brandt becomes Chief Minister during the volcanic crisis period

Clinton sends Carrier in Warning to Iraq, dispatches George Washington and four other ships to join the Nimitz in Persian Gulf as further sign that the US is prepared to act to prevent Iraq from developing ability to use chemical or biological weopons

Clinton sends Carrier in Warning to Iraq, dispatches George Washington and four other ships to join the Nimitz in Persian Gulf as further sign that the US is prepared to act to prevent Iraq from developing ability to use chemical or biological weopons

Clinton welcomes Saddam Husseins decision to back down and allow United Nations inspectors to resume search for weapons of mass destruction

Clinton welcomes Saddam Husseins decision to back down and allow United Nations inspectors to resume search for weapons of mass destruction

Directs Comedian Harmonists.

Winnie Mandela rejects nomination, her political career ends as she announces she will not run for Deputy President of African National Congress following her questioning at Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which investigated her role in murder

Minor amendments are agreed to the European treaties

Delegates from more than 150 countries reach tentative accord at a conference in Japan on measures obliging industrialized nations to reduce industrial emissions believed to be warming the Earths atmosphere

Nations sign a Treaty banning land mines, about 120 nations at the Ottawa conference agree to outlaw global production and use, the United States, China, and Russia attend but do not sign Treaty

"Yes-Yes" vote in referendum on Scottish Parliament

"Yes" vote in the referendum on Welsh Assembly. A majority of 50.3% in Wales vote in favour of a Welsh assembly

The Government of Wales Bill is introduced to the House of Commons

Introduces the Scotland Bill to the Commons, for a Scottish Parliament. Introduces the Scotland Bill, legislative powers for a Scottish Parliament

A new constitution comes into effect

Kabila issues a decree concentrating legislative and executive authority in the presidency.

Works on Barcelona's coaching staff as the club defeats Real Betis in the Copa del Rey final.

Brown reduces the main corporation-tax rate in his first Budget.

Boro Bosic becomes co-chairman of the Council of Ministers

Haris Silajdzic becomes co-chairman of the first state Council of Ministers

South Koreans elect a dissident as President & overthrow the political establishment and choose Kim Dae Jung, long-time pro-democracy campaigner

Police seize Kenneth Kaunda in a crackdown on opposition leaders believed to be involved in attempted coup in the autumn

Kabbah is overthrown by soldiers of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council

Hoyle received the Crafoord Prize for pioneering work on nuclear processes in stars and stellar evolution.

Scores the penalty that gives Barcelona victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the European final.

Assists Bobby Robson as Barcelona defeat Paris Saint-Germain to win the European Cup Winners' Cup.

Banzer returns to office as an elected civilian president.

Participates in the Denver summit as Russia becomes more fully integrated into meetings of leading industrial powers.

Mobutu leaves the capital as Laurent Kabila's forces approach.

Scotland backs devolution by referendum

Wales backs devolution by referendum

Iraq Expels US Weapons Inspectors, President Clinton denounces the action but refrains from military response

Iraq Expels US Weapons Inspectors, President Clinton denounces the action but refrains from military response

Appointed Director General of the IAEA

Granted the dissolution of Parliament

Guides Borussia Dortmund to the club's first European Cup by defeating Juventus.

Releases Earthling, incorporating drum and bass and electronic music into his late-1990s sound.

ECOMOG forces confront the AFRC and RUF junta in Sierra Leone

Russia and Belarus sign a union charter for economic, military and political cooperation

Idriss Deby wins 70% of the vote, he defeats Abdelkader Wadal Kamougue, a southern leader who led coup in 1975

Presents the Joint Initiative for More Jobs in Eastern Germany

The Bank of England is made independent & free to set interest rates. Chancellor Gordon Brown gives the Bank of England the freedom to set interest rates

The United Nations imposes sanctions on Iraq, the Security Council votes unanimously for moves including ban on foreign travel by Iraqi officials who do not cooperate with the United Nations disarmament commission

The United Nations imposes sanctions on Iraq, the Security Council votes unanimously for moves including ban on foreign travel by Iraqi officials who do not cooperate with the United Nations disarmament commission

South Korea accepts $55 Billion Loan Package, formally agrees to terms for international economic rescue effort, the largest ever, revamping of economy expected to cause hardship for millions

The Sun announces it will back Blair at the general election

Says of the election, "We won as New Labour, we will govern as New Labour". Labour wins the largest number of seats & the highest majority in its history. Labour wins 43.2% of votes cast & 418 MPs, Commons majority of 179

Labour win the election by a landslide ending 18 yrs of Tory rule

Wins the Sedgfield election with a majority of 25,143

Leads Labour to a landslide general election victory.

Tony Blair becomes the youngest Prime Minister since 1812

The Conservatives increase their majority

The Conservatives increase their majority

South Koreans elect a dissident as President & overthrow the political establishment and choose Kim Dae Jung, long-time pro-democracy campaigner

Announces a general election to be held 1st May

The Conservatives win 30.7% of votes cast & 165 MPs

Appoints Jenkins to chair the Independent Commission on the Voting System.

Is appointed to chair the Independent Commission on the Voting System.

Brown concludes that the five economic tests for early euro entry are not met.

His three-decade rule of Zaire collapses.

The Thorbjørn Jagland Government ends in Oslo, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Norway.

Britain signs up to the EUs Social Chapter

Galileo passes within about 586 kilometres of Europa and images additional regions of its fractured icy surface.

Galileo makes a close Europa flyby as the extended Galileo Europa Mission begins.

Galileo results indicate Europa has a differentiated interior with a metallic core and rocky mantle.

Galileo returns to Europa for another close encounter near the end of the primary mission.

Mobutu briefly reappoints Tshisekedi as rebel forces advance toward the capital.

Faces regional financial turmoil soon after ASEAN accession

Brown introduces a windfall tax on privatised utilities and announces employment measures.

Begins the First Kjell Magne Bondevik Government in Oslo and serves as Prime Minister of Norway.

Is appointed the first Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Brown sets five economic tests governing any decision to join the European single currency.

Brown tells Parliament that euro membership depends on five economic assessments.

Leaves the country as AFDL forces approach Kinshasa and his thirty-two-year rule collapses.

Scores a spectacular bending free kick against France.

NASA approves an extended Galileo mission emphasizing repeated close encounters with Europa.

Galileo conducts another Ganymede encounter, extending surface, plasma and magnetic observations.

Galileo returns to Ganymede for another targeted encounter during its primary Jupiter tour.

Nawaz Sharif's party wins a commanding parliamentary majority.

Nawaz Sharif's party wins a commanding parliamentary majority.

General election outcome recorded for Nawaz Sharif: Nawaz Sharif's party wins a commanding parliamentary majority.

Government context for this general election: Nawaz Sharif's party wins a commanding parliamentary majority.

Brown retains Dunfermline East during Labour's landslide general-election victory.

Appointed GeneralSecretary of the United Nations

Becomes general secretary of the Workers Party.

Removes senior officials linked to a publishing-fee scandal while retaining Anatoly Chubais in government.

Tony Abbott becomes Governor of Montserrat during volcano recovery

Silas Atopare becomes Governor-General of Papua New Guinea

Delegates from more than 150 countries reach tentative accord at a conference in Japan on measures obliging industrialized nations to reduce industrial emissions believed to be warming the Earths atmosphere

Assumes the title Head of State after the AFRC coup

Declared cancer-free

Backs implementation of the Hebron redeployment agreement as the Clinton administration supports the Israeli Palestinian accord.

Backs implementation of the Hebron redeployment agreement.

Approves the Hebron redeployment agreement with Netanyahu after US mediation.

Signs the Hebron Protocol with Netanyahu after US mediation.

Provides assurances linked to the Hebron Protocol as the United States supervises the final agreement.

Announces that Netanyahu and Arafat have reached agreement on Israeli redeployment in Hebron.

Represents the Palestinian side in arrangements for Israeli redeployment from Hebron.

Agrees to redeploy Israeli forces from most of Hebron while retaining Israeli control over H2 areas.

Signs the Hebron Protocol arranging Israeli redeployment from most of the city.

Prepares Palestinian security coordination linked to the transfer of authority in H1 Hebron.

Mediates final understandings between Israeli and Palestinian leaders before the Hebron agreement is concluded.

Oversees Israeli military preparations for redeployment from parts of Hebron after the protocol.

Encourages Netanyahu and Arafat to preserve the Oslo process as Hebron negotiations reach agreement.

The Palestinian Authority assumes control over most of Hebron after the redeployment agreement

Israeli forces redeploy from most of Hebron while retaining control over areas with Israeli settlers

Pulp's Help the Aged reaches number eight on the UK singles chart.

Agrees with Bill Clinton to deepen NATO-Russia consultation while continuing to oppose NATO enlargement.

Meets Bill Clinton in Helsinki for talks dominated by NATO enlargement and strategic arms control.

Appointed High Commissioners for Human Rights for the United Nations

Appointed High Commissioners for Human Rights for the United Nations

Hosty donated papers concerning the FBI, Lee and Marina Oswald, the Kennedy assassination, and his Bureau career to the National Archives.

Hawley operates Discovery's robotic arm to capture Hubble and secure the telescope for Servicing Mission 2.

Lee helps replace a Data Interface Unit that routes commands and information between Hubble spacecraft systems.

Smith attaches thermal insulation over key Hubble data-processing, electronics and instrument-telemetry areas during the final spacewalk.

Harbaugh helps replace a degraded Fine Guidance Sensor and upgrade Hubble's precision pointing capability.

Lee helps replace a reaction wheel assembly used to turn Hubble toward targets and maintain stable pointing.

Bowersox commands Discovery's return after Hubble is released as a more capable observatory following Servicing Mission 2.

Bowersox commands Discovery as the second Hubble servicing mission launches to install new instruments and maintain the observatory.

Tanner helps replace electronics that control the positioning of Hubble's solar arrays.

Smith helps replace a reel-to-reel recorder with a digital solid-state recorder capable of simultaneous recording and playback.

Tanner helps replace a failed Engineering and Science Tape Recorder during the second servicing mission.

Harbaugh installs new thermal blankets over degraded insulation around Hubble's light shield.

Inaugurated as President of the USA, 2nd term

Sworn in as President of Zaire in a stadium in front of 35,000 people

Russia and Belarus sign a union charter for economic, military and political cooperation

"Yes-Yes" vote in referendum on Scottish Parliament

"Yes" vote in referendum on Welsh Assembly

Introduces the Scotland Bill, legislative powers for a Scottish Parliament

"Yes-Yes" vote in referendum on Scottish Parliament

Introduces the Scotland Bill, legislative powers for a Scottish Parliament

"Yes" vote in referendum on Welsh Assembly

China and Russia agree on a border, Presidents Yeltsin and Jiang reach accord in a Shanghai meeting on clear border stretching from Sea of Japan to Kazakhstan

Appointed Director General of the IAEA

Nations sign a Treaty banning land mines, about 120 nations at the Ottawa conference agree to outlaw global production and use, the United States, China, and Russia attend but do not sign Treaty

The US imposes sanctions on Sudan, Clinton orders stricter prohibitions for alleged sponsorship of terrorism and human rights abuses

The United Nations imposes sanctions on Iraq, the Security Council votes unanimously for moves including ban on foreign travel by Iraqi officials who do not cooperate with the United Nations disarmament commission

The United Nations imposes sanctions on Iraq, the Security Council votes unanimously for moves including ban on foreign travel by Iraqi officials who do not cooperate with the United Nations disarmament commission

Spencer leads Hubble observations of an enormous volcanic plume rising hundreds of kilometres above Jupiter's moon Io.

Is honored for identifying the first enzyme that actively transports ions.

The IRA restores its ceasefire

Government record concerning the IRA: The IRA restores its ceasefire

Historical IRA record under Labour Party Government: The IRA restores its ceasefire

IRA context for Anthony Charles Lynton Blair: The IRA restores its ceasefire

The nation is named the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and is recognized by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

Takes power after ADFL forces enter Kinshasa.

Introduces the Scotland Bill to the Commons, for a Scottish Parliament

Scores a celebrated hat-trick in Arsenal's 3-3 Premier League draw at Leicester City.

Releases Life Thru a Lens, his debut solo studio album.

Supports launching the Union's enlargement process with countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Cyprus.

Chirac supported opening the enlargement process with Central and Eastern European applicant states.

Hubble spectroscopy maps rapidly moving gas in galaxy M84 and records a clear dynamical signature of a supermassive black hole.

Announces he is leaving his wife

Liam Gallagher marries Patsy Kensit

Liam Gallagher marries Patsy Kensit

Chinese officials and British diplomats meet in Beijing to discuss issues of democracy and human rights

Labour win the election by a landslide ending 18 yrs of Tory rule

Wins the Sedgfield election with a majority of 25,143

Elected Member of Parliament for Huntingdon, majority 18,140

Blair decides to save the Millenium Dome

Leaves the country as rebel forces approach Kinshasa.

Rwandan and Ugandan support is crucial to his victory.

Leads the IAEA when the Board approves the Model Additional Protocol.

Brown establishes a committee-based system for independent interest-rate decisions.

Police seize Kenneth Kaunda in a crackdown on opposition leaders believed to be involved in attempted coup in the autumn

Signs the NATO-Russia Founding Act, establishing a formal framework for consultation and security cooperation.

Brown announces employment support for young people funded by the windfall tax.

Says of the election, "We won as New Labour, we will govern as New Labour"

Smith helps install NICMOS, giving Hubble powerful new near-infrared imaging and spectroscopic capability.

Receives half the chemistry prize for discovering sodium-potassium ATPase.

Oasis much anticipated third album, Be Here Now, is released

Meets Laurent Kabila aboard the South African ship Outeniqua during Nelson Mandela's unsuccessful mediation effort.

Tai participates in parliamentary reform connected with Jordanian political and historical developments.

Appointed Party Leader of the Conservative Party

Blair travels to Belfast to restart the peace talks

The IRA restores its ceasefire

Signs a peace treaty with Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov pledging to reject force in future relations.

Created Baron Shore of Stepney

Pol Pot arrested by the Ta Mok faction

Suspends political party activity after taking power and concentrates authority in the new presidency.

Chinese officials and British diplomats meet in Beijing to discuss issues of democracy and human rights

The US imposes sanctions on Sudan, Clinton orders stricter prohibitions for alleged sponsorship of terrorism and human rights abuses

Appointed High Commissioners for Human Rights for the United Nations

Appointed High Commissioners for Human Rights for the United Nations

Chinese officials and British diplomats meet in Beijing to discuss issues of democracy and human rights

Kazhegeldin resigns as Prime Minister

Sangheli leaves office after more than four years as Prime Minister

Snegur leaves office after Moldova's first post-independence presidency

Appointed interim President of Ecuador after the removal of Abdala Bucaram

Appointed acting President of Ecuador during the constitutional crisis

Appointed President of Ecuador

Appointed President of Ecuador

K.R. Narayanan takes office as the tenth President of India.

Muhammad Khatami is elected President of Iran

Organic Law organizes the Panama Canal Authority before the canal transfer

South Koreans elect a dissident as President & overthrow the political establishment and choose Kim Dae Jung, long-time pro-democracy campaigner

Appointed President of Zaire

Petru Lucinschi becomes President after defeating Snegur in the 1996 election

Kabila takes the presidential oath and establishes a new central government.

Konare wins a second presidential term during opposition-boycotted elections.

Farooq Leghari resigns after a confrontation with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Appointed Prime Minister after the Socialist Party election victory

Appointed Prime Minister of Albania

I.K. Gujral becomes Prime Minister after the fall of the Deve Gowda government.

Appointed Prime Minister of Norway, 1st term

Nawaz Sharif begins his second term as Prime Minister.

Appointed Prime Minister of Poland, 1st term

Appointed Prime Minister of Poland

Chan resumes office briefly before the 1997 election transition

Nurlan Balgimbayev becomes Prime Minister

Ion Ciubuc becomes Prime Minister under President Petru Lucinschi

Bill Skate becomes Prime Minister after the 1997 national election

Deputises for Prime Minister John Major at Commons questions while Major is returning from an overseas visit.

"Yes-Yes" vote in referendum on Scottish Parliament

Scotland backs devolution by referendum

"Yes" vote in the referendum on Welsh Assembly. "Yes" vote in referendum on Welsh Assembly

Wales backs devolution by referendum

47 Labour MPs vote against the cut in lone-parent benefits

Appointed chair of the Independent Commission on the Voting System.

The student fees plan is announced

Pledges to reduce the maximum length of the working week from 39 to 35 hrs by 2000

The Bank of England is made independent & free to set interest rates

Resigns from office

Announces resignation as Party Leader of the Conservative Party

Resigns as manager of Newcastle

Kabila restores the name Democratic Republic of the Congo after taking power.

Returns to power after his forces, backed by Angolan troops, defeat Pascal Lissouba's government.

Scores two first-half goals as Borussia Dortmund defeat Juventus 3-1.

AFRC invites the RUF into a junta alliance in Freetown

Hong Kong is returned to China

Chinese officials and British diplomats meet in Beijing to discuss issues of democracy and human rights

Receives the Union Flag at the end of 156 years of colonial rule

Chinese officials and British diplomats meet in Beijing to discuss issues of democracy and human rights

Russia and Belarus sign a union charter for economic, military and political cooperation

Signs a union treaty with Belarus that deepens political and economic integration.

Reaches agreement with Jiang Zemin on demarcation of most of the long eastern Russia-China border.

Meets Jiang Zemin as Russia and China deepen their strategic partnership and coordinate on international issues.

The new safeguards instrument expands access to information and locations.

The US imposes sanctions on Sudan, Clinton orders stricter prohibitions for alleged sponsorship of terrorism and human rights abuses

The United Nations imposes sanctions on Iraq, the Security Council votes unanimously for moves including ban on foreign travel by Iraqi officials who do not cooperate with the United Nations disarmament commission

The United Nations imposes sanctions on Iraq, the Security Council votes unanimously for moves including ban on foreign travel by Iraqi officials who do not cooperate with the United Nations disarmament commission

Launches Conservative opposition to joining the euro.

Plan to exempt Formula I from tobacco advertising ban is reported

Blair apologises on TV for the handling of the Ecclestone affair. Bernie Ecclestone reveals 1 million pound donation to Labour

Chan steps aside during the Sandline affair and political crisis

Launches a reform agenda known as the Seven Main Tasks, emphasizing wage arrears, social support, monopolies and corruption.

Brown says Britain will not join the single currency during that Parliament.

Accepts the European Union Social Chapter after Labour wins office.

Execution of Son Sen ordered by Pol Pot

Military council is renamed State Peace and Development Council under Than Shwe

Supports European Council agreement on the Stability and Growth Pact and the new exchange-rate mechanism.

Contests Stafford for the Conservatives and is defeated in the Labour landslide.

Lee helps install the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph, extending Hubble's ability to study spectra across a broad wavelength range.

1st day of the G7 summit

Ta Mok ousts Pol Pot from leadership

Takes office as Taoiseach and leads a Fianna Fail-led coalition.

Labour pledges not to raise personal tax rates during 1st term in office

The Drugs Don't Work becomes The Verve's first UK number one single.

Releases Time Out of Mind.

Begins the Tosovsky Government in Prague and serves as Prime Minister of Czech Republic.

Produces one of international football's most famous set-piece goals.

Leaves Newcastle for 450,000 pounds, joining Bolton Wanderers

Joins Juventus from AC Milan and becomes an important midfielder for the Italian club.

Brown formally takes charge of HM Treasury as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Dini signs Italy's instrument at Amsterdam, accepting reforms to Union institutions, employment policy and justice cooperation.

Greater citizenship and rights of individuals, more democracy & increased powers for the European Parliament, a new title on employment & an EU Community area of freedom, security and justice

The Treaty of Amsterdam amending the Treaty of the European Union, the Treaties establishing the European Communities and certain related acts, commonly known as the Amsterdam Treaty.

The beginnings of a common foreign EU and security policy (CFSP) and the reform of the institutions in the run-up to enlargement. Substantial changes to the Treaty on European Union, EU, which had been signed at Maastricht in 1992.

Pangalos signs Amsterdam's reform treaty, committing Greece to changes in institutions, employment policy and justice cooperation.

Kinkel signs Germany's instrument at Amsterdam, accepting reforms to Union institutions, employment policy and justice cooperation.

Clinton Extends Troops Bosnia Agreement, decides G.I.s should remain past scheduled departure in June as part of peacekeeping force

In France, Chevenement works to preserve practical border, police and justice cooperation during the transition into EU law. Paris also emphasises effective controls at the Schengen area's external frontier.

During the Schengen process, Dehaene supports Amsterdam's decision to bring the Schengen acquis inside the European Union framework. Belgian officials favour gradual implementation backed by shared security measures.

Derycke backs the shift from separate Schengen machinery to cooperation through EU institutions. Belgian policy links freer movement with close Benelux cooperation.

During the Schengen process, Jospin endorses Amsterdam's Schengen Protocol, which brings the acquis inside the European Union treaty system. The French approach stresses both free movement and compensating security measures.

In Germany, Kanther backs continued operational cooperation while Schengen moves from an intergovernmental system into EU law. Bonn also backs intensive police cooperation between participating states.

Kinkel supports giving existing Schengen rules formal standing inside the EU treaty structure. German policy links open internal borders with stronger external controls.

During the Schengen process, Kohl backs Amsterdam's decision to place the Schengen acquis within the institutions of the European Union. The German approach combines mobility with coordinated frontier safeguards.

During the Schengen process, Kok supports Amsterdam's protocol for absorbing the Schengen acquis into the Union's legal machinery. The Dutch approach combines mobility with common security safeguards.

In Netherlands, Sorgdrager helps maintain practical policing and justice links while Schengen is folded into the European Union. The Hague also supports common visa rules and effective external controls.

van Mierlo backs replacing the separate Schengen structure with cooperation conducted through EU institutions. Dutch policy stresses coordinated justice, policing and migration procedures.

In Belgium, Vande Lanotte supports uninterrupted border, police and justice cooperation during the move into EU law. Brussels also stresses coordinated policing and external-border safeguards.

Vedrine accepts moving Schengen rules from intergovernmental cooperation into the Union's legal order. French policy couples freer movement with stronger police coordination.

Performs at Tribal Gathering, signalling renewed live activity after a quieter period.

Blair takes office and retains Trident as Britain's strategic nuclear deterrent

Ratifies the Chemical Weapons Convention for the United States after Senate consent.

Urban Hymns enters the UK albums chart at number one and becomes The Verve's defining commercial success.

Brown uses a one-off utility levy to finance employment and training programmes.

Mugabe authorises unbudgeted compensation payments for liberation war veterans.

Iraq Expels US Weapons Inspectors, President Clinton denounces the action but refrains from military response

Clinton sends carrier warning to Iraq, dispatches George Washington and four other ships to join the Nimitz in Persian Gulf as further sign that the US is prepared to act to prevent Iraq from developing ability to use chemical or biological weapons

Clinton welcomes Saddam Hussein's decision to back down and allow United Nations inspectors to resume search for weapons of mass destruction

Iraq Expels US Weapons Inspectors, President Clinton denounces the action but refrains from military response

Clinton sends carrier warning to Iraq, dispatches George Washington and four other ships to join the Nimitz in Persian Gulf as further sign that the US is prepared to act to prevent Iraq from developing ability to use chemical or biological weapons

Clinton welcomes Saddam Hussein's decision to back down and allow United Nations inspectors to resume search for weapons of mass destruction

Iraq still bars inspectors from palaces, military bases, and intelligence centres

Brown imposes a windfall tax on previously privatised utility companies.

Birth of Gabriel Luke Beauregard Jagger, Jerry Hall, gives birth to Mick Jaggers son Gabriel Luke Beauregard

Death of Aldo Rossi

Calls Diana Princess of Wales, "the peoples princess"

Death of Bao Dai

Death of Deng Xiaoping

Death of Deng Xiaoping

Diana dies after a high speed car accident in the Pont dAlma road tunnel in Paris along with Dodi Al-Fayed and the Acting Security Manager of the H“tel Ritz Paris, Henri Paul, who was instructed to drive the hired Mercedes-Benz through Paris secretl

Diannas funeral is broadcast and watched by an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide

Death of Fred Zinnemann

The fashion designer is assassinated

Death of James Maitland Stewart

Death of James Stewart

Death of Juzo Itami

Dies in exile in Morocco several months after being driven from power by the First Congo War.

Death of Mobutu Sese Seko

Death of Robert Mitchum

Death of Sese Seko Nkuku Ngbendu Banga Mobutu, in exile in Rabat, Morocco, from prostate cancer which had been developing since 1962

Death of Frank Launder

Death of Stephane Grappelli

Death of Tom Parker

Death of Toshiro Mifune